davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19

ward became famous as the Iron Brigade" was
organized az this fort III the summer of 1861
and was cnnll Oscd or the nineteenth Indiana
and second. SIXTH and seventh Wisconsin regi-
mentS. The twcnty-fourth Michigan was added
10 the brigade soon after the battle of south
Mountain These regiments remained brigadcd
together until the close of the war. The br-
gsde's first ma:ch was from Fort Marcy tc Fort
Cas-- IL may also be interesting To know that
the tie Of Fort Mar,v IL the identical spot where
the famous bnt boobies dnel between Henry
Clay and John Randolph was fought in 1926.
Battery Martin ssott stood on the bluff over
looking the north end of the Chain bridge II
IL about three miles FROM tie Georgetown
bridge. Its armament consisted OF two t.
Founder James ritcd guns.
FORT NEIGs.
Occupying the keypoint to Boone's Ridge. an
ELEVATION that extends from Oxon run. below
GeisDoro', TO Benuins. running parallel with
Anaeo-tia. stood fort Meig< Upon this
ridge were also located Forts Mahan. SedSwick,
Craven. Dupont. Davis. Baker. Wagner. Rick
etts. Stanton. SNYDER, Carroll and GrebIe The
fort was named after Montgomery c. Meigs. a
distinguished engineer officer and quartermas-
ter general OF the army. lie WA retired at the
time OF hrs deHtt. which occurred in this c.tv in
1,9i. This was one OF the larger fOrt Is its peri
meter being 500 yards. aad was chiefly con-
by siek.es' Excelsior Brigade of New York city
troops It, armament consisted OF four s-inch
howIteFs. i've i2-pounder James. two H.
ponder kOwitzers. live l2-pounder field two
90 Pouuder PARROTS and one l0-luch and one "a
pOundsr mortars. The tort j. elevated 3Ji feet
above tdo level and the old works are now in a
f4if state Oi Preservation. IL Is just outside the
li-irict line. III Prince Georges county Nd at
the Juncture OF East BsEu'ng. Marlboro and
IOwen roads. and Is four miles distant from
Anacostia aud two and half miles from Ben
ming. Company Il. seventeenth Maine; COM
pAny "a. third nited states artillery; ninth end
fourteenth companies. Massachusetts heavy ar
t.ilery; knanP's company Is. Pennsylvania artl-
Ierr. AMI sicklcs Excelsior Brigade" were
amons the troops that occupied this fort during
the WI.
Fort Morton was constructed late in tho war
AMI wa named in hOnor Of the great war gov
eTnor o! inc.ana, Diver Perry Morton Its AR
marnent was never completed. but a battery OF
l3-pOunGer Napoleon guns was placed in posi-
tion- i'll" o.d works. which ~ill be found abut-
Sns on TIC north side Of the Ballston road, less
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19

Fort Slemmer was named in honor of Lieut..
Adam J. Slemmer, a native OF Pennsylvania
and tho brave preserver Of Fort Pickens. who
distinguished himself during the war, attain
ing high rank and honors. This was a small,
but well-placed work, and was located on the
east side Of Hardwood road Immediately
north OF the Catholic University building.
The old works entirely obscured today by
thick growth of young trees. The twenty
sixth New York moved into the works in Feb
ruary. 1862, and did considerable toward
completing them. They were subsequently
occupied, among others. by detachments Of
New Hampshire heavy artillery, and one
hun and fiftieth Ohio National Guard Its
armament consisted Of one S-inch sea coast
howitzer and three 42-pounder James guns
Fort Slecum stood on the west side of Blair
road a short distance south of Lamonds a
station on the Metropolitan Branch railroad,
but there is not vestige Of the old works TO
be seen today. 1t was on what ia now known
as the OHare farm, and part OF the works
extended across the road into the StOtts'
property. The settlement is still known by
the name of Slocum. The elevation here is
32l feet above the level of the Potomac, but
some of the hills in front are twenty or thirty
feet higher, giving to an enemy most advan-
tageous emplacements for artillery. The same
criticism applies TO Fort stevens, and 1t is a
significant fact that Early selected these forts
as the points Of his principal attack. The fort
was built by the second Rhode Island infantry,
and 1t may be stated as an interesting fact
that this regiment helped to defend il against
Early's assault i'll the action OF July Ia, 1854
1t mounted twenty-five guns, of which one was
an S-inch siege howitzer, two 24-p0upder siege
guns, two 24-pounder sea coast guns, four "a
FOUNDER howltzers, seven AZ inch rihed guns,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19

