The Washington herald., 1907-08-26
Old Fort Frederick.

Editor The Washington Herald.
It is surprising that one Of the most
remarkable relics of a noted period in
the progress Of American civilization in
its frontier settlements should be SO
little known and remain in comparative
obseurity. Fort Frederick, in Washing
ton County, Nd, surely cannot be rele-
gated to the shades of oblivion by the
sheer neglect Of a great. appreciative
people enjoying the advantages and reap
ing the wealth of the present century.
Connected with the exciting times of the
French and Indian wars. it demands
particular attention
We are all familiar with the accounts
relating to the disastrous campaign of
Gen. Braddocll. the result OF which is so
well known, and need not here be detailed;
It is sufficient TO state that the defeat
Of Braddock's force was complete. the
general himself being one of the number
mortally wounded Through the skill Of
Col Washington. a mastery retreat was
conducted, which saved a portion of the
army. This total rout Of the army had
the effect of making the savages bolder
IN their murderous schemes, and mas
Eacre after massacre followed
AS soon as possible. Washington
had a fort constructed at Winches-
ter, in the work of which the
slave blacksmiths of his own estate
at Mount Vernon were employed.
About the same time Fort Frederick was
constructed; the Maryland assembly had
voted 200 pounds FOR the purpose, and
the work was done with expedition. The
position selected was a prominent one
near the Potomac River, twelve miles
from Martinsburg. and about the same
distance from WilliamspOrt-
In company with. Mr.. Daniel Flory, a
merchant at Indian Springs, recently paid
a visit 10 this extraordinary landmark,
which is worthy of preservation by the
State as one Of its chief objects of his
tOric interest. Old Fort Cumberland and
Ihe Winchester fort are demolished, but
the cemented stone walls of Fort Fred
erlck are entire, except in d few places;
the side OF a barn rests on d part of
The south wall. The walls are Of sand
stone II feet IN height, 120 feet IN length,
! feet thick at the base and . feet at
the top. The fort is quadrangular, occu-
pying an acre and half, upon an estate
fof 80 acres originally purchased by Gov.
HoratiO Sharpe. It was one OF the most
massive and important posts of refuge
IN the chain of frontier defenses. At
each angle there is a bastion on which
cannon were mounted; the portal, twelve
feet wide, was protected by a strong iron
gate, the hinges connecting with tim
Ders set firmly In the masonry. Nothing
remains OF the iron gate; one Of the
hinges, weighing forty-two pounds. was
Kept as a souvenir for a long time. but
This IS lost.
We We're shown in the interior the posi-
tons Of the houses occupied by the ref
ugees, some Of the old bricks being scat
tered about We also saw the well, near
the northwest walls. with neatly laid cir
Gle Of stone, partly filled up with de-
bris, and covered at the top by pieces of
wood. In the center Of the inclosure is \
an iron tablet having raised letters. which
furnishes a brief account Of the fort; the
following passages are noted:
1T contained stone barracks and was
first garris0ned by ~ men. under Capt
John Dagworthy in August 1885," and
again we read. Seven hundred people
have been sheltered at the same time
within the fort. Hessian prisoners were
kept here in the Revolution. In 1870
Maryland sold the land Col KenIey's
First Maryland Regiment, L. 5. A, used
il in 1861"
Should not this national memorial be
rescued from disintegration and obl-
Won by prompt and generous measures? /
It IS eminently proper that this venerable
structure, the work of our noble Ameri- /
can ancestry, the means of preserving
so many lives in perilous times. should
soon be owned by the State. In 1882 such
a measure was proposed; a joint resolu- |
ton was adopted in the State legislature. /
but nothing practically was accomplished. /
and in 1909, a commission was appointed /
10 make report Thus the whole mat /
ter rested; tardy legislation repeats it /
self in simple resolutions and reports Of /
committees. meaning well, but without
definite results. Congress, our highest
legislative body, we would appeal to in I
such case; our wise. public-spirited. /
patriotic leaders in national affairs /
should come 10 the rescue in effecting a /
speedy measure through which this eele- /
brated property would be under govern !
ment control. and beautifed as a nation /
~ park Let the grand old fort be re- |
aired. and permanently stand upon its 4
e~7spicuoGs height. the object OF lncreas- /