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

Powder Magazine

Gateway to the Confederate Capital

— Historic Fort Huger —

Powder Magazine Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 5, 2024

1. Powder Magazine Marker

Inscription. Directly ahead are the remains of the fort's powder magazine. Constructed of brick, this structure stored the hundreds of pounds of black powder used to charge the cannons before firing. This was the most dangerous place in the fort because an accidental ignition or a hit by enemy fire could produce disastrous effects.

The magazine was destroyed by retreating Confederate troops on May 14, 15 or 16, 1862.

(caption) Powder magazine on Tybee Island, 1862

Erected by Isle of Wight County.

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

Location. 37° 6.571′ N, 76° 39.477′ 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

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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 of this marker: African Americans at Fort Huger (a few steps from this marker); The Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); The Historic James and its Tributaries (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Shot Furnace & Shell House (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Architecture (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Entrance & Defense (within shouting distance of this marker); South Bastion (within shouting distance of this marker); North Bastion (within shouting distance of this marker). 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.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 5, 2024

2. Powder Magazine Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2024, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 20 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.