davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

manding 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 promi-
nent are fianked on the west by the stray
Cling village of Ruphville. The fort was
named in honor Of Gen. Joseph Gilbert Tot
ten native of Connecticut, who was at
the head Of the engineer bureau in WASH
ington. "A few rods north of the fort was
battery for field pieces. The Headquarters
Of the 18th New York were here in Febru-
ary 1862. During Early's investment the
fort was garrisoned by Battery A, 4th
United States Artillery, and attachments
from the 15Oth Ohio National Guard and LIST
Company, New Hampshire Heavy Artil-
lery. Rebel cavalry operated In the vicinity
Of the fort on July II and T. 1884 and
were shelled. The armament consisted of
twenty -four guns, among them being some
heavy rifed pieces and mortars A battery
of field pieces stood Immediately north Of
the fort
Fort Slocum.
Fort Slocum stood on the west side of
Blair road, a short distance south Of La
mond' s. a station on the Metropolitan branch
railroad, but there is not vestige of the
old works to be seen today. 1t was on what
is now known as the Blair farm and part
of the works extended across the road into
Stott's property. The settlement Is still
known by the name OF SlOCum. The eleva-
ton here Is 800 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 advantageous emplacement 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 ID Rhode Island Infantry, and it
may be stated as an interesting fact that
this regiment helped to defend it against
Early's assault in the action of July -,
1864 1t mounted twenty-five guns. one of
which was an S-inch siege Howitzer two
"A FOUNDER siege guns, two 24-pOunder sea-
coast guns. four 24-pounder Howitzers,
seven 41s-inch rifled guns, six 10-pound Pat
rotts one 10-inch siege mortar and two
"a FOUNDER Calhoun mortars. The fort was
named for Col. John S. Slocum Of the I'd
Rhode Island Infantry, who was killed at
first Bull Run. There was a good deal of
excitement and alarm In the vicinity Of this
fort during the period of Early's invest
ment in July, 1864, end it is said that the
first shot of the battle was fired from one
of its guns at 11:30 pm. of the 18th, by or
der of Capt. ]. n. Abbey, I'd Pennsylvania
Heavy Artillery. who then had charge of
the artillery in the fort. Gen NJ c. Megs,
with some 100 employees of the quarter
masters office occupied the rifle pits in the
vicinity of this fort during the battle, and
it was also supported by Col Prices Gran
els Price 18th New Jersey Volunteers bri-
gade of z. 800 conValeScentS taken from the
hospital and representing nearly every
regiment in the Army of the Potomac. The
fort was garrisoned by Company F, 10th
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09
fort is leveled, but a section Of the rifle
pits still exist

fort is leveled, but a section Of the rifle
pits still exist
Fort Sumner.
Fort Sumner was situated on Ryders by
road. at the head Of the receiving reservoir,
and half mile north Of the Conduit road,
on high bluff. called River View. 1t was
composed OF three small works originally
known as Forts Alexander, Franklin and
Ripley, and intended to protect the reser-
voir and Chain bridge. The works were
built on the property Of Mr.. Albert Lodge.
but 1t Is now owned by the brothers Book,
who. In the process of erecting new build
ings. had to level good part of the para
pets. A portion Of them are yet preserved.
Mr.. Lodges present residence Is on the OPP
posite side of the road. Forts Mansfield.
Simmons, Bayard and Reno and Gaines are
to the eastward. not far off. The fort is
best reached from Washington by way Of
Georgetown and the Conduit road. 1t was
named for Gen. Edwin Vose Sumner, who
died Of wounds received at Antietam, while
leading the I'd Corps and was largely built
by the 117th New York. 1t was one Of the
largest of the forts, and its armament con-
sisted OF three eight-inch howitzers. eight
thfrty-two-pounder and four twentyfour-
FOUNDER seacoast guns, two 1O0-pounder
rified PARROTS and six four and one-half-
inch rff1ed guns. six six-pounder James,
one ten-inch siege mortar and two twenty
four-pounder Calhouns Among the troops
that garrisoned she fort were attachments
Of the 59th and 117th New York. 4th New
York Heavy Artillery. 9th New York hide
pendent Battery, Company B. Maine Coast
Guards: 117th New York Battery, list Ohio
Artillery and 151st Ohio National Guards
Redoubts Kirby Originally called Fort
Franklin. after Gen. William B. Franklin)
and Cross Originally called Fort Ripley
after Gen. James w. Ripley were parts of
the fort proper. Redoubt Davis Originally
called Fort Alexander in honor of Capt
Barton 8. Alexander. Corps of Engineers.
who superintended the construction). A
supporting battery stood a bluff over
looking the Conduit road and Potomac
river. There was also a blockhouse on the
roadside This old earthwork is well pre-
served, and can be reached from the Con-
duit road by way of a ravine, which Is en-
tered couple Of hundred yards to the
westward of Dowling's Hotel. They are on
the ridge on the west side of the ravine.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

