Civil War Defenses of Washington

https://www.nps.gov/cwdw/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_War_Defenses_of_Washington The Civil War Defenses of Washington were a group of Union Army fortifications that protected the federal capital city, Washington, D.C., from invasion by the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. The sites of some of these fortifications are within a collection of National Park Service (NPS) properties that the National Register of Historic Places identifies as the Fort Circle. The sites of other such fortifications in the area have become parts of state, county or city parks or are located on privately owned properties. Parts of the earthworks of some such fortifications still exist. Other such fortifications have been completely demolished. On forested hills surrounding the nation's capital are the remnants of a complex system of Civil War fortifications. These strategic buttresses transformed the young capital into one of the world's most fortified cities. By 1865, 68 forts and 93 batteries armed with over 800 cannons encircled Washington, DC. Today, you can visit 18 of the original sites now managed by the National Park Service. Directions vary based on your preference of site. Civil War Defenses of Washington No camping. Civil War Defenses Of Washington Historic Fort Davis Fort Davis (Fall Day) Battleground National Cemetery Luminaries light a cemetery with a monument and homes in the background. Battleground National Cemetery Luminary History at Sunset Park Ranger delivering a program to visitors. History at Sunset at Fort Stevens Park, 2021. Washington DC at War NPS Park Sign for Fort Stevens Fort Stevens Park in Washington DC The Civil War Defenses Then & Now Historic image of Fort Totten on layered on modern image. Fort Totten Then & Now Pawpaw: Small Tree, Big Impact Pawpaw are small trees that don't grow past 100 feet. Yet they have a big influence-- they're the most commonly observed sapling in our National Capital Region forests. Pawpaw trees are virtually immune to deer browse and also produce the largest edible fruit native to North America! A hand holds a lumpy green pawpaw fruit National Parks and National Cemeteries Currently, the National Park Service manages 14 national cemeteries. These cemeteries represent a continuum of use dating to a period before the establishment of the historical parks of which they are an integral part and are administered to preserve the historic character, uniqueness, and solemn nature of both the cemeteries and the historical parks of which they are a part. Setting sun lights up graves and decorations African Americans and the Civil War Forts of DC The 28th Regiment of U.S. Colored Troops was one of the troops attached to the Defenses of Washington. This regiment of infantry was established on November 30, 1863 by Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton. Reverend Willis Revels of the African American Episcopal Church was the chief recruiting officer. The recruits trained for three months and on April 25 1863, six companies of the 28th left Indianapolis for Washington, D.C. where they were attached to the capital’s defenses. african american civil war soldiers stand in front of white building Native Peoples of Washington, DC The village of Nacotchtank (from which the name Anacostia is derived) was the largest of the three American Indian villages located in the Washington area and is believed to have been a major trading center. three native americans seated, black and white photo Elizabeth Proctor Thomas Elizabeth Proctor Thomas grew up in the early 1880s in a small community of free African-Americans in northwest Washington, D.C. During the Civil War, Union troops took possession of her land for construction of a fort. After the war, Elizabeth continued to reside near Fort Stevens. She sold some of her property to an influential Washingtonian who planned to preserve the remaining earthworks and establish a park. A woman with a long, dark dress stands beside a door in a wooden structure The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Civil War Defenses of Washington The National Park Service established two camps in October 1933, one at Fort Hunt in Virginia and the other at Fort Dupont in the District of Columbia. Learn a little more about their work and contributions. The Marvel of Big Guns at Fort Foote The sheer immensity of the two Rodman guns at Fort Foote made them objects of curiosity. Visitors frequently come to see them. Close-up view of a Rodman Cannon at Fort Foote The United States Colored Troops and the Defenses of Washington Coming from free states, or straight off