Location Details
- Leesburg, VA
One of three forts built around Leesburg in 1861.
As a border county in the Civil War, Loudoun was in a dangerous position of having to defend its shoreline from Union invasion along the Potomac River, from Harpers Ferry to Dranesville. Three forts were built around Leesburg to keep watch over the town’s approaches. In 1861 troops built Fort Johnson (later renamed Fort Geary), Fort Beauregard, and Fort Evans. Fort Evans is a 1.5-acre rectangular earthen fort located on high ground two miles east of downtown Leesburg, overlooking Edwards Ferry. Named for Col. Nathan “Shanks” Evans, the local Confederate commander, it protected the eastern approaches to Leesburg. Fort Evans was abandoned when the Confederates left the area in March 1862. Fort Evans is located on private property, and access is limited. A Virginia Civil War Trails marker provides interpretation on the site. [Text from http://civilwar.visitloudoun.org.
