Fort Marcy (3)

 (1861-186?) - A Union U.S. Civil War fort in Fairfax County, Virginia. Named for General Randolph B. Marcy,, Chief of Staff for General George B. McClellan,. Abandoned in 186?. Also known as Fort Baldy Smith after General William F. Smith,, who's troops built the fort.

History


A Union earthworks fort established 24 Sep 1861 and armed with 15 Parrott guns, 2 howitzers, and three mortars. The fort had a perimeter of 338 feet and three outlying gun batteries. The fort was established on the Virginia side of the Potomac River to guard the approaches to the Chain Bridge.

A 17 May 1864 report from the Union Inspector of Artillery noted the following: "Fort Marcy, Maj. Z. L. Anderson commanding.–Garrison, three companies Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery–1 major, 8 commissioned officers, I ordnance-sergeant, 430 men. Armament, two 12-pounder mountain howitzers, three 20-pounder Parrotts, three 10-pounder Parrotts, three 24-pounder siege guns, six 30-pounder Parrotts, two 24-pounder Coehorn mortars, one 10-inch siege mortar. Magazines, one; dry and in good order. Ammunition, full supply and serviceable. Implements, complete and serviceable. Drill in artillery, ordinary; needs improving. Drill in infantry, indifferent; needs much improving. Discipline, indifferent. Garrison stronger than necessary."

Abandoned at the end of the war and returned to the original owners, the Vanderwerken family who retained ownership until World War II.

Current Status
Fort Marcy Park, Fairfax County, Virginia. Administered by the National Park Service. Earthworks, rifle pits in relatively good condition with at least two display cannons. The park parking lot is accessible only from the northbound lane of George Washington Memorial Parkway and not the Southbound lane or Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road).

This park is where the body of Vince Foster was found on 20 Jul 1993, apparently a suicide victim. The body was found on the berm directly in front of the cannon shown below.

See Also:
 * Arlington Line - U.S. Civil War
 * Washington DC Fort Ring
 * Washington DC Defense System - U.S. Civil War

Sources:
 * , page 814

Links:
 * North American Forts - Fort Marcy
 * Wikipedia - Fort Marcy Park
 * NPS - Fort Marcy
 * NPS Civil War Defenses of Washington - Appendix E: General Reports About the Defenses