Fort Robert Smalls
Encyclopedia
Fort Robert Smalls was a Civil War
redoubt
built by free Blacks for the defense of Pittsburgh in 1863. It stood at the top of McGuire's Hill at the mouth of Becks Run
in Arlington Heights
. It is named for Robert Smalls
, a slave who commandeered a Confederate
transport and brought his family and others to freedom in the north. 40°24′53"N 79°57′38"W
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
redoubt
Redoubt
A redoubt is a fort or fort system usually consisting of an enclosed defensive emplacement outside a larger fort, usually relying on earthworks, though others are constructed of stone or brick. It is meant to protect soldiers outside the main defensive line and can be a permanent structure or a...
built by free Blacks for the defense of Pittsburgh in 1863. It stood at the top of McGuire's Hill at the mouth of Becks Run
Becks Run
Becks Run is a tributary of the Monongahela River. As an urban stream, it is heavily polluted, receiving combined sewer outflow from Carrick and Mount Oliver, Pennsylvania. There is a waterfall on a tributary, just downstream from a slate dump, near the intersection of Wagner Avenue and Mountain...
in Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights (Pittsburgh)
For the Monroe County community, see Arlington Heights, Pennsylvania.Arlington Heights is a south neighborhood on Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The zip code used by residents is 15210, and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by the council member for District 3...
. It is named for Robert Smalls
Robert Smalls
Robert Smalls was an enslaved African American who, during and after the American Civil War, became a ship's pilot, sea captain, and politician. He freed himself and his family from slavery on May 13, 1862, by commandeering a Confederate transport ship, the Planter, to freedom in Charleston harbor...
, a slave who commandeered a Confederate
Confederate States Navy
The Confederate States Navy was the naval branch of the Confederate States armed forces established by an act of the Confederate Congress on February 21, 1861. It was responsible for Confederate naval operations during the American Civil War...
transport and brought his family and others to freedom in the north. 40°24′53"N 79°57′38"W