Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19

build the works. Gen. Gilmore, then in CON-
mand of the nineteenth corps. had his head
quarters here during Early's investment of
Washington. Among the troops that garrisoned
the fort at that time were Col. Alexander S first
District OF Columbia, the twelfth veteran re-
serve regiment and detachments OF the one
hundred and fiftieth Ohio National Guard and
second company New Hampshire heavy artil-
lery. The confederates made demonstration
in the direction OF the fort on the night OF July
IL. and Gen. Gilmore ordered the first division
OF his corps into position In the rear. The arm
arient OF the fort consisted of six 32-pounder
smooth bores. one 42-pounder James and one
24-pounder Calhoun mortars.
An account of Fort Scaggs is given in connec-
ton with that of Fort Craven.
Fort Scott formed the left of the interior line
covering Washington, and overlooked the mouth
Of Four Nile run and the Potomac. 1t occupies
the southern spur of Garfield ridge and is
reached by way of the Aqueduct or Long
bridge. The armament Of the fort consisted of
six heavy guns. manned oy l0S gunners. Among
other troops that occupied the works at differ
ent times were attachments of the third bat
TALON. New York artillery, and the one hun
dred and tnirty-sixth. one hundred and forty
second and one hundred and sxty-sixth Ohio
National Guard The fort was named by Gen.
Mcclellan in honor OF Gen. Winfield Scott,
the distinguished soldier who commanded the
army during the first days of the rebellion.
Fort Sedgwick was originally called Fort
Shapln and was renamed, in 1864, in honor of
Gen. John Sedgwick, native of Connecticut,
and the distinguished and beloved commander
of the old til corps, who was killed III the
saddle at Spottsylvania Court House, Va, May
9. 1854 This fort was situated on eminence
100 feet above tide level, in the eastern out
skirts of BenninS, on the west side of East
Benning road The old remains are quite con-
spicuous from the roadside. Before the war
this hill was known as Carnegie Heights, being
part of the Scaggs estate which was known in
tha lam Eula
tract now belongs 10 Mr.. A. J. Curtis of this
city. 1t was late in the war before the fort was
completed. and it was never fully armed. There
were eleven embrasures and among the few
guns mounted was one 32-pOunder siege piece
Half mile west of Brightwood on the south
side of Military ro"d east of Rock Creek and
between Forts Stevens and De Busy lin their
rear stood Battery Sill. which was named after
Gen. Joshua " oodrow Sill. u native of Ohio,
who was killed at Murfrecsboro', Tenn. Dec en-
Der 81. 1861 II WAS occupied by field guns
The old works we're visible from the road.
Fort Simmons stood between Forts Bayard
and Mansfield. on the farm of Charles Shoe
maker, about mile and Il half west Of Tenley-
town. In its rear was Fort Gaines. with Forts
Reno and Sumner on the right and left TANKS.
respectively. There is very little now to indi-
cate the site of the old work. but the position
is pointed out by residents in the vicinity
The fort was named for Col. Seneca g.
Simmons of the Pennsylvania reserves whose
regiment, the 9th. helped to build it in the
summer OF 1861. Col Simmons WAS killed Mt
Glendale, Va. June 80. 1862, while calamity
leading charge of his brigade. Its arma-
ment consisted of one S-inch seige and two ~
FOUNDER howitzers. and five 30-pounder Par
rotts. The works were occupied ut different
times by desachments OF the Pennsylvania
Reserves. company 4, Maine Coast Guards
and attachments OF the one hundred and fifty
first, one hundred and sixry-third and one
hundred and seventieth Ohio National Guard.