Woodmont in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fort C.F. Smith
Defending the Capital
| | Defenses of Washington, 1863-1865 | |
Fort C.F. Smith was constructed early in 1863 as part of the expansion and strengthening of the capital's defenses that continued throughout the war. With Forts Strong, Morton, and Woodbury, Fort C.F. Smith formed the outer perimeter of fortifications that protected the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal's Aqueduct Bridge (then located near the present-day Francis Scott Key Bridge).
The fort was built as a lunette with a southern and western face and two flanks, as well as a cremaillere (intended) line on the north side to defend against an attack from the river up the ravines. A road that crossed Spout Run and proceeded up the hill to Fort Strong entered Fort C.F. Smith from the east. The trees from miles around were cut down to provide clear lines of fire for all the forts, and much of the lumber was used to construct the fortifications and support buildings.
Fort C.F. Smith had barracks, mess halls, kitchens, officers' quarters, a barn, and a headquarters that stood to your right. When the fort was decommissioned in 1865, the buildings were demolished. No above-ground evidence of their existence remains today.
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Charles Ferguson Smith was born in Philadelphia on April 24, 1807, and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1825. Later, when he was commandant there, Ulysses S.
this page online
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal, the Defenses of Washington, the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 38° 54.081′ N, 77° 5.301′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Woodmont. It can be reached from 24th Street North 0.1 miles east of 23rd Road North
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. 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: A different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Dawson-Bailey House (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Dawson-Bailey Spring Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Bay-Eva Castle Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort Strong (approx. 0.4 miles away); Maywood (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
Other markers no longer nearby. Fort C.F. Smith (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (was about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker which had slightly different content.
Library of Congress
3. Gen. Charles F. Smith
Charles Ferguson Smith was born in Philadelphia on April 24, 1807, and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1825. Later, when he was commandant there, Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman were cadets, Smith fought in the Mexican War (1846-1848) and, when the Civil War began, was promoted to brigadier general. On February 15, 1862, during Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's siege of Ft. Donelson, Tennessee, Smith's division breached the defenses and prompted the Confederate surrender. When Grant was asked for terms, Smith suggested "unconditional and immediate surrender," a phrase that made "Unconditional Surrender Grant" famous throughout the North. Smith, promoted to major general on March 21, 1862, temporarily commanded the army when Grant was accused of drunkenness. Smith died on April 25, 1862, of an infection after a seemingly minor non-combat injury.
Library of Congress
4. Officers of Companies K & L, 2d New York Heavy Artillery at Fort C.F. Smith
by William Morris Smith Sept. 2, 1865.
Digitized by Google
5. Fort C.F. Smith Plan
from Plate 17 in A Report on the Defenses of Washington, by John Gross Barnard, 1871.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 487 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on September 18, 2025, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 15, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on August 14, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on August 15, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
