Fort Nelson (Virginia)

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]

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