Named after Lieutenant William Harrison, a Confederate engineer,[1] it was the largest in the series of fortifications that extended from New Market Road to the James River that also included Forts Brady, Hoke, Johnson, Gregg, and Gilmer.

The attack failed, but Brigadier General George J. Stannard lost an arm while resisting Lee's assault.

This failure forced the Confederates to realign their defenses farther west[citation needed].

In 1930, members of the Richmond Parks Corporation, a local preservation society, constructed a log cabin on the site to serve as their headquarters.

Today, this building serves as the Fort Harrison visitor center, part of Richmond National Battlefield Park.