connecting this fort with Fort Ellsworth we're
two luncttcs or supporting batteries. the re-
mains Of which are visible from Little River
road.
POET WOODBURY..
Fort Woodbury. is in a fair state OF preserve
ton. but obscured by heavy growth Of trees.
and Will be found on the south side Of Ballsson
road about mile southwest from the Aqne-
duct bridge. Fort Morton is across the road
1t is reached by following the line OF rife pits
along the margin of the road for a few hum
dred yards The old works are within the lira-
its Of the new villa of Fort Myer Heights. and
streets are already being run through them.
that the probabilities are that there VIII
soon be no trace OF the old fort left The fort
mounted thirteen guns, - follows: Fiye a.
FOUNDER siege. three 30-pounder parrotts
four 6-pounder rIfed and one 2f-pounder Cal
houn mortars. The fort was named by Gen
Mcclellan after Gen. ID. p. Woodbury. Of the
engineer corps, who IN 1861 was in command
OF a section OF the dcfcnses in the vicinity Of
ALEXANDRIA. IL was occupied at various times
by detlchments of the sixteenth Maine fourth
New York heavy artillery, fourteeath company
sachusetts heavy artillery, sixteenth Con-
uccticut
Fonr WORTH.
The site OF old Fort Worth is now q besuti-
ful spot Its once warliko parapets beam peace
fully, thanking, they do. tho attractive resi-
dence OF Col Arthur Herbert The present
house was built shortly after the war. and one
of the old magazines makes the cellar, and Q
splendid cellar it is-undoubtedly the most ex-
pcnsiSe one in the state Of Virginia The other
magazine is used as a dairy or spring house.
The fo-t was named by Gen Mcclellan in
honor of Cen William Jenkins Worth. a native
Of Hudson. y. Y. distinguished soldier Of the
Mexican war. The armament consisted Of
fourteen guns. among them being n rifed 100
FOUNDER. which intended 10 sweep the sec
ton from Fort Lyon on the left around TO Fort
Ward on the right Among the troops that &C.
cupicd the fort nj different times were detach-
ments of the second New York light artillery,
the first Massachusetts infantry and tine third
battalion New York artillery.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19

kind connected with the defenses. Hardly q
trace of the old works remain. The battery
was named i'll honor Of Commander George
Washington Rodgers. native OF New York
and graduate OF the Naval Aca denny. who was
killed in the attack on Fort Wagner, in
Charleston harbor. August II. 1869.
Battery Rossell is described in the account OF
Fort Kearney.
FORT RUNYoS.
The first fort of the defcnses of Washington
planned was Fort Runyon. work ON it having
been commenced by daylight Of May "a, 1861.
by the seventh New York. To Runyon's New
Jersey brigade (second. third and fourth regi-
ments) belongs the honor Of building this the
largest Of the forts, and il was named after the
brigade commanding officer. Theodore Run
yon. 1t was constructed under the direction
Of Capt L. S. Alexander OF the engineer corps
OF the army. This fort stood at the margin of
the bottom lands Of the Potomac, in the angle
formed by the junction of the Washington and
Alexandra and Columbia roads, about half a
mile south OF the Long bridge. The old works
are now In the midst of the extensive brick
yards that abound in tho vicinity of Brick
Haven and Waterloo, and a portion Of them
yet remain. but the greater part Of the historic
clay thrown up here by the boys of 1861 now
does service in the walls of Washington houses.
The perimeter of this fort exceeded that of any
OF tue other forts, covering an area OF about
Twelve acres, and its armament consisted OF
twenty-three guns. one of which was q, 80
FOUNDER rifled PARROT. eight were S-inch sea
coast howitzers. ten were 32-pOunders and four
6-pounder field guns. all mounted on bafbette
Carriages. These were manned by 3l5 men.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19

