Fort Schuyler

Explore or Leave this Island Coastal Fortification
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==Word in the Fort==
Fort Schuyler is a fortification in the New York City borough of The Bronx. It is one of many forts built along the east coast of the United States in the aftermath of the War of 1812 (with the British Empire) when it became brutally apparent that the US coast was poorly defended against foreign invasion. Fort Schuyler was dedicated in 1856 after only 75% completion, and was strategically positioned to protect New York City from naval attack through Long Island Sound; guarding the eastern entrance to New York Harbor. It is located on Throgs Neck in the southeastern tip of the Bronx at a point where the East River meets Long Island Sound. Fort Totten faces it on the other side of the river. Their interlocking batteries creates a bottle-neck of defenses against ships attempting to approach New York City. Fort Schuyler, at its peak, boasted 440 guns. Later, it would be fitted with various other pieces throughout the ever-modernization of coastal defense artillery, once including 10" and 12" guns on disappearing carriages installed on the roof and on the peninsula around the fort. 
During the Civil War, Fort Schuyler holds as many as 500 prisoners of war from the Confederate States Army and military convicts from the Union Army. It also includes the MacDougall Hospital which has a capacity of 2,000 beds. The fort is poorly constructed and its well water became brackish (contaminated with salt water). Fort Schuyler is also a location where units heading to war rendezvous and are outfitted and trained before being deployed. Such units include the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry "Duryee's Zouaves," and the 69th and 88th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiments (the 1st and 2nd Regiments of Meagher's "Irish Brigade (US).") Today, the Fort is garrisoned by the 20th Independent Battery, New York Volunteer Artillery, a unit originally recruited to fight in the war as part of the Anthon Battalion of Volunteer Light Artillery. Duty at the fort is reported to be a dull assignment as the men take the roles of guards and hospital stewards, not artillerymen.