[1][2] The Army built the fort shortly after its rout at the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) in late July 1861.

[3] The Army named the fort after General Israel B. Richardson, whose division had been deployed to defend the City of Washington against attack by way of the Columbia Turnpike.

[2] The structure, which was the highest fortification on the Arlington Line, occupied a commanding position on the crest of a ridge.

[12] The remnants of Fort Richardson are presently located on the grounds of the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington County, Virginia.

[1] A historic marker that the Arlington County government erected in 1965 stands along the Country Club's private access road (Memorial Drive) alongside the remnants of the fort.