Fort Magruder

Fort Magruder is a Civil War earthen fortification in Williamsburg, Virginia. The structure includes defensive walls and a dry moat that are still visible in the landscape today.

The fortification was built in 1862 as Redoubt Number 6 in the Williamsburg Line during the Peninsula Campaign. It was part of the defensive line against advancing Union forces moving toward Richmond.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy placed a monument at the fort site to commemorate its role in the American Civil War.

The original fort site is not open to the public, but the nearby Redoubt Park allows visitors to see the area. The park was established in 2006 and provides a way to view the historical landscape.

Researchers from William and Mary university found a witch bottle at the site in 2016, an artifact from folk practices during the Civil War era. This discovery shows that soldiers and civilians used spiritual protection methods beyond military defenses.

Location: Virginia

GPS coordinates: 37.26470,-76.66440

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:04