FORT roTrES.
Fort Totten occupied - strong and command
ing position on Rock Creek Church road. Rock
Creek and National cemeteries being on its
west and south, respectively. The old works
which are yet quite prominent, are now
banked on the west by the struggling village
of Rupliville. The fort was named in honor OF
Cen Joseph Gilbert Totten. a native OF Con
nectlcut. who was at the head of the engineer
bureau in Washington. A few rods north o..
the fort WAS battery for field pieces. The
headquarters of the seventy-sixth New York
were here in February. 1862. During Early's
investment the fort was garrisoned by bat
terry A. fourth United States artillery, and de-
tachments from the one hundred and fiftieth
Ohio National Guard and first company New
Hampshire heavy artillery. I Rebel cavalry
operated IN the vicinity OF the fort on July II
and L. 1864, and were shelled The armament
consisted of twenty guns. among them being
some heavy rifcd pieces aud mortars. 4 bat
terry for field pieces stood imme diately north
OF the fort.
The remains of Battery Vermont which was
hailt by Vermont troops in 1864. will be found
on the south side of Chain Bridge road. about
Ito yards east of the Conduit road. and nearly
opposite the watchman's house at the south
end OF receiving reservoir. Ii is Just within
the District line. The works are in a fair state
OF preservation. but cannot be seen from the
trees upon them. Ii was named by GEN Nc
Clellan in a general order. Detachments of
first New Hampshire and fourth New York
heavy artillery, second Vermont. first Rhode
Island. one hundred and SEVENTEEN Ohio Ma
tional Guard garrisoned the battery at various
times. The earthworks of old Fort Marcy.
over on the Virginia side, conspicuous from
this point. The armament consisted OF three
S2-pounder seacoast guns.
FORT WAGNER
Fort Wagner was at Good Hope and occu-
pied the angle formed by the junction OF Good
Hope, Hamilton and Silver Hill roads. but no
trace OF the work is visible now. The large
barn in the rear of Mr.. jenkins house is on
the site OF the old works. 1t was originally
called Port Good Hope" few hundred
yards south. at the junction of Hamilton road
and Anger avenue. is an old stone church A.
NJ. L. that was used as a hospital during the
war. Fort Wagner was one of the smaller
forts. its permeter being only 100 feet. and
mounting five guns. One of these was an
Sinch seacoast howitzer. three were u
FOUNDER mountain howitzers and the other
was 2i-pounder Calhoun mortar. IL was in
tended TO sweep the valley along which Silver
Hill road runs. The early work on the fort
was done by SickIes brigade Of New York
city men. in 1861 Company II, seventeenth
Maine, moved into the fort in August 1862
where II remained several months 1t was
also occupied in 1862 by detachments of the
elghty-cIghth Pennsylvania and ninth Rhode
Island. 4 detachment of Capt. Richardson's
twelfth company Massachusetts heavy artillery
occupied II in May. 1864 The fort was named
alter Lieut.. Orlando q. Wagner. Typographical
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19

