Near Winchester in Frederick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

REPLACED

CHECK OTHERS NEARBY

Constructing Star Fort

"It was hard work"

Photographed by Pete Skillman, January 21, 2017

1. Constructing Star Fort Marker

Inscription. Union Gen. Robert H. Milroy and his division entered Winchester on January 1, 1863. The abolitionist general, who vowed to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation aggressively, soon set to work strengthening the town's defenses. His soldiers rotated various tasks, spending one day per week working on Winchester's defenses, three days on guard duty, and three days dedicated to various camp chores. The schedule meant that on any given day during the first half of 1863, approximately 1,000 Union soldiers labored on Winchester's defenses. The strengthened Fort Garibaldi (renamed Fort Milroy) and West Fort and constructed Star Fort here. The fortification originated in 1861 as a series of gun emplacements.

The construction of Star Fort, called "the large fort," not only offered Milroy a sense of security but also satisfied his sense of justice. Some of the construction materials, in particular the limestone used for the footings on which the artillery pieces stood, came from the home of former U.S. Senator James M. Mason, author of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law. "Today the walls of Mr. Mason's house were pulled down," Winchester resident Cornelia McDonald wrote in her diary on January 20, 1863. "They have taken the stones ... to build their fortifications."

Milroy's soldiers found the labor here grueling. A soldier

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in the 18th Connecticut Infantry wrote that they were "working on the fort and rifle pits, with axe, pick and shovel. ... Many of the boys had never used or handled that kind of tools. It was hard work."

(captions)
(left photo) Gen. Robert H. Milroy Courtesy Jonathan A. Noyalas Collection

(right photo) Sen. James M. Mason Courtesy Library of Congress

(map) Map of Winchester, June 13-15, 1863, with Union forts Courtesy Library of Congress

Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 12.363′ N, 78° 9.864′ W. Marker was near Winchester, Virginia, in Frederick County. It could be reached from Fortress Drive 0.1 miles north of North Frederick Pike (U.S. 522), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 512 Fortress Drive, Winchester VA 22603, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named Constructing Star Fort (here, next to this

May 17, 2014

2. Constructing Star Fort Marker

marker); Duel of the Forts (within shouting distance of this marker); The Retreat (within shouting distance of this marker); The Civilian's War (about 300 feet away); A Place of Refuge (about 400 feet away); Lord Fairfax (approx. ¼ mile away); Fort Collier (approx. 0.6 miles away); George Washington in Winchester (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.

Other markers no longer nearby. Second Battle of Winchester (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Third Battle of Winchester (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Civil War Earthworks (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Star Fort (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Second Battle of Winchester (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by another nearby.

Robert Huston Milroy<br>Officer of the Federal Army<br>(Maj. Gen. from Nov. 29, 1862) image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

3. Robert Huston Milroy
Officer of the Federal Army
(Maj. Gen. from Nov. 29, 1862)

by Brady's National Photographic Portrait Galleries between 1860 and 1865.

James M. Mason<br> U.S. Congressman and Senator from Virginia image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

4. James M. Mason
U.S. Congressman and Senator from Virginia

by Mathew B Brady, approximately 1823-1896

Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2017, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 993 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 21, 2017, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. 2. submitted on January 23, 2017. 3, 4. submitted on September 18, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.