The Fort

The Fort. . , Following their unexpected defeat in July at the First Battle of Bull Run, Union military leaders realized that Washington needed a formidable system of defenses. From the crest of Arlington Ridge, Fort Richardson, along with other strategically sited forts, extended the defensive line north and west, creating the Arlington Line. These forts covered the Aqueduct and Long Bridges., Civil War Engineering , With a perimeter of 316 yards, Fort Richardson had emplacements for nine guns. Construction of all the Defenses of Washington followed the directives of General John G. Barnard, the chief engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers., The fort's south walls and ditches are well preserved. The ninth hole directly ahead of you coincides with the center of Fort Richardson., Israel B. Richardson , The fort bears the name of Brigadier General Israel B. Richardson. The general died of wounds sustained at the Battle of Antietam on November 3, 1862. Library of Congress, Anatomy of the Fort, 1 Entrance Located at the rear of the fort away from the point of enemy attack., 2 Guard House Located inside the fort next to the entrance. Used for mustering guards and holding prisoners, if needed., 3 Abatis Sharpened tree branches placed around the fort's perimeter and pointed toward an advancing enemy., 4 Rampart Wide earthen wall of the fort that protected soldiers., 5 Drawbridge, 6 Bastion Angular projection on the fort wall to enable crossfire. Here it helped protect the fort's entrance gate and rear left flank., 7 Magazine Underground storage room for ammunition, like black powder and projectiles., 8 Barracks (Bombproof) Provided shelter in the event of an attack. Early in the war it housed soldiers until better quarters were provided., 9 Officers' Quarters Used for housing until better living quarters were constructed, then became administration spaces., 10 Embrasure Small flared opening in the parapet through which artillery was fired., 11 Parade The interior of the fort., A Parapet Elevated earthwork forming a main fort wall., B Rampart Wide earthen wall on the inside of a ditch., C Glacis Sloping earthen bank, which increased visibility from the parapet., D Ditch Deep trench encircling a fort's main wall., E Scarp Steep slope forming the inside of a ditch., F Counterscarp Steep slope forming a ditch's outside.