Fort Mahan

Fort Mahan (1861-1865) - A Union U.S. Civil War fort constructed in 1861 in Washington DC. Named for Dennis H. Mahan (Cullum 361), Professor of Engineering at the United States Military Academy (1832-1871). Abandoned in 1865 at the end of the war.

Fort Mahan Park Sign	Fort Mahan Earthworks Lined with Trees
Fort Mahan Overgrown Earthworks

Fort Mahan History

One of the ring of Union fortifications surrounding Washington DC during the U.S. Civil War, see Washington DC Fort Ring.

Fort Mahan Interpretive Sign

Established in 1861 to guard the approaches to Benning's Bridge across the Anacostia River. The fort was irregular in shape with nine sides and a perimeter of 354 yards mounting 22 guns. Structures included a guard house, two barracks, officer's quarters and a mess house. Outworks included Battery Mahan

A 17 May 1864 report from the Union Inspector of Artillery noted the following: "Fort Mahan.–Garrison, one company Unattached Heavy Massachusetts Artillery–1 ordnance- sergeant. Armament, three 12-pounder field guns, four 15-inch Rodman, four 24-pounder F. D. howitzers, two 8-inch siege howitzers, one Coehorn mortar, one 10-inch siege mortar, three 30-pounder Parrotts. Magazines, two; dry and in good order. Ammunition, full supply and serviceable. Implements, complete and serviceable."

Abandoned in 1865 at the end of the war.

Current Status

Fort Mahan Park, Washington DC. Some remains, no markers.

---

USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 1680854

---

{"selectable":false,"width":"500"}

Location: Fort Mahan Park, Washington DC. Maps & Images Lat: 38.8944444 Long: -76.9441667 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 154'

See Also:

• Washington DC Fort Ring
• Washington DC Defense System - U.S. Civil War

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 137.
• NPS Civil War Defenses of Washington - Appendix E: General Reports About the Defenses

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Mahan
• NPS - Fort Mahan

Visited: No