Fort Monroe

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Fort Monroe

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Fort Monroe SE Va., commanding the entrance to Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads; named for President James Monroe. The fortress (80 acres/32 hectares) was built (1819-34) by the U.S. government on the site of English fortifications erected in 1609 and 1727. Completely surrounded by a moat, the six-sided fort is the only one of its kind left in the United States. Fort Monroe was held by Union forces throughout the Civil War; Jefferson Davis , president of the Confederacy, was imprisoned there from 1865 until 1867. Long a U.S. army coast-artillery post and school, the fort became headquarters of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) in 1973.

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Fort Monroe

The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military | 2001 | © The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military 2001, originally published by Oxford University Press 2001. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Fort Monroe a fort built in 1819 on the Chesapeake Bay, near Hampton, Virginia. From 1861 to 1865, during the Civil War, Fort Monroe was the only Union outpost in the Confederacy. In 1861, Maj. Benjamin Butler used Fort Monroe as a place of refuge for escaping slaves. In 1862, Gen. George B. McClellan used the fort as a base from which to launch the Peninsular Campaign. The 1st and 2nd Regiments of U.S. Colored Cavalry and the 2nd U.S. Colored Light Artillery were raised in Monroe. In 1865, the Bureau of Freedmen and Refugees (”Freedmen's Bureau”) established its headquarters there. The former Confederate president Jefferson Davis was imprisoned at Fort Monroe in October 1865 and held there until released on bail in May 1867. It is currently the only active moat-encircled fort in the United States.

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Fort Monroe

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Fort Monroe see Fort Monroe .

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Related articles from newspapers, magazines, and more

Fort Monroe likely to be a 'difficult save' from BRAC's ax.
Newspaper article from: Daily Press (Newport News, VA); 8/24/2005; 700+ words ; ...24--The last time Fort Monroe was faced with closure...military purposes. Fort Monroe is one of 33 major U...major bases, including Fort Eustis, and close or...hopeful sign for Fort Monroe, commission members have...
Will Fort Monroe serve parochial or strategic interests?(Local)
Newspaper article from: The Virginian Pilot; 1/18/2007; 700+ words ; ...seek even worse for Fort Monroe, the nearly 600...come from multiple Fort Monroe sources...Point Comfort, Fort Monroe's location, began...that Hampton owns Fort Monroe. And the...Citizens for a Fort Monroe National Park (CFMNP...
Fond farewell to Fort Monroe; Army to close historic post in base realignment.(CITIZEN JOURNALISM: MILITARY)
Newspaper article from: The Washington Times (Washington, DC); 7/9/2009; 700+ words ; ...TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES Fort Monroe will be closed by September...installations. The closure of Fort Monroe - an active defender of...His efforts to preserve Fort Monroe's history were...and water views of Fort Monroe have long rendered it a...
A national park for Fort Monroe.(Local)
Newspaper article from: The Virginian Pilot; 6/8/2008; 700+ words ; FORT MONROE has outlived its usefulness as a military...state and federal leaders who recognize Fort Monroe's rich but little-known history and...obstacles, bluntly put, are (a) Fort Monroe is not likely to achieve its potential...
Confederacy's past may be part of Fort Monroe's future: A Richmond-based museum proposes adding its branch to the fort's post-military site.
Newspaper article from: Daily Press (Newport News, VA); 9/21/2007; 700+ words ; ...Matthew Sturdevant 247-7874 Sep. 21--FORT MONROE -- Plans for the future of Fort Monroe could include an 8,000-square-foot branch...experts for the symposium. The history of Fort Monroe will be the primary draw for tourists once...
EDITORIAL: Fort Monroe: A national treasure belongs under the federal or state mantle.(Editorial)
Newspaper article from: Daily Press (Newport News, VA); 7/16/2006; 700+ words ; ...visions for the future of Fort Monroe. Don't be deceived...era most relevant to Fort Monroe history; they...operates other historic forts with harbor locations: Fort Sumter and Fort McHenry...Monitor wreck site. Fort Monroe is surely as worthy...
Panel under the gun: While the board that will determine Fort Monroe's future sorts itself out, the post quick-times toward a definite time and place.
Newspaper article from: Daily Press (Newport News, VA); 6/9/2007; 700+ words ; ...Byline: Jim Hodges Jun. 9--FORT MONROE -- The language around the table...Buckroe Civic Association. The Fort Monroe Federal Area Development Authority...And the Army won't leave until Fort Monroe is protected. But who protects...
Vision for Fort Monroe taking shape.(Local)
Newspaper article from: The Virginian Pilot; 9/25/2009; 700+ words ; ...Armstrong The Virginian-Pilot FORT MONROE Walking or riding a bike...vision for parts of Fort Monroe after the Army base closes...for the redevelopment of Fort Monroe would cost about...inspect the moat at Fort Monroe this year in preparation...
FAMILY OUTINGS AT FORT MONROE, WALK IN STEPS OF LINCOLN, LEE AND POE.(WEEKEND)
Newspaper article from: The Virginian Pilot; 4/13/2000; ; 700+ words ; ...its land counterpart must be Fort Monroe, located on Old Point Comfort...War. The chief was imprisoned at Fort Monroe from May until June of 1833. Black...400 soldiers were stationed at Fort Monroe. In less than two months, there...
Study: Wait and see on Fort Monroe.(Local)
Newspaper article from: The Virginian Pilot; 6/4/2008; 700+ words ; ...study concludes that Fort Monroe might deserve a place...slaves to stay at the fort. The study highlighted...slaves." "Fort Monroe is a local and national...study. "If the fort had a viable visitor...Citizens for a Fort Monroe National Park. The...

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