Smithfield in Isle of Wight County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Fort

Gateway to the Confederate Capital

— Historic Fort Huger —

The Fort Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 5, 2024

1. The Fort Marker

Inscription. The fort's interior occupies three acres and is protected by a high rampart wall. Archeology indicates the flag pole mound is located where construction began. The top of the flagpole mound is the original surface level of Hardy's Bluff.

The surrounding forest was completely cleared between mid-March and May 1862. The absence of trees provided no cover for approaching enemy units and created a challenge for the Union ships' guns to accurately fire upon the fort. It further eliminated the potential for splinters which could wound troops when cannon balls struck trees.

(caption) Artistic rendering by Tom Freeman of Fort Huger's 1862 appearance

Erected by Isle of Wight County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1862.

Location. 37° 6.586′ N, 76° 39.479′ W. Marker is in Smithfield, Virginia, in Isle of Wight County. It can be reached from the intersection of Talcott Terrace and Lawnes Neck Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15080 Talcott Ter, Smithfield VA 23430, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Coastal Virginia

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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

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of this marker: Hot Shot Furnace & Shell House (a few steps from this marker); Powder Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker); North Bastion (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Entrance & Defense (within shouting distance of this marker); The Historic James and its Tributaries (within shouting distance of this marker); African Americans at Fort Huger (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Architecture (within shouting distance of this marker); South Bastion (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smithfield.

Also see . . . Fort Huger. Isle of Wight County Museum (Submitted on April 6, 2024.)

The Fort Marker (on the right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 5, 2024

2. The Fort Marker (on the right)

Well and Flagpole Mound image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 5, 2024

3. Well and Flagpole Mound

Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2024, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 279 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 5, 2024, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 6, 2024, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 7, 2024, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.