Fort Washington (1): Difference between revisions
John Stanton (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
John Stanton (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Washington}} | |||
[[Category:All]] | [[Category:All]] | ||
[[Category:Maryland Forts]] | [[Category:Maryland Forts]] | ||
| Line 5: | Line 6: | ||
[[Category:Preserved]] | [[Category:Preserved]] | ||
[[Category:National Park]] | [[Category:National Park]] | ||
[[Category:Must See]] | |||
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | [[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | ||
{{SocialNetworks}} | {{SocialNetworks}} | ||
| Line 12: | Line 14: | ||
[[Image:Image2.jpg|thumb|435px|right|<<Image 2 Caption>>]] | [[Image:Image2.jpg|thumb|435px|right|<<Image 2 Caption>>]] | ||
--> | --> | ||
{{Clr}} | |||
'''{{PAGENAME}} (1809-1946)''' | '''{{PAGENAME}} (1809-1946)''' | ||
=={{PAGENAME}} History== | =={{PAGENAME}} History== | ||
The first Fort Washington was completed in 1809 and guarded the Nation’s Capital until it was destroyed by its own garrison in 1814. Twelve days later Major Pierre L’Enfant was sent to construct new defenses but worked on the fort for only a brief period before Lieutenant Colonel Walker K. Armistead replaced him. The fort was completed on October 2, 1824. Extensive remodeling was performed in the 1840s and the first guns were mounted in 1846. The masonry fort was occupied by soldiers from the | The first Fort Washington was completed in 1809 and guarded the Nation’s Capital until it was destroyed by its own garrison in 1814. Twelve days later Major [[Pierre L’Enfant]] was sent to construct new defenses but worked on the fort for only a brief period before Lieutenant Colonel [[Walker K. Armistead]] replaced him. The fort was completed on October 2, 1824. Extensive remodeling was performed in the 1840s and the first guns were mounted in 1846. The masonry fort was occupied by soldiers from the [[1st U.S. Artillery]], [[3rd U.S. Artillery]] and [[4th U.S. Artillery]] during its early history. | ||
==[[U.S. Civil War]]== | ==[[U.S. Civil War]]== | ||
Except for a few guns at the Washington Arsenal, Fort Washington was the only defense for the Nation’s Capital until the Civil War when a circle of temporary forts was built around the city. Battery Rogers and [[Fort Foote]] were the only seacoast forts in the system and armed with large Rodman and Parrott cannons. Fort Washington was garrisoned as the outer defense for the city. Companies of the 1st and 4th Artillery as well as numerous state artillery units passed through the post during the war. In 1872 the garrison was removed and additional property purchased to construct a new defense system. Funds for the project was withdrawn and the post was abandoned for the next twenty years. | Except for a few guns at the Washington Arsenal, Fort Washington was the only defense for the Nation’s Capital until the Civil War when a circle of temporary forts was built around the city. Battery Rogers and [[Fort Foote]] were the only seacoast forts in the system and armed with large Rodman and Parrott cannons. Fort Washington was garrisoned as the outer defense for the city. Companies of the [[1st U.S. Artillery]] and [[4th U.S. Artillery]] as well as numerous state artillery units passed through the post during the war. In 1872 the garrison was removed and additional property purchased to construct a new defense system. Funds for the project was withdrawn and the post was abandoned for the next twenty years. | ||
==Potomac Defense Command== | ==Potomac Defense Command== | ||
A new defense system, consisting of rifled steel guns in concrete emplacements was authorized in 1886 and work began at Fort Washington in 1891. The next year ground was broken for Battery B, later named Battery Decatur and the guns were mounted in 1896. Eventually eight concrete batteries at Fort Washington and four at [[Fort Hunt]] made up the Potomac Defense Command. | A new defense system, consisting of rifled steel guns in concrete emplacements was authorized in 1886 and work began at Fort Washington in 1891. The next year ground was broken for Battery B, later named Battery Decatur and the guns were mounted in 1896. Eventually eight concrete batteries at Fort Washington and four at [[Fort Hunt]] made up the Potomac Defense Command. | ||
| Line 23: | Line 25: | ||
Prior to World War I Fort Washington was downgraded to harbor defense and the large guns removed. During the war the post was used as a staging area for troops being sent to France. The 8th Provisional Artillery Battalion was organized at the post and sent to France where they became the 53rd Railroad Artillery Regiment. After the war the 3rd Battalion 12th Infantry moved in and became the ceremonial unit for the Military District of Washington. | Prior to World War I Fort Washington was downgraded to harbor defense and the large guns removed. During the war the post was used as a staging area for troops being sent to France. The 8th Provisional Artillery Battalion was organized at the post and sent to France where they became the 53rd Railroad Artillery Regiment. After the war the 3rd Battalion 12th Infantry moved in and became the ceremonial unit for the Military District of Washington. | ||
