Fort Nelson (Virginia)

Fort Nelson was a fort located on what is currently the site of Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. Late in 1776, Virginia's Revolutionary government constructed the fort of timber and rammed earth. Three years later, the British fleet commanded by Admiral Sir George Collier confiscated its artillery and supplies and destroyed most of the parapet. In 1779-1781, both Lord Cornwallis and General Benedict Arnold occupied the fort. 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. During the Civil War, the Confederate government strengthened Fort Nelson. 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.