Taylor Run in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Ellsworth

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, July 25, 2011

1. Fort Ellsworth Marker

Inscription. Fort Ellsworth, one of 68 earthen forts built to protect Washington during the Civil War, was constructed in 1861. When completed, the fort had a perimeter of 618 yards and was an irregular Vauban-type star design of French origin. The fort was garrisoned by many regiments in the course of the war. The largest of its guns, a 100-pound Parrott, had a maximum range of 8,428 yards. The fort was named for Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, Commander of the 11th New York Fire Zouaves and a friend of President Lincoln. Colonel Ellsworth was the first Union officer to be killed in the Civil War. He was shot at Marshall House, Alexandria, after removing a Confederate flag from the tavern roof, and lay in state at the White House. He is buried in Mechanicville, New York.

Erected by Fort Ellsworth Condominiums.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • Notable Events • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Defenses of Washington, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 38° 48.458′ N, 77° 4.222′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Taylor Run. Marker is on Roberts Lane, 0.3 miles north of Duke Street

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(Virginia Route 236), on the left when traveling north. Marker is on private property west of the Washington Masonic National Memorial - three blocks north of Duke Street in the Fort Ellsworth Condominium community - at the base of the flagpole, southeast of the community swimming pool. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alexandria VA 22301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Fort Ellsworth (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); George Washington Masonic National Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Panoramic View of Alexandria (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Bloxham Cemetery: Portal to the Past (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Bloxham Family Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named The George Washington Masonic National Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hubert N. ("Dutch") Hoffman, Jr. (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fighting Back (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Also see . . .
1. Fort Ellsworth. (Submitted on July 25, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Marshall House, Alexandria, VA. (Submitted on July 25, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
3. Col. Elmer Ephraim Ellsworth. (Submitted on July 25, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
4. Sergt. Francis E. Brownell, 11th New York Fire Zouaves. Medal of Honor

Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, 11th New York Fire Zouaves (1861) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Wikipedia, July 25, 2011

2. Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, 11th New York Fire Zouaves (1861)

recipient "for gallantry in shooting the murderer of Col. Ellsworth at Alexandria, VA, May 24, 1861.” (Submitted on July 25, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Additional keywords. Shuter's Hill

Fort Ellsworth image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Matthew Brady, circa 1862

3. Fort Ellsworth

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, July 25, 2011

4. Fort Ellsworth Marker

The Naval Brigade, Lieutenant Perkins Commanding, Constructing the Main Battery on Shutter's Hill image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

5. The Naval Brigade, Lieutenant Perkins Commanding, Constructing the Main Battery on Shutter's Hill

to Guard Alexandria, Va., and Command the Fairfax Road. From Frank Leslie's Scenes and Portraits of the Civil War by Frank Leslie. 1894. Page 115.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,143 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3. submitted on July 26, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4. submitted on July 25, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 5. submitted on January 22, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.