The plan of Fort Ward consisted of five bastions with positions for 36 guns. The Northwest Bastion illustrates how the entire stronghold appeared in 1864. This bastion is armed with six reproduction weapons based on Fort Ward's original table of armament: three 4.5" Rodman rifled guns (#14,16,17), two 24-pounder smoothbore Howitzers (#13, 15), and one 6-pounder James Rifle (#12).

The cannons worked in concert to sweep the field toward Little River Turnpike (Duke Street) to the south, and Leesburg Turnpike (King Street) to the north. Artillery crews in teams of 5-7 men were assigned to each gun position. Infantrymen were stationed along the ledge (banquette) between the gun platforms.

A rifle trench extended from the point of this bastion to an outlying gun battery.

The Northwest Bastion was restored by the City of Alexandria, 1961-64.

Marker is on West Braddock Road.

Courtesy hmdb.org

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