Near Winchester in Frederick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Constructing Star Fort
"With axe, pick, and shovel"
| | Milroy's Occupation of Winchester (January-June 1863) | |
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 12, 2024
1. Constructing Star Fort Marker
The first works on this site were constructed in 1861, when Confederate troops in the 4th Alabama built a series of gun emplacements called "Fort Alabama."
When Union Gen. Robert H. Milroy arrived in Winchester on January 1, 1863, he put his men to work strengthening the town's existing fortifications. His soldiers rotated various tasks, spending one day per week working on Winchester's defenses, three days on guard duty, and three days dedicated to camp chores. On any given day during the first half of 1863, approximately 1,000 Union soldiers labored on the earthworks. They strengthened Fort Jackson, Fort Garibaldi (renamed Fort Milroy), and West Fort, and constructed a new, stronger fortification on this site - Star Fort - "Working on the fort and rifle pits, with axe, pick, and shovel."
Star Fort's elevated position afforded long views as far away as Harper's Ferry that were strategically important for protecting the town, the Valley Pike, and the nearby railroad lines. Milroy believed that the terrain here was suitable for a star fort, a design that enabled defenders to fire into an attacking enemy's flanks. The soldiers who constructed these works used the excavated soil from the ditch at the base of the fort and the rifle pits that encircled it to build the parapet. When finished, the fort could hold
this page online
(Sidebar):
When constructing the forts, Milroy, a fervent abolitionist, instructed his men to use limestone and brick from the nearby home of former U.S. Senator James Mason, author of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act.
James Mason
Image courtesy Library of Congress
(Captions):
Earthwork fortification under construction.
Image courtesy Library of Congress
Star Fort. Detail from Jedediah Hotchkiss map.
Image courtesy Library of Congress
Union Gen. Robert H. Milroy.
Image courtesy Library of Congress
Erected 2024 by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is January 1, 1863.
Location. 39° 12.36′ N, 78° 9.862′ W. Marker is near Winchester, Virginia, in Frederick County. It can be reached from Fortress Drive 0.2 miles north of North Frederick Pike (U.S. 522), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 508 Fortress Drive, Winchester VA 22603, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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: Duel of the Forts (within shouting distance of this marker); The Retreat (within shouting distance
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 12, 2024
2. Constructing Star Fort Marker
A portion of Star Fort is in the background.
Other markers no longer nearby. Constructing Star Fort (has been replaced with this marker); Second Battle of Winchester (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Third Battle of Winchester (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Civil War Earthworks (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Star Fort (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Second Battle of Winchester (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced another at this location.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 12, 2024
3. Star Fort
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 289 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 13, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
