In August 1861, General McClellan assigned General J.G. Barnard to take charge of construction to begin creation of a really complete system of defenses
Gen. Horatio Wright, oversaw the construction of Fort Ellsworth, and Gen. John Newton, who was in charge of the forts south of Four Mile Run, supervised the construction and managed the flow of men and material.
 The Fort was constructed on Shuter's
Hill to the east of Samuel Cooper's Cameron plantation house.

Construction began on May 25, 1861.
The perimeter was 618 yards, with room for 29 guns, including one 100-pound Parrott gun.
In August 1861, General McClellan assigned General J.G. Barnard to take charge of construction to begin creation of a really complete system of defenses
Gen. Horatio Wright, oversaw the construction of Fort Ellsworth, and Gen. John Newton, who was in charge of the forts south of Four Mile Run, supervised the construction and managed the flow of men and material.  The Fort was constructed on Shuter's
Hill to the east of Samuel Cooper's Cameron plantation house.
Construction began on May 25, 1861. The perimeter was 618 yards, with room for 29 guns, including one 100-pound Parrott gun.
Fort Ellsworth