Parts of the earthworks still exist at Fort Johnston. This fort atop Catoctin Mountain has a story to tell. Fort Johnston also known as Fort Geary sits just west of Leesburg Virginia.
Let’s journey back to the Civil War era. It was a time of great upheaval in America. The fort was constructed in the winter of 1861 to 1862. This followed the Battle of Ball’s Bluff. It was one of three forts built to defend the town. The town needed protection from possible invasion.
Fort Johnston was designed as a four-point star. Each point measured about 110 feet in length. Imagine the effort it took to construct this earthen fort. It must have been backbreaking labor.
Confederates only sporadically occupied the fort. The main threat of invasion came from the east. It came across the Potomac River. In 1862 the Union army invaded Loudoun County. The Confederates abandoned Fort Johnston. Later the Federals occupied it. They renamed it Fort Geary. This was in honor of their commander.
Throughout the war Leesburg was rarely held in force by either side. The fort saw little use. Think about the daily life of the soldiers stationed here. What did they do to pass the time? How did they feel being so close to the enemy?
Today parts of the earthworks of Fort Johnston still exist. They are located on private property on Fort Johnston Road. You can still visit the site and imagine what it was like during the Civil War. Fort Johnston silently stands as a testament to a nation divided. It reminds us of the sacrifices made during that time. It reminds us of the importance of preserving our history.