Fort Totten (2): Difference between revisions
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|colspan="2"|[[File:Fort Totten - 19.jpg|795px|thumb|center|Fort Totten Site]] | |colspan="2"|[[File:Fort Totten - 19.jpg|795px|thumb|center|Fort Totten Site]] | ||
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== Fort Totten | == Fort Totten History == | ||
[[File:Fort Totten LOC 32731v.jpg|795px|thumb|left|Fort Totten Interior]] | [[File:Fort Totten LOC 32731v.jpg|795px|thumb|left|Fort Totten Interior]] | ||
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The fort itself was a 270 yard, seven sided polygon surrounded by a dry moat that was twelve feet wide and seven feet deep. The walls of the fort were constructed of earth fifteen feet thick and eight feet high. The fort's armament included some 20 cannon and mortars and a long range 100-pounder Parrot Rifle. The fort saw action in support of [[Fort Stevens (2)]] when that fort was attacked by Confederate General [[Jubal Anderson Early]] on 11 and 12 July, 1864. | The fort itself was a 270 yard, seven sided polygon surrounded by a dry moat that was twelve feet wide and seven feet deep. The walls of the fort were constructed of earth fifteen feet thick and eight feet high. The fort's armament included some 20 cannon and mortars and a long range 100-pounder Parrot Rifle. The fort saw action in support of [[Fort Stevens (2)]] when that fort was attacked by Confederate General [[Jubal Anderson Early]] on 11 and 12 July, 1864. | ||
A 17 May 1864 report from the Union Inspector of Artillery noted the following: "Fort Totten, Maj. [[Charles Hunsdon]] commanding.–Garrison, two companies First Vermont Artillery–1 major, 7 commissioned officers, 1 ordnance-sergeant, 206 men. Armament-four 6- pounder field guns, eight 32-pounder Parrotts, two 8-inch siege howitzers, one Coehorn mortar, one 10-inch mortar, three 30-pounder Parrotts, one 100- pounder Parrott. Magazines, two; one in serviceable condition and one being repaired. Ammunition full supply and serviceable. <ar68_894> Implements, complete and serviceable. Drill in artillery, fair. Drill in infantry, fair. Discipline, fair. Garrison not of sufficient strength." | |||
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File:Fort Totten LOC 4a39975r.jpg|Fort Totten Entrance | File:Fort Totten LOC 4a39975r.jpg|Fort Totten Entrance | ||
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[[Category:Washington DC All]] | [[Category:Washington DC All]] | ||
[[Category:Washington DC Defense System - U.S. Civil War]] | [[Category:Washington DC Defense System - U.S. Civil War]] | ||
[[Category:U.S. Civil War Forts]] | [[Category:U.S. Civil War Forts]] | ||
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | [[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | ||
[[Category:2013 Research Trip]] | [[Category:2013 Research Trip]] | ||
Revision as of 20:56, 6 December 2014
Fort Totten (2) (1861-1865) Fort Totten was one of the approximately 68 forts that surrounded the city of Washington DC and protected it during the U.S. Civil War period from Confederate invasion. Construction began in August 1861 and was completed in 1863. The fort was named after Brigadier General Joseph G. Totten, Chief of Engineers.
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Fort Totten History
One of the ring of Union fortifications surrounding Washington DC during the U.S. Civil War, see Washington DC Fort Ring.
The fort itself was a 270 yard, seven sided polygon surrounded by a dry moat that was twelve feet wide and seven feet deep. The walls of the fort were constructed of earth fifteen feet thick and eight feet high. The fort's armament included some 20 cannon and mortars and a long range 100-pounder Parrot Rifle. The fort saw action in support of Fort Stevens (2) when that fort was attacked by Confederate General Jubal Anderson Early on 11 and 12 July, 1864.
A 17 May 1864 report from the Union Inspector of Artillery noted the following: "Fort Totten, Maj. Charles Hunsdon commanding.–Garrison, two companies First Vermont Artillery–1 major, 7 commissioned officers, 1 ordnance-sergeant, 206 men. Armament-four 6- pounder field guns, eight 32-pounder Parrotts, two 8-inch siege howitzers, one Coehorn mortar, one 10-inch mortar, three 30-pounder Parrotts, one 100- pounder Parrott. Magazines, two; one in serviceable condition and one being repaired. Ammunition full supply and serviceable. <ar68_894> Implements, complete and serviceable. Drill in artillery, fair. Drill in infantry, fair. Discipline, fair. Garrison not of sufficient strength."
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Fort Totten Entrance -
Fort Totten 100-pounder Parrott Gun -
Fort Totten James Rifles -
Fort Totten Interior
Current Status
The site is maintained by the National Park Service and is in a very poor state of preservation. Remnants of the earthworks and fortification features can be distinguished but are covered with trees and underbrush. The single onsite interpretive sign is in bad shape. The two roadside signs are in better shape.
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Trees Growing out of Earthworks -
Fort Totten Roadside Sign -
Fort Totten Roadside Sign -
Fort Totten On Site Marker -
Fort Totten On Site Marker
USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 531854
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Location: Maps & Images Lat: 38.947895 Long: -77.005191 |
See Also:
Sources:
- Cooling, Benjamin F. III and Owen, Valton H. II, Mr. Lincoln's Forts: A Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington, Scarecrow Press, 2009, ISBN 0810863073, ISBN 9780810863071, 334 pages.
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 140-141
Links:
- North American Forts - Fort Totten
- NPS - Civil War Defenses of Washington
- Wikipedia - Fort Totten
- Dekester
Visited: 22 May 2013