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historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM4ZU_the-northwest-demi-bastion_Fort-Washington-MD.html
The demi-bastion is a section of the fort that projects beyond the main wall and provides concentrated defensive fire.
The bastion design includes two levels of artillery. Guns were to be mounted on the parapet above and in the casemates you s…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM4ZM_main-gateway_Fort-Washington-MD.html
Two sets of gates protected the main entrance, or sally port. During the improvements made in the 1840s the drawbridge was added to make the approach to the gates more difficult.
The drawbridge, operated by a unique system of iron counterweight…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM4ZK_capital-guardian_Fort-Washington-MD.html
Troubles with Britain caused Congress in 1807 to authorize an improved system of forts along the Atlantic Coast to guard harbors, rivers, and seaports.
The first fort, Fort Warburton, was completed in 1809. Located near the river in front of th…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM4Z2_capital-guardian_Fort-Washington-MD.html
Building the Second FortOn September 8, 1814, only 12 days after the destruction of Fort Warburton, Pierre L'Enfant was commissioned by the Government to reestablish a fortification here. Work began that October but increasing friction between L'E…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM4YW_battery-decatur-and-disappearing-guns_Fort-Washington-MD.html
American coastal defenses were modernized from the 1890s to 1910 with the development of the Endicott System. Emphasis in military tactics shifted the masonry fortifications to more effective weapons based on rifled steel guns, improved breech-loa…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM4QF_site-of-silesia-school_Fort-Washington-MD.html
In 1902 children from nearby farms traveled by horse and buggy to the Silesia School, a one room school house. The school's contribution of education for this area continued until 1925. In 1959 the school and part of this land was sold to the Cong…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM4QD_15-inch-rodman-smoothbore_Fort-Washington-MD.html
Among the largest cannon used in the Civil WarMonumental in size, these two immense guns remain as sentinels ready to repel an attack on the Nation's capital. With their extended range and commanding location above the river, they were the key def…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM4QC_the-defenses-of-washington_Fort-Washington-MD.html
At the start of the Civil War, Washington was protected by only one fort, Fort Washington guarding the Potomac River approach. The capital city was uncomfortably close to Confederate forces operating in Northern Virginia.
by 1864, a system of e…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM4Q9_northwest-bastion_Fort-Washington-MD.html
Protecting the fort against land attackArmed with smaller field and siege guns, the landward bastions could deliver a sustained cannonade of 12- and 30-pounder shells. The long central traverse provided protection and contained magazines and bombp…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM4Q2_kings-depression-carriage_Fort-Washington-MD.html
Capt. Rufus King, Jr. devised a counterweight system and front-pintle mount that would allow the 49,000 pdr. Rodman Gun to depress during loading. Except for the brief periods of exposure to enemy fire during the aiming and firing of the gun, the …