Arlington Mill in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Early Engagement
"A Skirmish at Arlington Mills"
The "Skirmish at Arlington Mills " as the New York Times called it, was among the first military engagements of the Civil War. It occurred only a week after the May 23 vote ratifing the secession of Virginia from the United States. The next day, President Abraham Lincoln ordered Union forces to cross the Potomac River and occupy Arlington Heights. The fight helped show that Washington was vulnerable to Confederate attacks and its defenses needed to be strengthened.
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Corp. Francis E. Brownell, 1st New York Fire Zouaves Courtesy Library of Congress
George Washington Parke Custis, adopted son of President George Washington, and the father-in-law of Confederate general Robert E. Lee, built the mill in 1836. It was a landmark for Union troops.
"Union Gen. William B. Franklin's Brigade Passing Arlington Mill on Its Way to Occupy Munson's Hill." Illustrated London News, Oct. 26, 1861
Arlington Mill, ca. 1863 Courtesy University of Maryland
The U.S. Army built fortifications surrounding Washington, D.C., including 22 forts in Arlington County. The remains of one is Fort C.F. Smith.
U.S. heavy artillery on the ramparts of Fort C.F. Smith, ca. 1865 - Library of Congress
Erected 2017 by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1861.
Location. 38° 51.376′ N, 77° 6.69′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Arlington Mill. Marker is on Columbia Pike (Virginia Route 244) east of South Dinwiddie STreet, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4970 Columbia Pike, Arlington VA 22204, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Flow Of Time (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Barcroft (about 500 feet away); The Arlington Mill (about 500 feet away); Barcroft Community House (approx. ¼ mile away); Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, Southwest 6 (approx. half a mile away); Reeb Hall (approx. 0.8 miles away); Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Virginia Sanctuary (approx. 0.9 miles away); Carlin Springs (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
Additional keywords. Barcroft
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2022, by Phillip Dolliff of Arlington, Virginia. This page has been viewed 217 times since then and 36 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on September 20, 2022, by Phillip Dolliff of Arlington, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
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