of the plantations, freemen or former slaves, thousands of African Americans fought to destroy slavery once and for all with the United States Colored Troops. Despite the skepticism or outright hostility of some whites, these troops played a major role in both defending the Union capital and taking the Confederate one. Flag of the 22nd United States Colored Troops Hispanics and the Civil War The Civil War was an American epic and an American tragedy. The bloodiest war in United States history claimed the lives of more than 620,000 Americans. Hispanics were very much a part of this conflict. They knew hardship, fear, death, and destruction. They experienced victory and defeat. Some performed acts of spectacular gallantry. Others provided steady service that attracted little comment or notice. Painting of the Battle of Glorieta Pass Living Contraband - Former Slaves in the Nation's Capital During the Civil War For thousands of African Americans during the Civil War, Washington, D.C. was a beacon of freedom - and a place where they could work to assist the war effort. There they found themselves digging fortifications, driving wagons, or cooking, but as free men and women selling their services, many for the first time in their lives. Photo of three African American boys in a Union army camp Third System of Coastal Forts How should a country protect its borders? The United States had to consider this question when the War of 1812 ended in 1815. One year later, the federal government believed it had an answer. The nation created a broad national defense strategy that included a new generation of waterfront defenses called the Third System of Coastal Fortifications. The setting sun lights a stone fort wall where a US flag flies high. Tina Short: Listening to the Community Tina Short was one of the first African American women to serve as a Park Ranger in the National Capital Region. A native of Washington, D.C., Ms. Short spent her career at Fort Dupont Park, the very place she had attended as a day camper and became a Junior Ranger. Short became a well-known figure in the neighborhood, building programs that are still popular to this day. Woman park ranger in uniform Seacoast Ordnance Cannon manufactured for use in Third System forts are called seacoast ordnance. These were some of the largest and heaviest cannon available at the time. Cannon at forts Pickens, McRee, Barrancas, Massachusetts, and Advanced Redoubt fell into three categories: guns, howitzers, and mortars. Each had a specific purpose. The Civilian Experience in the Civil War After being mere spectators at the war's early battles, civilians both near and far from the battlefields became unwilling participants and victims of the war as its toll of blood and treasure grew year after year. In response to the hardships imposed upon their fellow citizens by the war, civilians on both sides mobilized to provide comfort, encouragement, and material, and began to expect that their government should do the same. Painting of civilians under fire during the Siege of Vicksburg Memorials for the Future Memorials for the Future, is a competition that aims to rethink the way we develop and experience memorials in Washington, D.C. Memorials for the Future Logo President Lincoln Under Fire at Fort Stevens On July 12, 1864, President Lincoln stood atop the parapet of the fort to witness the battle and came under direct fire of Confederate sharpshooters. It is the only time in American history in which a sitting president came under direct fire from an enemy combatant. A demonstration of the battle at Fort Stevens Defeat at Manassas Leads to the Fortification of Washington After a humiliating defeat at Manassas, the Union army realized that the war would be a long struggle and that the fortification of the nation's capital needed to be extended and expedited. The massive construction thus began, establishing a defensive ring around the city that would make Washington, D.C. one of the most fortified cities in the world. The Defenses as a Symbol of the Union Cause Americans were acutely aware that control of the capital city could define a nation. Washington, D.C., therefore, played a significant part in the Union strategy and became a political symbol of the Union during these turbulent years. Tina Short and Kym Elder: "The Story of People that Look Like Me" For Tina Short and Kym Elder, African American history is personal. The mother and daughter have expanded the stories the NPS tells while serving their home community. This article was developed from oral history interviews in which they discuss their careers in DC area parks. The interviews contribute to "Telling