Fort Albany (Arlington, Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Albany |
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| Arlington, Virginia | |
 Fort Albany
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| Coordinates | 38°51′54″N 77°03′58″W / 38.864917°N 77.066167°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1861 |
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Fort Albany was a strong earthwork fort built by the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was located in Arlington County, Virginia, which was known as Alexandria County back then. The Army started building this fort in May 1861.
Fort Albany was an important part of the Civil War defenses of Washington, D.C.. These defenses were a ring of forts and trenches built to protect the capital city during the war.
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What Was Fort Albany Like?
Fort Albany was shaped like a bastioned earthwork. This means it had parts that stuck out, allowing soldiers to fire along the walls. The fort's outer edge, called its perimeter, was about 429 yards long.
Inside the fort, there were places for 12 large guns. These guns were used to defend against enemy attacks. Other nearby forts, like Fort Richardson, Fort Craig, and Fort Tillinghast, helped protect Fort Albany by providing extra firepower.
Life at the Fort
In May 1864, a report from the Union Army's Inspector of Artillery described Fort Albany. At that time, Captain Rhodes was in charge of the fort. The soldiers stationed there were from the First Massachusetts Volunteers.
The fort had 5 officers and 145 regular soldiers. It also had an "ordnance-sergeant," who was in charge of weapons and ammunition.
Fort Albany's Weapons
Fort Albany had a variety of powerful weapons:
- Two 24-pounder field howitzers: These were cannons that could fire shells over short distances.
- Four 24-pounder siege guns: These were heavier cannons used to attack enemy forts.
- Two Parrott rifles: These were special cannons known for their accuracy.
- One Coehorn mortar: A small, portable mortar used to lob shells over walls.
- One 10-inch mortar: A very large mortar that fired heavy, arcing shells.
The fort had two magazines, which were safe places to store gunpowder and ammunition. The report said these were dry and in good condition. There was plenty of ammunition, and all the tools for the guns were complete and working well. The soldiers were considered "fair" at their drills and discipline. The report also noted that the fort had enough soldiers to defend it properly.
Where is Fort Albany Today?
Today, you won't find any remains of Fort Albany. The land where it stood was changed a lot in 1942. This happened during the building of the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway.
However, a historic marker shows the spot where the fort once stood. It was important for guarding the approach to the Long Bridge. This bridge crossed the Potomac River and was a key route into Washington, D.C. The fort was also near the Columbia Turnpike, close to where the Pentagon is now.
You can see a drawing of Fort Albany in the collection of the Library of Congress.