==[[World War II]]== | ==[[World War II]]== | ||
In 1939 the post was abandoned and turned over to the Director of Public Buildings for use as a terminal point for a bridge across the Potomac and a parkway to be built along the shore. Before the transfer was complete the United States entered World War II. Fort Washington was returned to the army and became the home of the Adjutant General’s School. After the war the Veterans Administration managed the post hospital and other government agencies occupied some of the buildings. In 1946 Fort Washington returned to the Department of the Interior. | In 1939 the post was abandoned and turned over to the Director of Public Buildings for use as a terminal point for a bridge across the Potomac and a parkway to be built along the shore. Before the transfer was complete the United States entered [[World War II]]. Fort Washington was returned to the army and became the home of the Adjutant General’s School. After the war the Veterans Administration managed the post hospital and other government agencies occupied some of the buildings. In 1946 Fort Washington returned to the Department of the Interior. | ||
==Current Status== | ==Current Status== | ||
{| | {| | ||
| Line 41: | Line 43: | ||
'''Links: ''' | '''Links: ''' | ||
{{Visited|No}} | |||
==Picture Gallery== | ==Picture Gallery== | ||
{{PictureHead}} | {{PictureHead}} | ||
Revision as of 15:55, 7 December 2007
Fort Washington (1) (1809-1946)
Fort Washington (1) History
The first Fort Washington was completed in 1809 and guarded the Nation’s Capital until it was destroyed by its own garrison in 1814. Twelve days later Major Pierre L’Enfant was sent to construct new defenses but worked on the fort for only a brief period before Lieutenant Colonel Walker K. Armistead replaced him. The fort was completed on October 2, 1824. Extensive remodeling was performed in the 1840s and the first guns were mounted in 1846. The masonry fort was occupied by soldiers from the 1st U.S. Artillery, 3rd U.S. Artillery and 4th U.S. Artillery during its early history.
U.S. Civil War
Except for a few guns at the Washington Arsenal, Fort Washington was the only defense for the Nation’s Capital until the Civil War when a circle of temporary forts was built around the city. Battery Rogers and Fort Foote were the only seacoast forts in the system and armed with large Rodman and Parrott cannons. Fort Washington was garrisoned as the outer defense for the city. Companies of the 1st U.S. Artillery and 4th U.S. Artillery as well as numerous state artillery units passed through the post during the war. In 1872 the garrison was removed and additional property purchased to construct a new defense system. Funds for the project was withdrawn and the post was abandoned for the next twenty years.
Potomac Defense Command
A new defense system, consisting of rifled steel guns in concrete emplacements was authorized in 1886 and work began at Fort Washington in 1891. The next year ground was broken for Battery B, later named Battery Decatur and the guns were mounted in 1896. Eventually eight concrete batteries at Fort Washington and four at Fort Hunt made up the Potomac Defense Command.
World War I
Prior to World War I Fort Washington was downgraded to harbor defense and the large guns removed. During the war the post was used as a staging area for troops being sent to France. The 8th Provisional Artillery Battalion was organized at the post and sent to France where they became the 53rd Railroad Artillery Regiment. After the war the 3rd Battalion 12th Infantry moved in and became the ceremonial unit for the Military District of Washington.
World War II
In 1939 the post was abandoned and turned over to the Director of Public Buildings for use as a terminal point for a bridge across the Potomac and a parkway to be built along the shore. Before the transfer was complete the United States entered World War II. Fort Washington was returned to the army and became the home of the Adjutant General’s School. After the war the Veterans Administration managed the post hospital and other government agencies occupied some of the buildings. In 1946 Fort Washington returned to the Department of the Interior.
Current Status
|
{"selectable":false,"width":"500"} |
Location: Maps & Images Lat: 38.711115 Long: -77.034845 |
Sources:
- National Park Service History - Fort Washington
- National Park Service History - Fort Washington Park
Links:
Visited: No
Picture Gallery
|
Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |