Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Freedom’s Fortress

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

1. Freedom’s Fortress Marker

Inscription. Fort Monroe was the site of Major General Benjamin F. Butler’s decision in 1861 to accept escaping slaves as “contraband of war.” Thousands of former slaves who cast off their bondage and sought sanctuary here called this “The Freedom Fort.” The First and Second Regiments of U.S. Colored Cavalry and Battery B. Second U.S. Colored Light Artillery, were raised here during the Civil War. In 1865, the Bureau for the Relief of Freedmen and Refugees (“Freedmen’s Bureau”) established its state headquarters here.

Erected 1993 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-94.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Forts and Castles • Notable Places • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 37° 0.245′ N, 76° 18.623′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Fort Monroe. Marker is on Main Gate, on the left when traveling east. Marker is in Fort Monroe. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Monroe VA 23651, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Escape To Freedom (here, next to this

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marker); Rodman Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Rodman Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Monroe (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Rodman Gun (about 300 feet away); The Old Cistern (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Fort Monroe (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.

Also see . . .
1. Unofficial Fort Monroe website. (Submitted on August 15, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Fort Monroe National Monument, National Park Service. (Submitted on August 19, 2019.)
3. Fort Monroe (Stone Fort) National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. (Submitted on August 19, 2019.)

Marker in Fortress Monroe image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

2. Marker in Fortress Monroe

Main Gate of Fortress Monroe image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

3. Main Gate of Fortress Monroe

This photo of the entrance to Fort Monroe was taken from in front of the marker.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

4. Fort Monroe

Fort Monroe is America's largest fort and has been garrisoned by the Army continously for over 150 years. Unfortunately, it is scheduled to close in 2011.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,657 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on August 17, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 15, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.