Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Arnold's British Defenses, 1781

Photographed By Scott Rollins, June 23, 2009

1. Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 Marker

Inscription. A brick windmill near here was close to the southern limit of a line of British redoubts erected in March 1781 by order of Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, who under Major General William Phillips, commanded British troops occupying Portsmouth. This line of fortifications extended north in an arc along Washington Street to the waterfront near Court Street.

Erected 1962 by Virginia State Library. (Marker Number Q 8-q.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1781.

Location. 36° 50.414′ N, 76° 18.091′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. Marker is on Crawford Parkway west of Court Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cornwallis at Portsmouth (here, next to this marker); Olde Towne Portsmouth (a few steps from this marker); Fort Nelson (within shouting distance of this marker); Craney Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Crawford Bay

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Watts House (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Yellow Fever of 1855 (about 700 feet away); Elks Lodge (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 Marker (on left) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, February 12, 2014

2. Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 Marker (on left)

Cornwallis in Portsmouth marker is on the right

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. This page has been viewed 831 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 26, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. 2. submitted on February 14, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.