Our Untold Stories: Civil Rights in the National Park Service Oral History Project" and "Women’s Voices: Women in the National Park Service Oral History Project." Two NPS park rangers in uniform, both African American women, stand in front of a double door DC's Civil War Earthworks Civil War fortifications were based on the European model of the 17th and 18th centuries. Professor Dennis Hart Mahan of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, was the leading authority of fortification engineering. Sea Level Rise in the DC Area Learn about current and projected rates of sea level rise in the greater DC area, based on local water level data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) A tall white cylinder attached to a wooden pier with Hains Point in the background. Causes of Deafness During the Civil War Civil War soldiers faced death on a daily basis. However, they also faced going home with various disabilities. One such disability was partial or complete deafness. Many soldiers were accustomed to temporary deafness from the constant artillery fire in the field. However, illness, the environment, and even the medicine the doctors used on patients could cause a much more permanent hearing loss. 102 Cases of Deafness.Prepared 4 Consideration of senate & house of reps. by Wallace E. Foster. Beech Trees in the National Capital Area American beech (Fagus grandifolia), the most common tree species in National Capital Area parks, is currently facing the emerging threat of Beech Leaf Disease (BLD). A forest with healthy green leafed beech trees Fort Reno Park- A Brief History of Reno City Summary of the Historic Resources Study for Reno City. Full report can be found at https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2291435 Property map of Reno City St. Phillips Hill (the Palisades), NW DC The African American community of St. Phillips Hill, in what is now the Palisades area of Washington DC, was established during the Reconstruction Era along Chain Bridge Road and the C&O Canal. While the historic community no longer exists, St. Phillips Hill was the home to over 100 African American families during its prime. Learn more about community of St. Phillips Hill and the legacy they left behind. Sepia photo of Chain Bridge - early 1860s. Long metal bridge over 2 lengths of water and land patch. Native Grapes Seven species of grapes are native to the National Capital Region. Learn how to tell them apart, where they grow, and how they benefit birds, bugs, and beasts alike. Multiple clusters of grapes hang off of a leafy vine. Series: African American Communities Along the C&O Canal Learn more about five historic African American communities that greatly influenced areas along the C&O Canal and their imprints still visible on the landscape today. These communities formed during the Reconstruction Era as families began building new lives for themselves post-emancipation. While many of these communities no longer exist, their stories illustrate the impact of African American history along the canal. Sepia photo. 3 African Americans getting in boats on C&O Canal. Rocky shore, water, & buildings seen

Civil War Defenses of Washington National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Maryland Virginia Washington, D.C. A 15-inch Rodman Cannon overlooking the Potomac River at Fort Foote NPS / RON HILTON Civil War Forts, Present-Day Parks By latest accounts the enemy is moving on Most of the fortifications were dismantled or abandoned by 1866. High ground around Washington played a vital role in protecting the Washington. . . . Decades later, a plan to connect the historic sites with a scenic autonation’s capital during the Civil War. In 1860 slave states sympathetic Let us be mobile route paved the way for their preservation. Although some to the Confederacy surrounded the District of Columbia, which was elements of the Civil War Defenses of Washington eventually surprotected only by the brittle brick bastions of Fort Washington, 16 vigilant, but keep rendered to time and urbanization, many fortifications and associated miles south on the Potomac. As the prospect for war grew, tensions escalated, and Washington, D.C., lay vulnerable to attack. The Lincoln lands remain protected within the National Park System. Today parks cool. Forested heights and inviting parklands—a rare backdrop to most urban settings—wrap a mantle of contrast around Washington, D.C. Even more uncommon are the exceptional natural elements and remnants of history located among the hills encircling the city. out in 1861, Union forces quickly built a ring of earthen fortifications around the nation’s capital and