Seminary Hill in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Profile of Fort

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008

1. Profile of Fort Marker

Inscription. This exterior view of the restored Northwest Bastion illustrates the effectiveness of an earthwork fort. The fort walls were 18-22 feet high, 12-14 feet thick, and slanted at 45 degrees.

To gain access to the fort an attacker would have to cross the field of fire (the open area to the front of the fort), penetrate the abatis (the line of felled trees that surrounded the ditch), enter the ditch, and scale the walls while the defenders were well protected behind the embankments.

These restored walls illustrate how the entire 818-yard perimeter of Fort Ward appeared in late 1864.

Erected by City of Alexandria.

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, and the Virginia, The City of Alexandria series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 38° 49.865′ N, 77° 6.138′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Seminary Hill. Marker can be reached from West Braddock Road, on the right when traveling west. Located in Fort Ward Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4301 West Braddock Road, Alexandria VA 22304, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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. Northwest Bastion (within shouting distance of this marker); Powder Magazine and Filling Room (within shouting distance of this marker); Rifle Trench (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Ward (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bombproof (about 400 feet away); Jackson Cemetery (about 400 feet away); The Oakland Baptist Church (about 500 feet away); Outlying Gun Battery (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

More about this marker. Above the text is a profile of the fort indicating the parapet, scarp (wall), ditch, and abatis. In the upper left is an engineering plan of the fort with the wall described in the text indicated in blue. A center caption reads Help preserve this historic site by entering the fort only via the bridge to the left. Please do not enter the ditch or climb upon the walls during your tour of Fort Ward.

Also see . . . Fort Ward Historic Site. (Submitted on May 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Bridge Walkway to the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008

2. Bridge Walkway to the Marker

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008

3. Profile of the Fort Defenses

Attacker's Perspective of the Fort's Defenses image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008

4. Attacker's Perspective of the Fort's Defenses

Looking down the bore of a reproduction 6-pdr James rifle.

Defender's Point of View image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008

5. Defender's Point of View

From one of the reproduction 4.5in Rifles. At the time of the war, the ground in front of the fort was much more open, without the modern buildings and trees. The surrounding area was mostly pasture, orchards, and farms in 1861-1865.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,964 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.