engineers L. S. A., who had charge of its con-
struction
Fort Ward was named after Can't. James
Herman Ward of the navy. a native of Hart
ford. Conn. who was killed at Matthias Point
on the Potomac. June y. 1861. This fort is
situated on the Leesburg turnpike, three miles
northwest OF Alexandria. about the sai.e dis
lance south of Washington. and mile west Of
Fairfax seminary. II occupies a commanding
position. 2s5 feet above the level OF the Poto-
mac, overlooking the country northwardly and
westwardly toward Baily's cross roads and
Bniiston- To-day the old works are the center
OF thriving negro settlement. The earth
works are well preserved especially the line of
rifle pits that connect the fort with it, neigh
bor, Fort Worth. TO the southwark They are
not at all obscured by trees or other vegeta-
ton The armament of the fort comprised
seventeen guns. one OF which was a 100
FOUNDER rifle cannon. Among the troops that
occupied this fort ut different times during the
war were detaehments OF the second New York
light artillery. third battalion New York artil-
lery. Col Tyler's Connecticut regiment. the
second Connecticut heavy artillery. the thir-
teenth New Jersey infantry. The last named
organization did good deal of the work on
the fort and rifle pits.
FORT WASHINGTON.
This old fort constituted no part Of the
defenses of Washington. properly speaking.
but its nearness to the city eight miles below
Fort Foote) made it practically position Of
great local Importance. Its water front is OF
masonry, an antiquated structure that would
be OF little defensive use in these modern days
of improved methods of warfare.
For. Weed stands on the west side of old
Mount Vernon road little north Of its Juno
tion with Gravel road being about seven and
half miles from the Capitol and one and half
miles south Of Alexandria In its rear is Fort
Lyon. Forts Farnsworth and O'Rorke being
east of it. This fort was originally an outpost
supporting battery of Fort Lyon, and was
then known as ''Redonbt A." The old works
are now a part Of the farm OF Mr. Ballanger,
whose pleasant dwelling house is in their
midst. The fort was named in honor of Gen.
Stephen II. Weed. native Of New York city,
and graduate of the Military Academy who
died July 2, 1851, of wounds received at
Gettysburg. This fort was built by dotach-
Capt Andrew Potter having charge Of the
work.
Fort whipple stood on the elevated platesu
northwest OF Arlington House. overlooking the
city of Washington, and commanded an exten-
sive radius OF country in every direction. IL
was one Of the finest field works ever con-
structed, and was completed early in the var.
No trace OF the old works are now visible, but
1t stood ON the plateau directly in front Of the
old ofscsrs qnarters Fort Cas- stood imneds-
ately in 'front.' The fort was named after Gen.
A. W. Whipple, . native OF Massachusetts,, who
oomlnsnded section Of the fortsdcstions u
the victnity Of the Chain bridge n loe2, and
Who 1ied n this city h Nag, 10, Of wounds
received e Chsnoeflogsville. 1hs go hns
loag besn tnown - Fort uysr- ~ fAs eloss
g - vsr IL sort - soavsstpa fn1o ssnp
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19
T O r T RAN is Ely.
IFRoM WARTIME SKETCHES

heavy artillery. ninth New York Independent
Battery. company b. Maine Coast Guards; one
hundred and seventeenth New York, battery L,
first Ohio artillery. and one hundred and fifty
first Ohio National Guards. Redoubts Kirby
Originally called Fort Franklin. after Gen.
VIM. b. Frsnklin) and Cross Originally called
Fort Ripley. after Gen james W. Ripley were
parts OF the fort proper. Redoubt Davis (orig-
inally called Fort Alexander. in honor Of Capt
Barton S. Alexander. corps of engineers. who
superintendent construction a supporting bat
terry. stood on bluff overlooking the Conduit
road and Potomac river. There was also block
house on the roadside. This old earthwork Is
well preserved and can be reached from the
Conduit road by way of ravine. which is en-
tered a couple of hundred yards TO the west
ward of Dowling's hotel. They are on the
ridge on the west side of the ravine.
FORT TAYLOR.
Fort TAYLOR was on the east side OF the Lees
burg road, little north of where it crosses
the Annandale road, and Immediately north
west of Upton's Hill. 1t did not form part of
the regular line of works. The old works.
which this year are in the midst of an outfeld,
are we'll preserved. 1t was rather frail struct-
ure, such field batteries were in the habit
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19


