Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Arnold's British Defenses, 1781

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 12, 2014

1. Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 Marker

Inscription. This marks a line of British redoubts erected in March 1781 by order of Brigadier General Benedict Arnold who, under Major William Phillips, commanded British troops occupying Portsmouth. The line of fortifications extended in an arc along Washington Street from the northern waterfront to Gosport Creek and defended Portsmouth from American attack from the west.

Erected 1962 by Virginia State Library. (Marker Number Q 8-o.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1781.

Location. 36° 50.074′ N, 76° 18.228′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. It is at the intersection of Washington Street and King Street, on the right when traveling north on Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Rev. Francis Devlin (within shouting distance of this marker); Priests Who Died In Their Service Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church (about 400 feet away); St. Paul's Catholic Church Burial Ground (about 400 feet away); Monumental Methodist Church (about 600 feet away); George Teamoh (about 600 feet away); The Battle of Craney Island (about 700 feet away); The Commodore Theatre (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Also see . . . Gen Benedict Arnold at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on February 14, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Additional commentary.
1.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 12, 2014

2. Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 Marker

Missing "General"?
Phillips is listed on other markers as Major General William Phillips but is listed here as just Major William Phillips.

— Submitted March 8, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 765 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 14, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.