On May 23, 1861, Virginia seceded from the United States, creating panic in the capital.  Washington, D.C. found itself on the front lines of a divided country, without any defenses.  The realization of the city’s peril brought quick action.  On the very day that Virginia’s secession became effective, Union troops crossed the Potomac River and seized Alexandria and Arlington Heights with the intention of building defensive forts on these sites.  Troops also began working on forts at three sites south of the river. 

When the South won the first major battle of the war on July 21, 1861 at Bull Run (Manassas), the work to defend Washington intensified.  Forts were begun that would encircle Alexandria, Washington and Georgetown.  These fortifications were modeled on 17th-century fieldworks designed by the French military genius Sebastien Le Prestre Vauban.  By the end of 1862 more than 40 forts had been built.

With this degree of protection, Federal confidence was restored until August 1862 when the South won the Second Battle of Bull Run.  After this setback, some of the forts were enlarged, more guns were added and new forts built.  By the end of 1863, Washington was the most heavily defended location in the Western Hemisphere.  There were 68 forts and 93 batteries bristling with over 900 guns, linked by over 30 miles of trenches and roads.

Fort Ward was the fifth largest of the forts surrounding Washington.  It was begun in September 1861 and named for Commander James Harmon Ward, the first Union naval officer killed in the Civil War.  Major General John G. Barnard, Chief Engineer of the Defenses of Washington, considered Fort Ward to be “...one of the major forts in the defense system.”  After the Battle of Second Manassas in August 1862 the fort’s fire power was strengthened.  A 100-pound Parrott rifled siege gun was positioned in the fort’s southwest bastion on a center pintle carriage that permitted it to fire in any direction.  A south and northwest bastion were added.  When completed, Fort Ward had 36 guns mounted in five bastions. Work continued on the star-shaped fort throughout the war and finishing touches were added after General Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox on May 9, 1865.  Work on the ceremonial entrance gate, crowned by the turreted castle and symbolizing the Army Corp of Engineers, was completed in May 1865.  However, by the end of 1865, Fort Ward was dismantled.

Today visitors can see much of Fort Ward as it was over 100 years ago during the Civil War.  There is a replica of the fort’s 1865 Ceremonial Gate.  The Northwest Bastion has been carefully restored, complete with exact duplicates of the cannons that once stood here.  Using original Corps of Engineers drawings, an Officer’s Hut and Civil War Headquarters building (the latter serves as a museum) have also been reconstructed.

Fort Ward Museum contains a large collection of Civil War items.  The museum hosts frequent special exhibits relating to the Civil War period.  Before exploring the fort take the time to watch the 12-minute video “Fort Ward, Silent Guardian of the Capital City.”

Fort Ward Park is open daily at no charge from 9:00 A.M. to sunset.  The museum is open 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and Sunday NOON to 5:00 P.M.  Closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.

Directions:  From I-95/495, the Capital Beltway, take Exit 2N, Telegraph Road.  Follow the signs, and take Route 236 west.  Turn right on Quaker Lane and proceed to the second traffic light.  Turn left on West Braddock Road and travel approximately one-half mile to Ford Ward entrance.   From I-395, take Seminary Road exit east and proceed to the fourth traffic light.  Turn left on North Howard Street and follow the signs to Fort Ward.

Visit the FREEDOM GALLERY to see scenes of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown as magnificent works of photographic art.