1eesburg road. about mile west OF the Chain
bridge. and j. distant from Georgetown. D way
OF tie Canal road. about four and quarter
miles. The fort was originally called Badly
Smith" ia honor o: Gen. ". 7. Smith. the
troops OF whose division were the FIST to engage
in throwing up the works. The seventy ninth
Few York H.ghlanders. the on hundred and
forty-iirst Pennsylvania and the Iron
brigade" also did considerable work
on the intrrnchments during the win
ter Of iSCI-G2 The works were corn
pieted In the ia.l O. 1862. force OF more
than 800 contrabaEds having been employed
upon them tor a considerable period of time.
The one hundred and hftv-second New York
worked ON the intrenchnents IL the fall OF 1862.
The fort renamed Fort Marcy b. Gen. Me-
CIelian in General Order No. Is. o,lS6I. III honor
Of Gen. Randolph BARNES Marcy a native OF Mas
s.sshusetts distinguished solder and father
in-law u Gen. Mcclellan. Of whose staff he was
chief The armament Os tie fo-t consisted of
some twenty heavy guns. among them being six
9O-pOunder and three 20-pOunder PARROTS. De
tachments %. the fourth New York heavy artii-
lery. the third Pennsylvania heavy artillery and
the one hundred and thirtieth Pennsyiva in
fEntry were among the troops that performed
garrison duty here during the War. Tae fact
may be stated here, an interesting incident of
history, that the body OF troops which after
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19

1.-THE MAGAZINE AS IT NOW APPEARsl

level Of the river. The old works are nearly
demolished, but one of the magazines, piece
OF the northern parapet and ditch, and splen-
did old well still remain to remind the visitor
OF war time. The fort was named in honor
OF Gen. George Crockett Strong, o native
OF Vermont who died July 80, 1868. Of wounds
received at Fort Wagner in Charleston har-
Dor, on the 18th Of that month. The armament
consisted OF nine guns, four of which being
2%poundsr siege guns. These guns were
manned by 1876 men. Among the troops that did
garrison duty in this fort during the war were
detachments OF the hrst Now York hight and
fourth New York heavy artillery and sixteenth
Maine infantry. There are Ave other forts in
the immediate vicinity: Forts Smith and Ben
nett to the northward, on the river bank: Fort
Corcoran TO the eastward. on the Ballston road,
and Forts Morton and Woodbury. to the south
ward, on same road. On the opposite or south
side Of the road, q little to the eastward. once
stood tho large hospital buildings connected
with the forts In the vicinity. small yellow
building back Of the road represents the war
time structures.
YoRr sunNkR.
Fort sumner was situated ON Iydsr's by
road. ct the head Of the receiving reservoir,
and half mile north Of the Conduit road, on
q high blun called River View. II vas COM
posed OF three small works, Originally known
- Forts Alexander, Frankliu and Ripley, and
intended to protect TIE reservoir ana Chain
bridge The works vsrs brilt a ths property
Of NJ. ALBERT Ledgs, but il \ nov owned b
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19

the brothers Book. who in the process OF erect
ing new buildings had to level a good part OF
the psrapets. portion of them ars set pre-
served Mr.. Lodges present residence rs on
the opposite side of the road. Forts Mans
field. Simmons. Bayard Reno and Gaines are
TO the eastward. not Ear of. The fort is best
reached from Washington by way of George
town and the conduit road. IL was named for
Gen. Edwin Nose Sumner who died of wounds
received at Antletau,. while leading the second
corps. and was largely built By the one hun
dred and seventeenth New York. Il was one
OF the largest Of the forts and its armament
consisted Of three S-inch howitzers. eight 81
FOUNDER and fear 24-pounder sea coast guns.
two l0o-poundsr rieed PARROTS. siA s1<-inch
riied guns. six 6-pounder james. one iO-inch
siege mortar and two 2i-pounder Cslhouns.
Among the troops that garrisoned the fort were
attachments OF the ffty-ninth and one hundred
and seventeenth New York, fourth New York
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19
f o r T NJ o r T O n,

