Fort Nelson (Virginia)

Fort Nelson Park in Portsmouth, near the site of the historic fort

Fort Nelson was a fort located on what is currently the site of Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia.[1][2] Late in 1776, Virginia's Revolutionary government constructed the fort of timber and rammed earth.[3] Three years later, the British fleet commanded by Admiral Sir George Collier confiscated its artillery and supplies and destroyed most of the parapet.[3] In 1779-1781, both Lord Cornwallis and General Benedict Arnold occupied the fort.[3] The fort was reconstructed in 1799 of earth lined with brick, following a design by architect B. Henry Latrobe under the First System of US fortifications, and abandoned after the War of 1812.[3] During the Civil War, the Confederate government strengthened Fort Nelson.[3] However, Fort Nelson came under Federal control on 10 May 1862, when the Union army, under the leadership of General John E. Wool, occupied Norfolk.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Historic Fort Nelson". Fort Nelson DAR. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  2. ↑ "Fort Nelson". Waymarking. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Department of Historic Resources". virginia.gov.

Coordinates: 36°50′30″N 76°18′19″W / 36.841589°N 76.305237°W / 36.841589; -76.305237

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