moved massive cannons into place. Hospitals and settlements sprang up nearby, providing shelter and work for many, including African American “contrabands” of war. Administration realized the city urgently needed a stronger shield of defense, prompting the Federal government to seize strategic lands with views of essential roads, bridges, and waterways. As war broke and woodlands occupy the heights where heavy guns once scanned the horizon—and people stroll, hike, and bike where courageous soldiers once stood guard over the nation’s capital. — President Abraham Lincoln Washington, D.C., July 10, 1864 PORTRAIT / LIBRARY OF CONGRESS The Defenses of Washington Fortifying the nation’s capital became the Union’s greatest concern after the defeat at Manassas in the summer of 1861. Major General John G. Barnard (left), a West Point graduate and respected expert on coastal fort construction, accepted the massive task. Armed with engineers, soldiers, former slaves, and other laborers, Barnard developed a connected system of fortifications occupying every prominent point around Washington. Rifle trenches linked each strategic site and doubled as communication lines. By the end of the Civil War, the “Father of the Defenses of Washington” had directed the construction of 68 forts, 93 gun batteries, 20 miles of rifle pits, and 32 miles of military roads around the capital. As a result, Washington, D.C., became one of the most fortified cities in the world. PORTRAIT / LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Earthen Fortifications Fort Foote Military earthworks are fortifications constructed from dirt. Inexpensive and readily available, dirt produced very strong structures that could absorb the impact of projectiles better than brick or stone masonry. Soldiers and laborers worked NPS with shovels and picks to build ramparts (walls), parapets (slopes), and bombproofs (shelters) following a standard procedure for construction. A dry moat (trench) and barricade of dead trees called an “abatis” surrounded each fort. Company F, Third Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, in Fort Stevens, 1865 The Battle of Fort Stevens By the end of 1863 heavily armed fortifications provided a perimeter of protection around the nation’s capital. With 23,000 troops positioned in this ring of defenses, Washington officials felt the city was well prepared for Confederate attack. Company E, Fourth Colored U.S. Infantry at Fort Lincoln, 1863–1866 The following summer, thousands of troops stationed around Washington, D.C., were sent to reinforce General Ulysses S. Grant at Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia. Only 9,000 poorly trained reserves remained to protect the city. Confederate leaders, including General Robert E. Lee, knew the time was right to strike Washington, D.C. By the afternoon of July 11, 1864, Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early and Encampment near Fort Slocum, 1861 Union troops on guard duty, Chain Bridge, 1865 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LIBRARY OF CONGRESS During the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) provided jobs while enhancing park facilities. Reconstruction of a parapet at Fort Stevens and construction of Fort Davis Drive are only two of the CCC’s most visible contributions throughout the circle of parks. More than a century later, historic locations within the Civil War Defenses of Washington remain linked by a ribbon of recreational opportunities and significant natural and cultural resources. One of the nation’s earliest urban planning e



A Hiker’s Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington Fort Reno to Fort Totten Self-Guided Tour Third Edition June 2014 Library of Congress Civil War Defenses of Washington National Park Service US Department of the Interior 2 Dear Hiker, Welcome to the Civil War Defenses of Washington, D.C. Built on the topographic high points surrounding the capital by Union troops between 1861 and 1864, these feats of engineering transformed the vulnerable capital into one of the world’s most fortifed cities. Today, the surviving sites–some with preserved or reconstructed earthworks–are green spaces in the midst of a densely populated urban area, and are knit into the history of their local communities. Kym Elder, Program Manager Civil War Defenses of Washington Gregory A. Miller, Ph.D. , President American Hiking Society Donald E. Briggs, Superintendent Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Designers: Renee LaGue (2014) Jessica L. Heinz (2013) Welcome The National Park Service and the American Hiking Society are pleased to present this hiker’s guide, produced with the support of the National Park Service Connect Trails to Parks Program and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Ofce. This guide contributes to the vision of a continuous trail system linking the Civil War Defenses of Washington; proposed in 1902 as a vehicular parkway, this idea has been reimagined as a pedestrian and bicycle greenway system within District neighborhoods. With a diverse network of parks, open spaces, trails, and extraordinary cultural resources, the city is poised to become one of our Nation’s prominent trail towns. Happy hiking! 