Crystal City in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Defenses of Washington

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 7, 2019

1. The Defenses of Washington Marker

Inscription.
Fort Runyon was the largest in area of 164 Civil War forts and batteries built in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. The Defenses of Washington, as they were known, formed a 37-mile ring around the capital as protection from Confederate attack.

Fort Runyon initially functioned as a bridgehead protecting the capital from direct assault via the Long Bridge. Later in the war, many of its armaments were moved to fortifications on higher ground, and Fort Runyon served primarily as a supply depot for Union troops as a checkpoint for civilians crossing into the capital.

Erected by The Boeing Company.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Defenses of Washington series list.

Location. 38° 51.923′ N, 77° 2.972′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Crystal City. Marker is on 6th Street South east of Long Bridge Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 929 Long Bridge Drive, Arlington VA 22202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location

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. Arlington Transformed by War (here, next to this marker); The March Across the Long Bridge (here, next to this marker); The Union Soldier (here, next to this marker); Known Units Garrisoned at Fort Runyon (here, next to this marker); Fort Runyon after the Civil War (a few steps from this marker); Fort Runyon: Defending the Capital (a few steps from this marker); A Historic Junction (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); New and Renewed Land (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 7, 2019

2. The Defenses of Washington Marker

Fort Runyon & Fort Jackson<br>Defenses of Washington, 1865 image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

3. Fort Runyon & Fort Jackson
Defenses of Washington, 1865

Detail of Defenses of Washington 1865 by the Engineer Bureau; War Department.
From Celebration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Establishment of the Seat of Government in the the District of Columbia by William V. Cox 1901.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 226 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on January 21, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.