The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-08-14
until September, 1862, when they were greatl,
enlarged and improved.

until September, 1862, when they were greatly
enlarged and improved.
THE NORTHERN LINES.
Fort Sumner, work of immense strength
was constructed by uniting the redoubts OF
three smaller works-Davis, Kirby and Cross
by lines with parapet and ditch, and the fire
| from this position was greatly increased by the
| addition of guns in embrasures along the con.
| Meeting parapets. By the introduction of o
Parrott 00-pounder, an efficient fire was OBJ
| tanned on the opposite shore of the Potomac In
| advance of the Chain Bridge position.
Batteries Baily and Benson commanded the
slopes of the Valley of Powder Mill Branch
The interval from Fort Sumner to Fort Bayard
was occupied by Forts Mansfield and Simmons
lunettes whose stockaded gorges were open to
the fire of Fort Gaines, some distance in theil
rear.
Fort Bayard to the front and left of Tenally-
town, was situated on knob of rock and It's
powerful battery was intended to sweep the
approach by the River Road" and to flank the
contiguous line of defense.
THE VILLAGE OF TENALLYTowN
occupies one of the most commanding points
between the Potomac and Rock Creek, towards
the beds of which on either side the level OF
the country falls. Fort Reno was located on a
spur of the ridge in advance of the valley,
whence its guns had raking fire over the plain
in its front
From Fort Reno to Fort De Russy the space
was occupied by three smaller forts Kearny
Rossell and Terrell, which, adding their fire to
that of the larger forts on either hand, swept
the slopes of minor depressions and valleys
otherwise unseen.
Fort De Russy occupied salient and exposed
part OF the line commanding the valley of Rock
Creek and the ground eastward to Fort Stevens,
which stood upon an eminence on the Seventh
street road. A line of trenches connected the
two forts, and continued eastward to Fort Slo-
cum. These three forts were the main defense
at the northern angle of the works The latter
from Its exposed position, demanded extensive
works in support of its heavy armament. The
position was commanded by hills mile in adj
vance, and rendered necessary the EMPLOYMENT
OF 100-pounder Parrott rifles in the forts on its
left and in Fort Totten on its right, to offer a
Hank fire against hostile force in its front
Fort Totten, with the intermediate works,
Forts Slemmer, Bunker Hill, Saratoga, Morris,
and Thayer, with detached batteries, finished
the line to the Eastern Branch, where, upon q
commanding ridge, stood Fort Lincoln, whose
guns swept the country lying on either side of
the Baltimore turnpike and the valley to its
right.
DEFENsEs OF THE ANAcosTIA.
The location of the Arsenal the Navy Yard,
and the Capitol within easy cannon range of the
range of bills on the opposite shore of the Ana
costa, rendered their occupation and fortifica-
ton necessary part of the system of defense.
Fort Mahan, the fort next in line to Fort Lincoln,
on the opposite bank, occupied an important
position, commanding the Bladensburg road
and Bennings Bridge. line of trenches ex-
tended to the river, and several smaller works
for artillery were constructed to control all
approaches from the direction of Baltimore.
Battery Jamison was located higher up the
river, and on the opposite bank Forts Shaplen,
Meigs, Dupont and Davis continued the line to
Fort Baker, which, with its supports, Wagner
and Ricketts, co-operated with the heavy guns
of Fort Stanton in the defense of the Navy
Yard, short distance in their rear Forts
Snyder Carroll and Greble continued the line
to the Potomac a mile above Alexandria. Be-
low that town, Fort Foote, one of the most i'm
portant of the outlaying works, was built to CO.
operate with Battery Rogers in the defense of
the water approaches to the city, The chan
mel as far as Fort Washington, three miles lower
down, was exposed to view from its ramports,
and was enfladed by the fire of its guns. The
armament OF its water front was eight 200
FOUNDER Parrott lguns and two 15-inch guns.
The rear of the fort, parallel to the long
water front, was Fashioned and armed with field
and siege guns for a land defense. Thus
ALL COMMANDING POINTS
on which an enemy would be likely to concen-
trate for attack were under direct and enfilad-
ing fire from one or more of the forts. The
lines, though passable in some respects, beingun-
revetted, not realizing the qualities attributed
by Napoleon to fortified lines, certainly ap-
proximated TO the maximum degree of strength.
That the garrison of Washington was never
called upon TO Withstand siege is no argu-
ment against the precautions taken to insure
the possession of the National Capital against
any possible contingency, and that, through the
darkest hours of the struggle for existence, the
National Government could remain in security
within sight of the debatable ground trodden by
hostile soldiers is no slight testimonial to the
wisdom that planned and the engineering skill
that executed this important work.