The Union Soldier

The men who built and garrisoned Fort Runyon typified Union Army soldiers, whose ranks came from militia and all-volunteer regiments organized by the states and mustered into national service. They arrived in camp wearing an array of homemade uniforms, often carrying outdated weapons, and with little or no military training, but what began as a rag-tag group became an effective fighting force. Upwards of 10,000 Union soldiers occupied forts in present-day Arlington, safeguarding Washington from direct attack throughout the war.

Arlington, Virginia · United States