Evening star., 1933-06-25
old Frederick; a Famous Pte-Recozniona,y Fort

men against an emergency that was likely to
arise at any time and prevent their leaving the
fort In search of provisions.
Fort Frederick occupied doubly important
position in its earliest days since 1t was on
the trail to Pittsburgh and the Ohio country
and II defenses could not be maintained there
and at Fort Cumberland that road could not be
kept open. But Gov. Sharpe experienced con-
siderable difnculty in securing enough men for
his garrison. rs those who lived east OF the
frontier were busy with their farming, and
those near the edge Of civilization were afraid
to leave their homes unguarded while they did
duty at the fort.
When, In 175S, it was decided to send out
an expedition to take Fort Duquesne from the
French. Fort Frederick became the base of
operations. Gov. Sharpe and Cols. Washing
ton and Dagworthy met there and gathered
was successful and after the French were driven
from the Monongahela the Indians also re-
tired from the warpath temporarily. So peace
ful did the section become that In 1852 the
land around the fort was leased to . farmer,
the State reservng only the right to use the
buildings whenever it might be necessary.
It became necessary the very next year,
when the powerful Ottawa chief, Pontiac, led
q large band Of Indians in a surprise massacre
in the vicinity Of Fort Frederick. Over
hundred persons fell victims to their
tomahawks and thousands were driven from
their homes. 1t was at that time that the new
fort sheltered about TOO people, in addition
to the garrison. Pontiac spread terror and
destruction over a wide area, but his savages
were beaten nevertheless and with their with
drawal the Indian wars in the vicinity came
to an end. The road to Ohio was opened
permanently and settlements moved West, leav-
ing Fort Frederick far from the frontier.
During the Revolution the fort was some
distance from the centers Of action, but the
colonists found it useful as stronghold, to
which they could send their prisoners. Many
HeSsian soldiers were confined there from time
to time and for q few years it was the practice
Of those In command to let out their prisoners
to neighboring farmers, who could use their
help tn the fields.
The English wanted to control the fort and
q plot was perfected for an uprising against
the Continental forces. In which the prisoners
were expected to join. The plan went awry
when a messenger was sent to meet . disguised
British ofIicer on q certain street corner In
Frederick and deliver to him some papers, CIV
ing details Of the plot. By chance q loyal
American was standing at the spot where the
British oficer was scheduled to be and tire
papers were given into his hands
For 80 years after the close Of the Revolution
the fort served no military purpose. With the
outbreak Of the Civil War. however, when the
territory Immediately south Of the Potomac,
between Rock Greek and Hancock, Nd, was In
dispute. it again assumed position OF i'm
portance Union troops, under command OF
Gen. John r Kenly, occupied it. They cut a
round breach in the south wall and mounted
q cannon there 80 that it commanded the
Potomac River, with o railroad on the north
bank and wagon road to the south The
fort remained in the hands of the Union forces
to the end Of the war, In spite OF spirited as
saults on 1t by the Confederates.
Today Fort Frederick belongs to the State Of
Maryland and, with the land around It, is
part Of q forest reserve It stands in the
midst Of . quiet farming community. and the
broad still Potomac adds to the tranquility Of
its setting. On a grassy slope north Of the
river q number Of the soldiers who died there
lie buried and across the stream are the hills
Of West Virginia.
Like many old landmarks, it is stepped in
tradition. One Of its prettiest stories Is that
Of The Angel of Fort Frederick" who. in the
person Of Miss Cecilia Markham, came to
America from London to marry her lover, q
young surveyor named Bledsoe When she
landed 1t Baltimore, 50 the story goes, friends