Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

Church road, about a mile southwest of
Rosslyn, and Is reached by way Of George
town and the AQueduct bridge. 1t is 23S
feet above the level of the river. The old
works are nearly demolished, but one of
the magazines, piece of the northern par
apet and ditch and a splendid old we'll still
remain to remind the visitor of war time.
The fort was named In honor of Gen
George Crockett Strong a native of Yer
mont, who died July 80. 1863. of wounds re-
ceived at Fort Wagner, in Charleston har-
Dor on the 18th of that month. The arma-
ment consisted of nine guns four of which
being twentyfour-poun siege guns.
These guns were manned by 1875 men.
Among the troops that did garrison duty in
this fort during the war were detachments
OF the list New York Light and 4th New
York Heavy Artillery and 10th Maine In
fantry. There are five other forts in the
Immediate vicinity-Forts Smith and Ben
nett to the northward, the river bank;
Fort Corcoran to the eastward. on the
Ballston road, and Forts Morton and Wood
bury to the southwark. on the same road.
On the opposite or south side OF the road,
a little to the eastward. once stood the
large hospital buildings connected with the
forts In the vicinity. A small yellow build
Ing back of the road represents the war
time structure.
Fort Bennett
This fort occupied the eastern point of
of the Aqueduct bridge from the westward
What are left Of the old works are OBJ
secured by the trees that have grown since
the war. Fort Bennett was named after
Captain Michael P. Bennett, 2sth New
York. who superintended its construction
The troops in this fort had the benefit of
practice on two eight-inch howitzers and
three twenty-four-po smooth bores
which comprised the armament Seventy
five gunners were required for these guns
Company +, 4th New York Heavy Artil-
lery, was here in the spring Of 1862 The
works of old Forts Smith and Strong were
In the immediate vicinity, the former to
the westward, the latter to the southwest
ward.
Fort Corcoran.
This fort is reached by way of the Adue-
duct bridge and is on the north side of the
Ballston road, half a mile south of the VIII
iage Of Rosslyn. There is little left of this
famous and formidable work, the advance
Of time having made telling lnroads on 1t.
Il being in the midst of a growing section.
Two or three farm houses are built on
the site, behind which a section of the rife
pit stands, in a dilapidaIed condition This
fort was one of the first of the works form
Ing the defenses Of Washington that was
constructed. 1t was built mainly bv the
members of the Goth New York. after
whose distinguished colonel Michael Cor
COIdI' II WAS named. Inc work
sructed under the direction of Captain D
i. Woodbury., Corp of Engineers L. S.
A. This fort had an armament of some
twenty-five guns, among them being twelve
eight-inch howitzers and three three-inch
PARROTS. In addition various light batter
les formed part of the garrison during the
war. The main object of the fort was the
protection Of the Aqueduct bridge, which
had been converted by the authorities into
military bridge. forming an important
part of the defenses of Washington. Among
other troops that garrisoned this fort dur
Ing the war were attachments of the I'd
end 10Th Maine, the Iron Brigade 18TH
2Sth, 41st, DIST, 9th and 101st New York
and Battery Z, I'd U s. Artillery In the
immediate vicinity of Fort Corcoran were
forts Haggarty, on the east, Fort Bennett
on the north. Forts Smith. Strong and
Morts on the west, and Fort Woodbury. on
the south.
Fort Haggarty.
Fort Haggarty small works was stu
ated short distance south of the Virginia
end of the Aqueduct bridge. near the bed
OF the old canal portion of the old works
are yet visible. Its armament consisted of
four 2i-pounder smooth bores mounted on
barbette carriages. II was named after
Lieut.. Col. James Haggarty Of the Goth
New York Irish Regiment who died of
wounds received at the first Bull Run
where he rendered distinguished service.
Fort Morton was constructed late in the
war and was named in honor of the great
war governor of Indiana, Oliver Perry Nor
ton. Its armament was never completed,
but a battery of twelve-pounder Napoleon
guns were placed in position. The old works
which Will be found abutting on the north
side of Ballston road, less than mile from
the Aqueduct bridge, are in excellent state
OF preservation. The two one-story frame
buildings that were used as officers quar-
tiers are still there. being occupied by a
couple of colored families. The occupant OF
one is Andrew Jackson whom many an old
soldier will remember, for he served In the
fort as a servant to the officers most OF
the time. A number of other forts are in
the immediate vicinity, Fort Woodbury. be-
ing on the opposite side Of the road while
Forts Strong, Smith and Bennett are to
the northward toward the Potomac.
Fort Woodbury..
Fort Woodbury. 10 in q fair state of preser-