Fort Macomb (1)

Fort Macomb (1) (1822-1871) - First established in 1822 as the Third System Fort, Fort at Chef Menteur, completed in 1827. Renamed Fort Wood in 1827 for Ltc. Eleazer Derby Wood. Renamed Fort Macomb in 1851 after MG Alexander Macomb, veteran of the War of 1812. Abandoned in 1871.

Fort Macomb (1) History

Originally designed as a Third System Fort and as a companion to Fort Pike. Like Fort Pike, the fort was designed as a triangular masonry fort with an arc of gun casemates facing a water passage. A single story citadel in the center of the fort served as a barracks and as a refuge of last resort should the walls be breached. The other buildings inside the walls included officer's quarters and service buildings. The land side of the fort was protected by a system of moats protecting three pointed bastions that provided protective flanking fire.

U.S. Civil War

Occupied by Confederate forces 14 Jan 1861 before the start of the U.S. Civil War. Recaptured by Union forces 18 Aug 1862 and garrisoned by them until closed in 1871.

Current Status

Fort Macomb State Historical Site, Louisiana. Damaged by Hurricane Katrina and closed to the public.

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Location: Fort Macomb, Louisiana. Maps & Images Lat: 30.0647222 Long: -89.8038889 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 3'

Sources:

• 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 343
• Wikipedia - Fort Macomb

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Macomb

Visited: 9 Dec 2009

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