Woodmont in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fort C.F. Smith
Defenses of Washington
1861-1865
Fort C.F. Smith
Just to the north are the remains of Fort C.F. Smith. A lunette built early in 1863 to command the high ground north of Spout Run and protect the flank of the Arlington Line. It had a perimeter of 368 yards and emplacements for 22 guns.
Erected 1965 by Arlington County, Virginia. (Marker Number 8.)
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 Defenses of Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 38° 54.05′ N, 77° 5.456′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Woodmont. It is on 24th Street North west of 23rd Road North, on the right when traveling west. The marker stands adjacent to the walk-in entrance to Fort C.F. Smith Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2411 24th Street North, Arlington VA 22207, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith
this page online
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 within shouting distance of 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).
More about this marker. In the center of the marker is a map of the Washington Defenses, with a red (weathered) arrow pointing out the location of Fort C.F. Smith.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Fort C.F. Smith by Markers.
Additional commentary.
February 2, 2008
2. Fort C.F. Smith
Marker is at the southern edge of the Bombproof.
From "Mr. Lincoln's Forts: A Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington," by Benjamin Franklin Cooling III and Walton H. Owen II:
Fort C.F. Smith included one 8-inch seacoast howitzer, four 24-pdr siege guns, three 12-pdr field howitzers, six 4.5in Ordnance siege rifles, two 6-pdr field guns, and three 8-inch siege mortars. Six gun platforms were left vacant. The perimeter totaled 368 yards.
Units stationed at the fort included the 2nd New York Heavy Artillery, 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, and the 164th Ohio Infantry.
— Submitted February 3, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
February 2, 2008
4. North Powder Magazine
On northwest edge of Fort C.F. Smith.
5. Gun in Fort C. F. Smith
"Gun crew of Company K, 2d New York Artillery, in Fort C. F. Smith."
(Civil War photographs, 1861-1865 / compiled by Hirst D. Milhollen and Donald H. Mugridge, Washington, D.C. : Library of Congress, 1977. No. 0764)
(Civil War photographs, 1861-1865 / compiled by Hirst D. Milhollen and Donald H. Mugridge, Washington, D.C. : Library of Congress, 1977. No. 0764)
Internet Archive
6. Major-General C. F. Smith
from The Century Magazine Vol. XXIX, No. 2, December, 1884.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2008. This page has been viewed 1,855 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on March 16, 2026. Photos: 1. submitted on June 15, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on February 2, 2008. 3. submitted on June 15, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on February 2, 2008. 5. submitted on February 9, 2008. 6. submitted on August 14, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
