Fort Willard
Fort Willard (1862-1865) - A U.S. Civil War Fort first established in 1862 near present day Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia. Originally Redoubt D near Fort Lyon and later named Fort Willard on 4 Sep 1863 after Colonel George L. Willard who was killed at Gettysburg 2 Jul 1863. Abandoned in 1865 at the end of the War.
History of Fort Willard
Established in 1862 as one of four redoubts in advance of Fort Lyon. After the battle at Gettysburg all four redoubts were were renamed for Union officers killed at that battle. The four newly created forts were Fort Weed, Fort Farnsworth, Fort O'Rourke and Fort Willard. Together with Fort Lyon these forts created a line across the southern approaches to the city of Alexandria.
Established late in 1862 overlooking the low ground along the Potomac River as a six sided redoubt with a ditch and parapet facing to the south and open to the north. The fort had a perimeter of 240 yards containing emplacements for 15 guns, a bombproof and magazine. Two detached batteries protected the flanks. Outbuildings included three barracks, NCO Quarters a guardhouse and officer's quarters.
The fort was abandoned in 1865 at the close of the war.
Current Status
Two markers and earthworks remains at Fort Willard Park in Fairfax County, Virginia. A reproduction cannon is in place. The remains of a magazine and cannon platforms can still be seen. The trace of the fort is almost entirely enclosed within Fort Willard Circle with the main entrance located where Woodmont Road intersects the circle.
USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 1492971
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Location: Alexandria, Fairfax County, Virginia. Maps & Images Lat: 38.78278 Long: -77.06639 |
See Also:
Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 801-802.
- Cooling, Benjamin F. III and Owen, Valton H. II, Mr. Lincoln's Forts: A Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington, Scarecrow Press, 2009, ISBN 0810863073, ISBN 9780810863071, 334 pages, page 65-66.
Links:
- North American Forts - Fort Willard
- Wikipedia - Fort Willard
- HMDB - Fort Willard]
- Fairfax County - Fort Willard Historic Site
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