National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-04-23
OLD FORT WASHINGTON.
1t Was a Stout DofonsJ and Grand Structure
in lis Tine,
but Must Now Give Way FOR Mere
Modern EarthwOrks.

Old Fort Washington, on tho Potomac river,
is garrisoned by one soldier, Sargt r. f.
Joyce, Of tho ordnance department. The
sergeant has his family with him, and lives
in the old UNCOVERED house, surrounded
with broad verandas that was at ono time
occupied by the commanding officer of tho
fort. Fort Washington is ono of the oldest
defenses in tho United States. The work
of constructing it was commenced in
1s05 from plans prepared by one
of Gen. Lafa yette's engineer staff officers,
under the personal supervision Of Gen. Wash
ington. Tho structure was not completed
until after the war of 1872 and even aftor
that date many improvements were made.
After tho completion of tho fort 10 was ro-
garded rs one of the strongest and most i'm
pregnablc defonses in the world. Gen. La
fayetto visited the spot during his second
visit 20 this country. After n tour of in
spection through the underground chambers
and outside rifle pits, he turned to the COM
manding officer and remarked: This is the
Gibraltar of America"
reporter of The REPUBLICAN went
through the fort yesterday, and viewed the
ancient and massive masonry of war. The
engineer planned many ingenious ways Of pre-
venting surprises by shore parties. The high
aud sloping dcClivites from the parapets to
the waters edge are covered by stonc.crested
rifle pits and adroitly concealed small cannon
Tor firing grape and canister The Potomac
fronting the south end of the fort presents
the appearance of vast lake. The river turns
at that point and the curving stream winds
gracefully about the high bluff on which the
fort stands. The large smooth bore barbctte
guns, which were formerly mounted on the
south end, commanded at least five miles of
the river below, and in olden times it would
have been impossible for any of the old
1ipn-nT- batt1a gl,ipu IN hoyn
reached the bend before they were riddlod
with cannon balls. The interior of the old
fort presents a very dilapidated appearance.
1t has not been garrisOned since tho late
rebellion. The parade grounds and walls arc
ovcrgrown with weeds aud grass, and the
frame structures have long since gone to
decay.
In view of the fact that tho brick and
stone walls of the fort would soon crumblo
into dust before the terrific fire of modern
artillery, the government has decided to dis
mantle the old structure, and work has al
ready been cOmmenced. 1t is estimated that
at least 10,00000O bricks were used in the
construction of Fort Washington. As fast as
these bricks are taken out of the walls and
easements they arc brokon into
fine pieces and piled on tho
shore for use by the government in construct
ing other doienses at that very strategic
point. The latter will consist of u series OF
formidable oarthworks, extending around
the river shore. Already several earth bat
teries have boon finished and mounted with
guns. Sergt. Joyce said there were enough
bricks in the entire fort and its connections
TO build fair sized city. The cells Of the
old guard house, at the pCstern, extend away
underground. The air inside is cold
and clammy and long icicle designs Of spark
ling soda and other minerals have formed
from the curved walls and extend nearly to
the stone flooring. On the chimney of the
guard house is q large wooden sun dial with
faded figures that has told the time Of day
for over fifty years. If congress appropriates
the amount asked for the old landmark will
in few years be entirely obliterated and re.
placed by modern defCnses.