main travelways These were soon con.
structed. To name them is to enumerate
the most important features of this system
of defending the city. Fort Lincoln and
Fort Thayer guarded the Bladensburg Pike.
Fort Stevens and Fort Slocum and 7th
street road; Fort Reno and Fort Bayard
the roads into Montgomery county at the
northwest; Fort Marcy and Fort Ethan AL
len, the approaches to the Chain bridge:
Fort Corcoran and Fort Bennett the Aoue.
duct bridge: Fort Runyon and Fort Albany
the Long bridge; Fort Foot and Fort Sum-
ner-the one far south of the city and the
other near the present Glen Echo-the Po-
tomac river: Fort GrebIe and Fort Stanton
the roads from Prince George county
With the general key to the system thus
manifest in these channels Of approach to
Washington. 1t should be easy to follow the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

New York, during the first half Of the year
1862 In the summer of 1864 it was garri-
soned, among other troops, by detachments
of New Hampshire heavy artillery, looth
Ohio National Guard, 18th Michigan Bat
terry and Companies and B. Knapps
Pennsylvania Artillery.
Fort Stevens.
Fort Stevens was originally called Fort
Massachusetts and was built soon after the
first Bull Run. chiefly by General d. N.
COUGHS brigade, which was composed of the
7th and 10th Massachusetts,, ID Rhode Is
land and Both New York Regiments The
10th New York. and other regiments also,
contributed to it's completion The fort re-
ceived its present name through a general
order Of the War Department in the spring
Of 1863 in honor of Brgadier General Isaac
ingalls, Stevens, a native of Massachusetts,,
VINO was killed at Chantilly, Va, Septem-
Der l. 1867. This fort, which bears the dis
tinction of having been the scene Of some
stubborn lighting, Is situated on Bright
WOOD avenue 9th street road Of old, in
the northern outskirts of the village of
Brightwood, about five miles north Of the
Capitol and three miles from Florida ave-
nue., old Boundary street) A part Of the
OLD works are standing in a fair state of
preservation. Fort Stevens being the prin-
clpal protector and defender of the chief
highway leading into Washington made
the position very important one. The i'm
portance was augmented by the fact Of the
posltion being naturally weak, inviting,
II old' the main attack of the enemy. 1t
was regarded as the key to the defenses of
the city. About mffe In advance of the
Tort the country rises to heights Of from
twenty to thirty feet higher than the crests
OF the work.. furnishing to- an enemy most
advantageous positions for artillery. Early
was quick in discovering this weakness and
concentrating his troops saccordingly But
mas ms plans We're frustrated, thanks to the
timely arrival of reinfor dement's. The fort
was furnished with a. powerful armament,
mostly of siege guns, well protected by en-
nrasures and traverses. The extension of
the work had stockaded gorge, fanked by
a oiock house. 1t also contained an extern
slVe bombproof. d. 81
Fort De Russey.
Fort De Russey occupied very COM
handing point of the Military road west of
brlshtWood, overlooking the valley Of Rock
creek and controlling the country roads to
the westward. The elevation Is 354 feet.
Inc fort was named after Col Gustavius
A. De Russey, 4th New York Heavy Artil-
iefy, whose command mainly constructed 1t.
Batteries Seward and Kingsbury.
1t had two supporting batteries-seward
and Kingsbury-the one on the right and
the other on the left flank. Battery Kings
bury stood on the north side Of the mill
tary road. close to Rock creek, and the
WORKS are visible from the road It was
named IN honor OF Col. Henry W. Kings
bury OF Connecticut, who was mortally
wounded In Antietam. Battery Smead was
named after Capt John r. Smead. 9Th
United States Artflfey, who was killed at
Centervfi1e, Va It was located at the
Junction OF Milk ford and Military roads, on
an eminence overlooking Broad branch, op-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

