Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Maj Morris Sketch
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 14, 2024
1. MAJ Morris Sketch Marker
Drawn after Confederate Retreat
Drawn by Maj Robert Morris of the 6th PA Infantry
You are looking at the remains of one of the bombproof shelters.
Erected by Fort Eustis Historical and Archaeological Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 37° 7.759′ N, 76° 37.165′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. It can be reached from Harrison Road one mile east of Harrison Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is on post at Fort Eustis. Post access is restricted to authorized personnel and sponsored or escorted visitors. This marker is within the earthen remains of Fort Crafford, on the north end of the walking trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Eustis VA 23604, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula, in Hampton Roads, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Crafford House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Crafford (about 500 feet away); Mulberry Point & Sir Thomas West (approx. 0.8 miles away); Felker Army Airfield (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Lee Hall Balloon School (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Civil War on Fort Eustis
this page online
Regarding Maj Morris Sketch. The collapsed bombproof is the indention directly in front of the marker. The remains of the other features shown on the map, including the southeastern bombproof and the three burned magazines, are all evident in the landscape to the left of the reader along the brush line.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 14, 2024
2. Collapsed Bombproof
This is the bombproof shelter referenced by the marker.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 14, 2024
3. Unmarked Other Bombproof
The southeast collapsed bombproof shelter references on Maj Morris' map & the marker manifests as an overgrown ditch between the central clearing within the fort and the southeast bastion. It runs for a length of about 185' northeast to southwest.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 14, 2024
4. Burned, Collapsed Magazine
While indistinct in the photo, in person this pile of earth is more evident. Looking closely at the center of the image, the viewer can see a crater where the magazine collapsed on itself. This is just northwest of the southern bombproof, and is one of the three magazines marked on the Maj. Morris Map Marker.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 14, 2024
5. Collapsed Magazine
Covered by brush, this is the second of the distinct magazines a visitor can discern. Three are marked on Maj. Morris' Map. The third is not evident in the landscape. All three were burned when the fort was evacuated.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 14, 2024
6. Dwelling
The foundation of the 18th Century Crafford House, marked as "Dwelling" on the Maj. Morris Map, is surrounded by a fence in the center of the fort's cleared parade ground. The house served as a headquarters for the fort during its short period of relevance, and was dismantled in 1925 to repair the Wren Building at William & Mary College with period bricks.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 5, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
