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

Fort C.F. Smith

Defending the Capital

— Defenses of Washington, 1863-1865 —

Fort C.F. Smith Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 15, 2021

1. Fort C.F. Smith Marker

Inscription.

Fort C.F. Smith. Defending the Capital. , Fort C.F. Smith was constructed early in 1863 as part of the expansion and strengthening of the capital's defenses that continued throughout the war. With Forts Strong, Morton, and Woodbury, Fort C.F. Smith formed the outer perimeter of fortifications that protected the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal's Aqueduct Bridge (then located near the present-day Francis Scott Key Bridge)., The fort was built as a lunette with a southern and western face and two flanks, as well as a cremaillere (intended) line on the north side to defend against an attack from the river up the ravines. A road that crossed Spout Run and proceeded up the hill to Fort Strong entered Fort C.F. Smith from the east. The trees from miles around were cut down to provide clear lines of fire for all the forts, and much of the lumber was used to construct the fortifications and support buildings., Fort C.F. Smith had barracks, mess halls, kitchens, officers' quarters, a barn, and a headquarters that stood to your right. When the fort was decommissioned in 1865, the buildings were demolished. No above-ground evidence of their existence remains today., (sidebar) , Charles Ferguson Smith was born in Philadelphia on April 24, 1807, and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1825. Later, when he was commandant there, Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman were cadets, Smith fought in the Mexican War (1846-1848) and, when the Civil War began, was promoted to brigadier general. On February 15, 1862, during Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's siege of Ft. Donelson, Tennessee, Smith's division breached the defenses and prompted the Confederate surrender. When Grant was asked for terms, Smith suggested "unconditional and immediate surrender," a phrase that made "Unconditional Surrender Grant" famous throughout the North. Smith, promoted to major general on March 21, 1862, temporarily commanded the army when Grant was accused of drunkenness. Smith died on April 25, 1862, of an infection after a seemingly minor non-combat injury.

Fort C.F. Smith was constructed early in 1863 as part of the expansion and strengthening of the capital's defenses that continued throughout the war. With Forts Strong, Morton, and Woodbury, Fort C.F. Smith formed the outer perimeter of fortifications that protected the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal's Aqueduct Bridge (then located near the present-day Francis Scott Key Bridge).

The fort was built as a lunette with a southern and western face and two flanks, as well as a cremaillere (intended) line on the north side to defend against an attack from the river up the ravines. A road that crossed Spout Run and proceeded up the hill to Fort Strong entered Fort C.F. Smith from the east. The trees from miles around were cut down to provide clear lines of fire for all the forts, and much of the lumber was used to construct the fortifications and support buildings.

Fort C.F. Smith had barracks, mess halls, kitchens, officers' quarters, a barn, and a headquarters that stood to your right. When the fort was decommissioned in 1865, the buildings were demolished. No above-ground evidence of their existence remains today.

(sidebar)
Charles Ferguson Smith was born in Philadelphia on April 24, 1807, and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1825. Later, when he was commandant there, Ulysses S.

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Grant and William T. Sherman were cadets, Smith fought in the Mexican War (1846-1848) and, when the Civil War began, was promoted to brigadier general. On February 15, 1862, during Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's siege of Ft. Donelson, Tennessee, Smith's division breached the defenses and prompted the Confederate surrender. When Grant was asked for terms, Smith suggested "unconditional and immediate surrender," a phrase that made "Unconditional Surrender Grant" famous throughout the North. Smith, promoted to major general on March 21, 1862, temporarily commanded the army when Grant was accused of drunkenness. Smith died on April 25, 1862, of an infection after a seemingly minor non-combat injury.

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 Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal, the Defenses of Washington, the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 15, 1862.

Location. 38° 54.081′ N, 77° 5.301′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Woodmont. Marker can be reached from 24th Street North, 0.1 miles east of 23rd Road North

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 15, 2021

2. Fort C.F. Smith Marker

, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2411 24th St N, Arlington VA 22207, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Dawson-Bailey House (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Dawson-Bailey Spring Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Bay-Eva Castle Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort Strong (approx. 0.4 miles away); Maywood (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker which had slightly different content.

Gen. Charles F. Smith image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

3. Gen. Charles F. Smith

Charles Ferguson Smith was born in Philadelphia on April 24, 1807, and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1825. Later, when he was commandant there, Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman were cadets, Smith fought in the Mexican War (1846-1848) and, when the Civil War began, was promoted to brigadier general. On February 15, 1862, during Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's siege of Ft. Donelson, Tennessee, Smith's division breached the defenses and prompted the Confederate surrender. When Grant was asked for terms, Smith suggested "unconditional and immediate surrender," a phrase that made "Unconditional Surrender Grant" famous throughout the North. Smith, promoted to major general on March 21, 1862, temporarily commanded the army when Grant was accused of drunkenness. Smith died on April 25, 1862, of an infection after a seemingly minor non-combat injury.

Officers of Companies K & L, 2d New York Heavy Artillery at Fort C.F. Smith image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

4. Officers of Companies K & L, 2d New York Heavy Artillery at Fort C.F. Smith

by William Morris Smith Sept. 2, 1865.

Fort C.F. Smith Plan image. Click for full size.

Digitized by Google

5. Fort C.F. Smith Plan

from Plate 17 in A Report on the Defenses of Washington, by John Gross Barnard, 1871.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 15, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on August 14, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on August 15, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.