of Early's investment of Washington, the
fort was garrisoned by a detachment of
New Hampshire heavy artillery, and 15Oth
Ohio National Guard.
Fort Saratoga.
The lunette known as Fort Saratoga was
on the north side of Brentwood road, lit
tie east of where it crosses the Queens
Chapel road, about two and half miles
north of the city. The old works are nearly
obiterated, the site now being cultivated
field, belonging to a Mrs. Walsh. little
south of the fort, on the opposite side or
the Brentwood road, stood Battery Morris,
erected for the of field pieces. Inc
elevation is 1856 feet above mean tide level.
The 10TH Pennsylvania occupied the fort IN
1862 and helped build the works. General
Gilmore, then in command of the 18th
Corps had his headquarters here during
Early's investment of Washington. Among
the troops that garrisoned the fort at the
time were Colonel Alexander's list District
Of Columbia the 18th Veteran Reserve
Regiment and detachment of the 150th Ohio
National Guard and I'd Company, New
Hampshire Heavy Artillery. The confed-
crates made demonstration IN the dlrec-
ton of the fort on the night Of July II,
and General Gilmore ordered the first divi-
sion of his corps into position in the rear
The armament of the fort consisted OF six
32-pounder smooth bores, one 42-pounder
James and one "a FOUNDER Calhoun moFtars.
Fort Bunker Hill.
This fort Is now in the limits Of the flour
ishng village of Brookland. The fort was
built by the 11th Massachusetts and was
named after Bostons famous old revolu-
tionary fort. During Early's investment
of the city in 1864 the fort was garrisoned
by Company B, Maine Coast Guards; de-
tachments I'd Company. New Hampshire
Heavy Artillery, and 150th Ohio National
Guard and Battery G, 3D. United States Ar
tilery. The armament consisted Of thirteen
guns OF various kinds and caliber, among
them being two 3O-pound PARROTS and a
10-inch siege moDtar. On it's right stood
Fort Saratoga while Forts Hemner and
Totten were on the left to the westward. A
supporting field battery stood a few yards
to the northward.
Fort Slemner.
Fort Slemner was named in honor Of
Lieut. Adam J. slemner. a native Of Penn
sylvania. and the brave preserver OF Fort
Pickens, who distinguished himself during
the war, attaining 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 are
entirely obscured today by a thick growth
of young trees. The Goth New York moved
into the works In February. 1852, and did
considerable toward completing them They
were subsequently occupied, among others
by detachments OF New Hampshire heavy
artillery and 150th Ohio National Guard
Its armament consisted Of one 8-inch sea-
guns
Fort Tottsn.
Fort Tottsn occupied a strong and COM
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09
ALONG THE POTOMAC.
Forts Which Prevented Attack From
Virginia.
Fort Marcy.

The defenses west Of the Potomac were as
follows.
Fort Marcy.
The ridge upon which Fort Marcy stood
was chrstened Prospect Hill by General
Keyer's men in 1861, as they came here
from their camp at Tenleytown. 1t is sit
uated on the south side of the Leesburg
road, about a mile west of the Chain
bridge, and Is distant from Georgetown by
way Of the Canal road about four and a
quarter miles.
The fort was originally called Badly
Smith, in honor of Gen. w. F. Smith, the
troops Of whose division were the first to
engage in throwing up the works. The
10th New York Highlanders, the 141st
Pennsylvania and the Iron Brigade" also
did considerable work on the intrench-
ments during the winter of 1861 and 1862.
The works were completed in the fall OF
1862, force Of more than 500 contrabands
having been employed upon them for
considerable period of time The 152d New
York worked on the internchemnts in the
fall Of 1862. The fort was renamed Fort
Marcy by General Mcclellan in general
order No. 1S of 1861 in honor of Gen. Ran
dolph Barnes Marcy, native of Massa-
chusetts. distinguished soldier and
father-in-law to General Mcclellan. of
whose staff he was chief. The armament
of the fort consisted Of some twenty heavy
guns, among them De1ng SIX thirty -pOunuer
and three twenty-pounder PARROTS. De-
tachments of the 4th New York Heavy Ar
tillery, the Sd Pennsylvania Heavy Artil-
lery, and the both Pennsylvania Infantry
were among the troops that performed gar
rison duty here during the war. The fact
may be stated here. an interesting in
cident of history, that the body Of troops
which afterward became famous the Iron
Brigade" was organized at this fort in the
summer Of 1851, and was composed Of the
10th Indiana and I'd. 9th and 7th Wisconsin
regiments. The 24th Michigan was added
to the brigade soon after the battle of
South Mountain. These regiments re-
NAMED brigaded together until the close Of
the war. The brigade's first march was
from Fort Marcy to Fort Cass. 1t may
also be interesting to know that the site
of Fort Marcy is the identical spot where
the famous but bloodless duel between
Henry Clay and John Randolph was fought
in 1928.
Fort Ethan Allen.
Fort Ethan Allen. which occupied very
commanding position on the Virginia side
of the Chain bridge. was named by General
Mcclellan in honor Of the brilliant COM
mander Of the Green mountain boys in the
revolution. 1t was originally called Fort
Baker in honor of Col. E. D. Baker Of the
1st California. the members of whose regf-
ment helped in the construction of the
work. The old earthworks, a part of which
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

