Fort Scott (5)

From FortWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Fort Scott (5) (1861-1865) - A Union U.S. Civil War Fort first established in 1861 in Arlington County, Virginia. Named Fort Scott after Lieutenant General Winfield Scott who was in command of the Union Army early in the war. Abandoned in 1865 at the end of the war.

History of Fort Scott

One of the ring of Union fortifications surrounding Washington DC during the U.S. Civil War, see Washington DC Fort Ring.

Fort Scott was also one of 33 forts on the Virginia side of the Potomac River that made up an outer defense line for Washington DC known as the Arlington Line.

The fort was built with a perimeter of 313 yards enclosing emplacements for 8 guns, two magazines, a guard house and bombproof. Armament included five 24 pounders, one 8" howitzers, one 30 pounder Parrott rifle, one 6 pounder and two 10" mortars.

A 17 May 1864 report from the Union Inspector of Artillery noted the following: "Fort Scott, Major Trumbull commanding.–Garrison, one company First Connecticut Heavy Artillery–4 commissioned officers, 1 ordnance-sergeant, 137 men. Armament, two 12-pounder mountain howitzers, two 6- pounder James (rifled). Magazines, two; dry and in good condition. Ammunition, full supply and serviceable. Implements, complete. Drill in artillery, fair. Drill in infantry, fair. Discipline, fair. Garrison sufficient for the work."

The fort was abandoned in 1865 at the end of the war.

Current Status

A marker and some remains on the park grounds and private property west of the marker.


USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 1466796


{"selectable":false,"height":"-500","width":"-500"}

Location: Fort Scott Park, Arlington County, Virginia. Map point is the marker location.

Maps & Images

Lat: 38.8475 Long: -77.05898

See Also:

Sources:

  • Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 823.
  • Cooling, Benjamin F. III and Owen, Valton H. II, Mr. Lincoln's Forts: A Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington, Scarecrow Press, 2009, ISBN 0810863073, ISBN 9780810863071, 334 pages, page 96-97.

Links:

Visited: No