Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-05-14
Old Fort Washington.
[From the Washington Republican :

[From the Washington Republican
Old Fort Washington, on the Potomac
River, is garrisoned by one old soldier
Sergt. r. f. Joyce, of the ordnance de-
partment. The sergeant has his family
with him, and lives in the old ivy
covered house, surrounded with broad
verandas, that was at one time occupied
by the commanding officer of the fort.
Fort Washington is one of the oldest
defenses in the United States. The
work of constructing it was commenced
In 1903 from plans prepared by one of
Gen. Lafayette's epgineerr'staff officery,
under the personal supervision of Gen.
Washington. The structure was not
completed until after the war of 1912,
and even after that date many improve
ments were made. After the completion
of the fort it was regarded as one of the
strongest and most impregnable defenses
in the world. Gen. Lafayette visited
the spot during his last visit to this
country. After tour, ofinspection through
acknowledgement chambers and outside
rifle pits he turned to the commanding
officer and remarked: 'This is the Glib
raltar of America"
A 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 preventing surprises by shore
parties. The high and sloping declivi-
ties from the parapets 70 the. waters edge
are covered by stone-crested rife-pits
and adroitly concealed small cannon for
firing grape and canister. The Potomac
fronting the south end of the fort pre-
sents the appearance of vast lake. The
river turns at that point, and the curry
ing stream winds gracefully about the
high bluff on which the fort stands. The
large, smooth-bore barbette guns, which
were formerly mounted on the south
end, commanded at least five miles of
the river below, and in oIden times it
would have been impossible for any of
the old wooden line. Of battle ships to
have even reached the bend before they
were riddled with cannon balls. The
interior of the old fort presents very
dilapidated appearance. It has not been
garrisoned since the late rebellion. The
parade grounds and walls are overgrown
with weeds and grass, and the frame
structures have long since gone to de-
cay.
In view of the fact that the brick and
stone walls of the fort would soon crum-
BILE into dust before the terrific fire of
modern artillery, the government has
decided to dismantle the old structure,
and work has already been commenced.
It is estimated that at least 10000 600
bricks were used in the construction of
Fort Washington. AS fast as these
bricks are taken out of the wall and
easements they are broken into fine
pieces and piled on the shore for use by
the government in constructing other de-
lenses at that very strategic point. The
latter will consist of a series of formida-
BILE earthworks, extending around the
river shore. Already several earth bat
teries have been finished and mounted
with guns. Sergt. Joyce said there
were enough bricks in the entire fort and
its connections to build q fair-sized city.
The cells of the old guard house, at the
postern, extend away underground.
The air inside is cold and clammy and
long icicle designs of sparkling 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 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 replaced by
modern defenses.