the city. The District Reform School build
fngs now occupy the site of the old works.
not vestige Of which is visible today, with
the exception of one Of the angles that still
exists in a battered state outside the east
ern fence. The spot is known as Mount
Pleasant. and before the war was Gale
camp Union before the erection of the fort
1t was here the gallant Barny's guns were
posted In 1914, that were so annoying to
the British redcoats as they advanced along
the plain from Bladensburg. The fort was
built during the summer of 1861 by the list
Massachusetts. the ground being broken on
August 20. 1t was a powerful work, the
armament consisting Of twenty-four heavy
guns Of various kinds and calibers. The
fort was named in honor of President Lin
coin. Old Joe Hooker's brigade, which was
composed Of the LIST and nth Massachu-
sets. ID New Hampshire and 2sth Pennsyl-
vania. were the first troops to occupy this
section. Battery D, list Rhode Island Ar
tillery; Company A, Maine Coast Guards
and attachments of New Hampshire heavy
artillery and the 15Oth Ohio National
Earlys investment Maj Darling. 7th
Michigan Cavalry. with about 500 men,
commanded the cavalry outposts and his
command had a brush with the enemy's
noon of July II. Capt. T. S. Paddock had
command Of the fort at the time.
Battery Jameson.
bluff overlooking Anacostia, about forty
rods east of Fort Lincoln. The old work is
in fair state of preservation. A wire
fence running through it separates the
Boyle and Arlington properties. The rifle
pits, which extended west to Fort Lincoln
and east and south to Anacostia, are still
standing.
The old works just outside Of the Dis
trict line, and are reached from the Balti
more pike by way of a byroad which Is
taken near the eastern side of the Reform
School. A large tract of land in this vicin-
ity, including what is left of Fort Lincoln
and Battery Jameson, has been bought by
a syndicate and laid out into a villa site
called Fort lincoln Heights.
Fort Thayer.
Fort Thaycr. lunette with faces of 100
feet, and stockaded gorges, stood about
forty rods south of Brentwood road, about
a quarter of mile east of where that
road crosses Queens Chapel road, and di-
and green house. A by-road, whose mouth
is marked by a marble stone leads to the
spot. The old works are in fair state
of preservation, but are overgrown with
weeds and underbrush 1t was named for
Colonel Sylvanus Thayer, a native of Mas
sachusetts, an engineer officer Of distinc-
ton and father of West Point Military
Academy 1t was armed with two eight
inch siege Howitzers, one twenty-four
FOUNDER siege gun, four tWenty-four-pou
er seacoast guns and one twenty-four
FOUNDER Calhoun mortar During the time
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

escaped the ravages of time, are about
half mile south Of the bridge.
On the high hill Immediately west will be
noticed the earthworks Of old Fort Marcy.
When General Keyes' division was trans
ferred to Fort Ethan Allen and Marcy. in
October. 1861. the men called the place
Prospect Hill, because OF the fine view 1t
presented OF their old camp over Tenley-
ly speaking. formed no part of the licenses
OF Washington, but were Of the utmost
importance as tete de pont to the Chain
bridge. They were connected with lines of
rifle pits, which also extended to the banks
Of the river. which. with auxiliary bat
teries, commanded q portion Of the Lees
burg nike, as we'll a. the numerous rav.nes
and approaches to the works. A strong
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

