Fort Ellsworth

Fort Ellsworth was one of 68 earthen forts built to protect Washington during the Civil War and was constructed in 1861. When completed, it had a perimeter of 618 yards and an irregular Vauban-type star design of French origin. Many regiments garrisoned the fort during the war, and its largest gun, a 100-pound Parrott, had a maximum range of 8,428 yards. The fort was named for Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, commander of the 11th New York Fire Zouaves and a friend of President Lincoln. Ellsworth was the first Union officer killed in the Civil War after he was shot at Marshall House in Alexandria while removing a Confederate flag from the tavern roof. He lay in state at the White House and is buried in Mechanicville, New York.

Alexandria, Virginia · United States