Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18

ARMY mol Qele1mlhcd " eStaai ca pStkSuSc-
When the boys in blue appeared on the para
pets 1T Fort Stevens and the adjacent works
the fortifcstions seemed sufficiently formida-
able to induce Early to beat a quick retreat and
march back into Virginia The accompanying
map, drawn from the official map by General
Barnard, shows the location Of the forts about
the city.
From the bombardment of Fort Sumter. April
l2-l3. 1861. until the arrival Of the Msssaehu-
setts and New York volunteers, via Annapolis,
and the reOpening of the great nor thern route
through Baltimore, Washington, almost desti-
tuts OF troops was held by an extremely pre-
cartons tenure. The defensive arrangements
consisted rather in some improyised expedi-
snts, such a. the obstructing Of bridges, roads,
DC, than in Notifications No sooner. how
ever. was the federal possession Of the capital
made sure than occupation Of the opposite shore
of the Potomac became Indispensable. The pos
sbility that large portion of the city and nearly
all the buildings occupied by the executive
branches of the government could be shelled
OF reached by direct artillery FIRE from the
heights Of Arlington made it necessary to
bold the southern shore of the Potomac. The
nearness Of Alexandria to Arlington Heights
and the importance of the place command
ing tie navigation of the Potomac, and from Its
connection with the railroad system of the
south. demanded that that point should be in
cludsd IL this occupation
SECRET "REMINISCENCES.
Gen J. g. Barnard, in his report on the de-
fsnses Of Washington, referring to this period,
saws
Although a state Of war was not yet
clearly recognized and communication with
Virginia not absolutely cut OF, IL was not
deemed prudent to make avowed 'reconnais-
rances' OF the other shore. Engineer officers,
indeed, examined the ground at the termina-
tion Of the Long bridge and of the Aqueduct,
taking such observations as they could without
attracting the notice Of the apparently un-
armed 'pickets' who watched these points;
but in the neighborhood Of Alexandria
y wa; net y, deemed Prudent to make , ssen at
ton and plans Of Forts Runyon and Corcoran
In q general way were determined upon: but
there Was not sufficient knowledge as TO the
'environs Of Alexandria to enable US to tx, even
koonjecturally. the location or character of the
WORKS required.
CROSSING THE POTOMAC.
The crossing of the Potomac took place on
the night of the sd of May, is6l. in three col
umns-one. under command of Maj Wood. by
the Cieorgetown aqueduct; another. under Maj.
(now general Heintzelman, by the Long
bridge. and another. under Col Ellsworth by
water 10 Alexandria Capt ID. p. Woodbury.,
assisted by Lieut. U. E. Cross, had charge OF
Capt b. 8. Alexander, assisted by Lieut..
=. L Prime, Of those Of the center column,
Capt b. IL. Wright, a volunteer, accom-
panied Maj. Heintzelman and devoted
himself principally to posting Of his troops. As
soon, however, as our possession Of Alexandria
was established he was sent by Gen. Mansfield
Tin chief command) TO select q point for u forti-
hcstion and TO superintend the erection
thereof. An ample supply Of intrenching tools
accompanied the troops. The works were
roughly laid out and the ground broken at
Forts Corcoran and Runyon by daylight. At
Alexandria, after preliminary reconnaissance
to select the proper site, a large Fashioned work
called Fort Ellsworth was laid out by Capt
Wright and commenced during the ensuing
day"
TIE SOUTHERN LINE OF FORTS.
During the seven weeks which elapsed be-
tween the crossing Of the Potomac and the ad-
vance Of Gen. McDowelrs army the engineer
ofhcsrs we're occupied in pushing the work on
the chain Of forts commenced on the Virginia
side .: the river. When the disaster of Bull
Run occurred the necessity Of the thorough
fOrtnyIng of Washington ceased to be doubt
full Forts Co-coran and Albany were con-
nected with intermediate works so as to
fOrtify the position on the heights of Airing
ton Forts Craig. Tillinghast, Ca-s. Woodbury.
and Strong were speedily constructed Half
sunk batteries for held guns were preferred be-
tween the sites OF Forts Strong and Woodbury.
and battery was erected on heights north o.
the Potomac between Georgetown and the dis
trlbuting reservoir. Other works were pro-
jeeted in the vicinity OF Alexandria
THE NORTH.
What was deemed the most available point.
the south shore of the Potomac, was first
strengthened before attention was turned to
the defense Of the city from approach along
the northern shores. Then Fort Reno was
erected on Tenleytown Heights, commanding
the three roads uniting at that point.
This was followed by Fort Gaines, Fort
road, Forts Iotten and Slocum, and Fort
Lincoln. commanding the Baltimore turnpike
aud Baltimore railroad Soon afterWard the
Intervening works. Forts lie Russy. Bunker
Hll, Saratoga, Slemmer and Thayer. we're built.
Then she forts on the ridge beyOnd Anacostia
were commenced and well advanced to compile
ton before the end of the wear. Forts Ethan Allen
and Marcy were constructed and insured the.
occupation OF the Virginia shore near the Chain
Drldge; Inc greater portion Of these forts
erected IN 1851 were inclosed works of earth,
though many-as Forts Craig Tillinghast. scott
earatoga and Gaines-were lunetyes with
stocksded georges. The armament Was mainly
made up OF tventy-fOur and thirty-two
Founders on sescoast carriages with a limited
proportion OF tventy-four FOUNDER siege guns
rined farroh guns and guns Of light eaiiber on
Held carriages Some Of the more imnort.n,
WORKS had . considerable ex,sn, Of bomb-proof
0over.
srRxSorHxSISo AND INTENDING THE WORKS.
WnSn me cAPisA Was again imperiled in the
fall Of 1854. after the failure Of McClellans cam
paign against Richmond, the necessity of the
further development Of the defenses of the
city was recognized A commission consisting
OF Gen- Totten, Chief Of Engineers Gen. Meigs
Gen Barry, Gen Barnard and Gen. Cullum
vas appointed by the Secretary Of War October
rs, 1861, "to examine and report upon Q plan
Of the present forts and sufficiency Of the pres
ent sy item Of defenses for the CITY," The COM
mission recommended additional works and
meanr Of strengthening old ones. One import
ant thing recommended was the location
OF heavy battery on Jones point
near Alexandria for defense against armed
vessels approaching the city. The new works
1scomrnended were entirely completed during
1858. Among these was Fort foote opposite
Alexandra, and which was garrisoned until a
few years age. A connected system Of fortif-
cation vas developed by which every promi-
neut point ct intervals Of 500 or ] 900 yards
Was occupied by an tnclosed field fort, every
important approach or depression Of ground
unseen from the forts swept by battery for
field guns, and the whole connected by rife
trenches, while roads were opened wherever
necessary. The woods were cleared for Q mile
or two in front Of the works, bomb proofs
we're provided in nearly al the forts, and the
armament was improved and strengthened.
The plan contemplated, too, that all COM
nandlng POINTS on which an .enemy
would b msiy TO concentrate artillery
- svsfpovsr thas Of sas or more Of our forts