Crystal City in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Union Soldier
The men who built Fort Runyon and were garrisoned there typified the soldiers of the Union Army. Their ranks were drawn from militia and all-volunteer regiments organized by the states and mustered into national service. They arrived in camp in an array of homemade uniforms, often carrying outdated weapons, and with little or no military training. What began as a rag-tag group became an effective fighting force. Upwards of 10,000 Union soldiers occupied forts in present-day Arlington, safeguarding Washington from direct attack throughout the war.
Section of Fort Runyon, Va., guarding the road to Alexandria, occupied by the Twenty-first Regiment, New York Volunteers, August 1861, from Frank Leslie's Famous Leaders and Battle Scenes of the Civil War, 1861 - 1865.
Erected by The Boeing Company.
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 Defenses of Washington series list. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1861.
Location. 38° 51.919′ N, 77° 2.971′ W. 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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Known Units Garrisoned at Fort Runyon (here, next to this marker); Arlington Transformed by War (here, next to this marker); Fort Runyon after the Civil War (here, next to this marker); The Defenses of Washington (here, next to this marker); The March Across the Long Bridge (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.
Internet Archive
2. Section of Fort Runyon, Va.
Guarding the Road to Alexandria
Guarding the Road to Alexandria
The Twenty-First Regiment, New York Volunteers,
August, 1861.
“Fort Runyon, named after the commander of the New Jersey regiments which were formerly stationed there, entirely commanded the road to Alexandria. Our sketch shows the battery erected on this important point, The spot was a most picturesque one, commanding a splendid view all around, the background being the Potomac and Washington.”
From Frank Leslie's Scenes and Portraits of the Civil War by Frank Leslie, 1894.
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 256 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on January 21, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