than mir from the Aqnetuet bridge. are in an
excellent stat" ot presentation The two one
story frame buildings that were used as officers
quarters Src stall there. being occupied by n
couple OF coiorUt fanatics. The occupant OF
one Of them Is Andrew Jackson. whom many
an old solder will remember for he served in
the fort as a servant to the officers most of the
time. A number % other forts are IN the i'm
mediate vicinity. Fort Woodbury. being on the
opposite side OF the road. while Forts Strong
Smith and Bennett TO the northward to-
ward the Potomac. Forts Coreoran and Hag-
gerty are 10 the eastward, the former being
also On the Balston road
FoKr nuNsox
A famous fort was Fort Munsou, the name OF
which used by the soldiers all through the
war As a byword and stigma. 1t situated
on Munsou's H;ll which then and is now
Che property Of Mr.. Daniel o. Aunson. loyal
yirgini.n, who suffered greatly from depreda-
tions Of the soldiers OF both armies The old
works mot. however. a part Of the defenses
proper. which were first constructed by the
confederates. and aftervard added TO by the
Union troops. occupied the summit Of the hill,
On the east side OF tine road, but not q vestige
Of them remain today. They we're intended
merely for battery Of field guns and were
nsvsr very formidable. This position vas nrss
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19
The Representative nj Colorado aud Wyom-
ing On the NationnI Council.
SAW soME HARD FIGHTING.

The Representative nj Colorado aud W yom-
Ing On the National Council.
Com-ade john ID. Cooke. who represents the
Department Of Colorado and Wyoming in the
national council of administration. saw some
hard fighting during the war. In August, 1861,
when he was eighteen years old. he enlisted 40
private Elm company E. ninety-fifth regiment
Pennsylvania volunteers, better known as Coz
lines Zouayes. His reg .ment Joined Newton's
brigade. franklin's division, Army of the Po-
tomac, early in the fall of 1861. He partic,-
pated In the Seven Days fight on the penin-
suia, hls regiment losing its colonel and major
and about 200 men on the first day at the bat
tie of Games Mil. He served continuously
with his regiment. which was connected WITH
the gallant sixth corps. and took part in al
the memorable battles in which the corps made
such briliantrecord He rs-eB.istcd in the
winter Of 1864 at Brandy station. Virginia. He
participated in the battles of the Wilderness
under Grant and received a flesh wound In the
right leg in the Bloody Angle at spottsylvania,
remaining in the fight till O'Clock the next
morning, when his regiment was relieved, hav-
ing lost over 100 men out Of the 200 Who 60
tered the battle. He was wounded twics II
front Of Petersburg and at the battle of Sailors
Creek, Va, May 9. 1885. three days before
Lees surrender, he had his right ankle
broken with Q minnie ball. for which he wss
discharged. on crutches. on July ~ with the
rank Of sergeant His regiment b Numbered
by Fox NJ among the crack fighting Regiments
Of the war, being particularly noted for IL
loss Of officers having lost Eve coioneiG
After the war Comrade Cooke beesne a
bookkeepef In the Union National Bank Of
Philadelphia, and was afssrvsrd consecsed
with the Union banking Company in the came
city In June. 1873, be was Rrsdssssd froo
Bucknell University, Pennsyivansa, hsvin1
pursued . thorough classical courss ~ sssdv
in that institution Of lesrninG. In ISL - ~
graduated from Croser SEMINARY, Chester. IA.
having spent shrss yess n proesakssl
studieG
For the past twelve ysan - hss bsss . ~.
dent Of Colorado. having ssrvsd - s1psr1np
tendent Of public instrsetson Tor e. esoney.
and 10 II prrssnt holding ~ rsspsns1bls ~
lucrative once 81 clerk q ~ 6islrSct aous 6eP
shs eighth Judicial district, OssoesAe. n =
- sxtsnsivs ransh ovnsr and has sour soan0
uansgtng kss Aargs farUa He - beca -
sctivs and pruminsas member - ~ a. n n
for wany y0ass, havtne ssrvsd q - Apoore
us.e an1 nsitonal 49, - - sspsuoiBo11
=: 49, -. - 49, 9 osss,sSs - 49,