a new villa Site to be called Ivanwold, and
the probabilities are that very short time
will witness their demolition. The plateau
or table land upon which the fort stood
was known before the war by the desig-
nation of, "Carberry Meadow and Red
House." The fort is best reached from
Georgetown by way of the Aqueduct bridge,
Falls Church road and Ivanwold by road.
the latter. which leads through the old
works, being entered at Fort Strong, about
mile south of Rosslyn. The fort was
originally called Fort De Kaib." but 1t
was rechristened on May 30, 1868. In its
immediate vicinity are Forts Bennett and
Strong.
Fort Strong.
Fort Strong ~ on the north side Of FsIIs
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09
OVER 100 FoRTIFICATIoNs.
The Separate Links in the System of
Defense.

The following series of descriptions is de-
signed to guide those interested in these old
Notifications. division is made of the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

principal forts and batteries into the Sec
lions previously indicated-those between
the Anacostia at Fort Lincoln and the Po-
tomac at Fort Summer; those along the
main stream Of the Potomac; those on the
ridge south of the Anacostia river
NORTH OF THE CITY.
Many Strong Defenses Between Fort
Lincoln and Fort Sumner.
The defenses north OF the city were as
follows:
Fort Lincoln.
Fort Lincoln was situated on the old Bal
umors pike. two and half miles east Of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09
Fort Simmons.

Fort simmons.
Fort Simmons stood between Forts Bay-
ard and Mansfield, ON the farm of Charles
Shoemaker. about mile and a half west
of Tenleytown. In its rear was Fort Gaines
with Forts Reno and Sumner on the right
and left TANKS, respectively. There is very
little now to indicate the site of the old
works. 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 at Glendale
Va, June 30, 1852, while CALAMITY leading
a charge of his brigade. Its armament
consisted of one S-inch siege and two 12-
FOUNDER Howitzers and five 30-pounder
PARROTS. The works were occupied at diff
ferent times by detachments of the Penn
sylvania Reserves, Company A, Maine Coast
Guards, and detachments of the 151st, 163d
and 10th Ohio National Guard.
Fort Mansfield.
Fort Mansfield consisted Of two redoubts
and an extraordinary battery, connected by
a rifle trench. 1t stood south of River road
about a mile and half south Of Tenley-
town. and was named after General Joseph
K. F. Mansfield. who died at Sharpsburg,
Md, September IS, 1862 of wounds re-
ceived at Antietam. This gallant officer
did much toward originating and complet-
ing the defenses Of Washington. To his
foresight belongs the credit Of suggesting
The fort was built on the farm Of Thomas
Dean and stood a quarter Of mile to the
westward of Fort Simmons. Its arma-
ment consisted Of one S-inch seacoast and
one 12-pounder hoWitzers. four 4H-inch
rified and four 6-pounder guns. Company 3.
Maine Coast Guard, and detachments OF the
151st and 10th Ohio National Guard earri-
soned this fort In ths summer Of 1864. The 1
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

Fort Strong ~ on the north side Of Falls
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

Fort rott.n occupied strong and COM
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

The defenses west Of the Potomac were as
follows;
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-04-26

onis with vengeance. It cuts to
the quick. Southern Democrats can
stand investigation as to their election
methods much better than Mark Han
ma and his national committee or Mr..
Babcock and his congressional COM
mittee.
Nobody with two ideas above a Hot
tentot doubts that the unprecedented
use Of Doodle put the Republicans in
power in 1897, and has kept them in
power ever since. The amount Of fat
fried out Of the national bankers, tar
If barons, trust magnates and great
corporations in 1896 has been various
ly estimted at from ten to fifteen mil
lions. An investigation which would
twist the exact truth and the whole
truth out Of Hanna and his confeder-
ates would be a public benefaction.
We may never know the precise guam
tity Of Doodle used that year, but
whatever it was the campaign Of
1896 furnishes the only example on
record where national committee had
surplus left over after election,
surplus said to have been three mil
lions. The nerve exhibited by Pue in
thus boarding the lion in his den shows
beyond all cavil that he Is a young
man with future. Keep your optic on
Pue, Of North Carolina.-Champ
Clark's Letter.