The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-05-28
Garrisoned by One Man.

Old Fort Washington, on the 10
tomac river, is garrisoned by one
soldier. Sergeant r. F. Joyce of the
Ordnance department. The sergeant
hes ais family with him, and lives
in the old UNCOVERED house, sur
rounded with broad versndas, that
was at one time occupied by the
commanding officer of the fort. Fort
Washington is one OF the Oldest de-
fences in the United States. The
work of constructing it was com
menced in 1908 from plans prepared
by one of General Lafayette's engln-
eer staff officers, under the personal
supervision of General Washington.
The structure was not completed un-
I'll until after the war of 1872, and
even after that date many improve
ments were made. After the com
pletion of the fort, it was regarded
as one Of the strongest and NEST I'M
preghable defences in the weird.
General Lafayette visited the spot
during his second visit TO this coun-
try. After a tour of inspection
through the underground chambers
and outside rife pits, he turned to
the commanding officer end remark
ed:
This is the Gibraltar OF Amer
ica.'
A reporter went through the fort
the other day 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
declivities from the parapets to the
waters edge are covered by stone
crested rifle pits and adroitly con-
cealed small cannons for firing grape
and canister. The Potomac, 'front.'
ing the south end of the fort, pre-
sents 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
barbette guns, which were formerly
mounted on the south end, com
manded at least five miles OF the rlv-
er below, and in olden times 1t
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 can
non balls. The interior of the old
fort presents very dilapidated APP
pearance. 1t has not been garrisoned
since the late rebellion. The grounds
and walls are oyergrown with weeds
and grass, and the frame structures
have long since gone to decay.
In view of the fact that the brick
and stone walls of the fort would
soon crumble into dust before the
terrific fire of modern artillery, the
government has decided to dlsman-
tie the old structure, and work has
already been commenced. 1t Is es-
timated that at least 1O,OOO,OOO
brick were used in the construction
of Fort Washington. As fast as
these bricks are taken cut of the
walls and easements they are broken
into fine pieces and piled on the
shore for use by the government IN
constructing other defences at that
very strategic point. The latter will
consls: of a series of formidable
earthworks. extending around the
river shore. Already several earth
batteries have been 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 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 chin
ney of the guard-house is a large
wooden sun-dial with faded figures
that has told the time of day for
over fifty years. If Congress APP
propriates the amount asked for, the
old landmark will, in a few years,
be entirely obliterated and replaced
bv modern defences.