A critical part of the Civil War Defenses of Washington, D.C., Fort Richardson defended the high ground that Confederate artillery could have commanded to shell the nation's capital across the Potomac River. Located on a plateau overlooking . . . — — Map (db m294923) HM
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
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
