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 . . . — — Map (db m294925) HM
While stationed at Fort Richardson, troops saw little action, but they continually trained for combat and maintained their weapons. Regiments that saw duty at the fort also deployed to southern campaigns. Life on the field of battle was . . . — — Map (db m294926) HM
Fort Richardson was designed with emplacements for nine guns. The armaments of the Defenses of Washington were chosen for their range of fire and positioned to ensure that the line of defenses had no gaps. By 1865, Fort Richardson had placed . . . — — Map (db m294929) HM
