CHAPTER 294

An Act to authorize the State Library Board to erect three markers
designating the line of Benedict Arnold’s defenses in the City of
Portsmouth.

[S 34]

Approved March 30, 1962

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. From funds provided by law, the State Library Board is authorized
to erect in the City of Portsmouth three appropriate historical markers
designating the line of Benedict Arnold’s defenses in 1781. The first
marker shall be posted in the said city at the corner of Washington and
Brighton Streets, and shall bear substantially the following legend:

BENEDICT ARNOLD'S BRITISH DEFENSES, 1781

Near this spot stood a brick windmill marking the southern limit of
a line of British redoubts erected in March 1781 by order of Brigadier
General Benedict Arnold who, under Major General William Phillips,
commanded British troops occupying Portsmouth. This line of fortifica-
tions extended north in an arc along Washington Street to the waterfront
near Court Street.

The second marker shall be posted in the city at the southeastern
corner of High Street at Washington Street, and shall bear substantially
the following legend:

BENEDICT ARNOLD’S BRITISH DEFENSES, 1781

This marks a line of British redoubts erected in March 1781 by order
of Brigadier General Benedict Arnold who, under Major General William
Phillips, commanded British troops occupying Portsmouth. The line of
fortifications extended in an arc along Washington Street from the
northern waterfront to Gosport Creek and defended Portsmouth from
American attack from the west.

The third marker shall be posted in the said city on Waverly Boule-
vard, approximately fifteen feet west of Court Street, and shall bear
substantially the following legend:

BENEDICT ARNOLD’S BRITISH DEFENSES, 1781

This marks the northern limit of a line of British redoubts erected
in March 1781 by order of Brigadier General Benedict Arnold who, under
Major General William Phillips, commanded British troops occupying
Portsmouth. This line of fortifications extended in an arc south along
Dinwiddie and Washington streets to Gosport Creek and defended Ports-
mouth from American attack from the west.