3 Trail Information Planning Your Visit For information on trail closures and alerts, visit the web site for the Civil War Defenses of Washington at http://www.nps.gov/cwdw or call Rock Creek Park at (202) 895-6070. Public restrooms are available at the Rock Creek Nature Center in Rock Creek Park. Restaurants, gas stations, and convenience stores can be found along Connecticut Avenue NW and Georgia Avenue NW. You can help protect the defenses! You play an important role in history when you visit the Civil War Defenses of Washington. For your safety and the preservation of the forts, do not climb on the earthworks– some are unstable and healthy vegetation helps to prevent erosion. All natural and cultural objects are protected by law. Stay on established trails and keep dogs on a leash. Leave rocks, animals, and wildfowers in place. Learn to identify and avoid poison ivy. Dial 911 for emergencies. Rock Creek Nature Center Rock Creek Nature Center 4 0 Route Overview: Fort Reno – Totten (9.3 miles) 500 1,000 2,000 Feet Takoma Metro Station N D. C. Fort DeRussy Fort Stevens Fort Slocum sou sA ve. . NE s Rd Rigg NW Av e. w Ha m psh ire NW Ne NW Fort Totten Metro Station nsa Ka . Ave Van Ness-UDC Metro Station ri A ve. NW NW Rock Creek Park 16th St. NW icut ect Tenleytown Metro Station Mis . Georgia Ave nn n Con Fort Reno Fu ed ture Route) (Pla Ne bra ska Av e .N W Military Rd. NW Fort Totten Planning Your Visit D TO N G LA IN RY SH A A M W Battleground National Cemetery 5 M AR TO D NG AN HI YL AS N D. C. ' OT E Courtesy of Library of Congress Background Information Fort Sites Highlighted in Blue W - ... Washington, D.C. 1865 Map 6 Engineering For War By 1864, Washington had become one of the most fortifed cities in the world, with an encircling array of forts, batteries, and military roads. At the war’s end, Barnard reported that the defenses of Washington included 68 enclosed forts and batteries, emplacements for 1,120 guns (with 807 guns and 98 mortars actually mounted), 93 unarmed batteries with 401 emplacements for feld-guns, twenty miles of rife trenches, three blockhouses, and thirty-two miles of military roads linking the defenses. Library of Congress Library of Congress Library of Congress Background Information Minnesota Historical Society At the outset of the Civil War, the Federal capital of Washington, D.C. was not well-prepared to defend itself against potential Confederate siege or invasion. Reeling from the unexpected Confederate victory at First Manassas (Bull Run) in July 1861, the task of fortifying the capital fell to Major John G. Barnard (top right), the US Army’s chief engineer. Relying on the blueprints outlined by his West Point professor of engineering, Dennis Hart Mahan, in his Complete Treatise on Field Fortifcation (1836), Barnard marshaled Union troops, civilians, and escaped slaves to transform a largely rural area into a landscape of war. 7 Getting There Tenleytown Metro Station to Fort Reno Rd .N W e) ut br Ne d. NW Fessenden St. NW Fort Dr. NW You have arrived at Fort Reno. See following pages for information Davenport St. NW . Ave 40th St. NW t ticu W Ave N NW Tenleytown Metro Station 500 nec sin Chesapeake St. NW Albemarle St. NW 0 161 ft 0.2 mi 331 ft 0.1 mi

A Hiker’s Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington Fort Totten to Fort Mahan Self-Guided Tour First Edition March 2018 Library of Congress Civil War Defenses of Washington National Park Service US Department of the Interior 2 Dear Hiker, of Columbia (1902) This guide complements two similar hiking guides and a hiking and biking brochure (see “Resources”). Together, the opportunity to explore the Civil War Defenses of Washington on foot could become one of the most unique experiences in the region. The overall route—exceptional in the National Trails System--is recognized as a segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHT), a developing network between the mouth of the Potomac River and the Allegheny Highlands. We hope you enjoy the walk. Donald E. Briggs, Superintendent Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail David N. Myers, Ph.D., ASLA, Associate Professor University of Maryland Designers: Beverly Hernandez and Sarah Whiteley (2018) Renee LaGue (2014) Jessica L. Heinz (2013) The PHT network in the region includes the C & O Canal Towpath; Mount Vernon Trail & PHT within George Washington Memorial Parkway; and Southern Maryland PHT bicycling route. Welcome The Civil War Defenses of Washington, built by Union troops between 1861 and 1864, are an engineering feat that transformed the vulnerable capital into one of the most fortified cities in the world. The 1902 “MacMillan Plan” proposed a vehicular parkway connecting the Civil War fortifications, many located on the topographic high points. Today the surviving sites–some with preserved or reconstructed earthworks–are green spaces woven into the past and present of neighborhoods in the midst of a densely populated city, and the connections between and among them reimagined as a “greenway” and a continuous route for pedestrian travel. “With the Anacostia and the Potomac below and the city of Washington spread out beyond and the hills of Virginia in the distance, these are the most beautiful of the broad views to be had in the District.” - MacMillan Commission Plan for the District 3 Trail Information Planning Your Visit For information on trail closures and alerts for Fort Totten and Fort Bunker Hill, visit Civil War Defenses of Washington at Rock Creek Park website (www.nps.gov/rocr) or call (202) 895-6070. For Fort Mahan information, visit the National Capital Parks-East website (www.nps.gov/nace) or call (202) 829-4650. Restaurants, gas stations, and convenience stores can be found around Fort Totten, along Eastern Avenue, and Benning Road. You can help protect the defenses! You play an important role in history when you visit the Civil War Defenses of Washington. For your safety and the preservation of the forts, do not climb on the earthworks– some are unstable and healthy vegetation helps to prevent erosion. All natural and cultural objects are protected by law. Stay on established trails and keep dogs on a leash. Leave rocks, animals, and wildflowers in place. Learn to identify and avoid poison ivy. Dial 911 for emergencies. Rock Rock Creek Creek NatureNature Center Center 4 Fort Totten Metro Station 1 Miles Metro and Capital Bikeshare Stations shown within 1/2 mile of Civil War Defenses of Washington Trail Fort Totten er st Ea Planning Your Visit n e nu e Av NE Fort Bunker Hill Brookland CUA Metro Station Ro N Ave rg il ns bu de Rho Colmar Manor Fort Community Park Lincoln Cemetery ad E nd Isla de ¯ 0.5 Bla 0 Route Overview: Fort Totten to Fort Mahan (11.4 miles) a ti os ac An Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens National Arboretum ra rT ve Ri g la in ry sh a a M W n d to n d. ad Minnesota Ave Metro Station Fort Mahan C. Benning Ro 5 Washington, D.C. 1865 Map Courtesy of Library of Congress Background Information Fort Sites Highlighted in Blue 6 Engineering For War Library of Congress By 1864, Washington had become one of the most fortified cities in the world, with an encircling array of forts, batteries, and military roads. At the war’s end, Barnard reported that the defenses of Washington included 68 enclosed forts and batteries, emplacements for 1,120 guns (with 807 guns and 98 mortars actually mounted), 93 unarmed batteries with 401 emplacements for field-guns, twenty miles of rifle trenches, three blockhouses, and thirty-two miles of military roads linking the defenses. Library of Congress Library of Congress Background Information Minnesota Historical Society At the outset of the Civil War, the Federal capital of Washington, D.C. was not well-prepared to defend itself against potential Confederate siege or invasion. Reeling from the unexpected Confederate victory at First Manassas (Bull Run) in July 1861, the task of fortifying the capital fell to Major John G. Barnard (top right), the US Army’s chief engineer. Relying on the blueprints outlined by his West Point professor of engineering, Dennis Hart Mahan, in his Complete Treatise on Field Fortificatio

A Hiker’s Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington Fort Mahan to Fort Stanton Self-Guided Tour First Edition March 2018 Library of Congress Civil War Defenses of Washington National Park Service US Department of the Interior 2 Dear Hiker, of Columbia (1902) This guide complements two similar hiking guides and a hiking and biking brochure (see “Resources”). Together, the opportunity to explore the Civil War Defenses of Washington on foot could become one of the most unique experiences in the region. The overall route—exceptional in the National Trails System--is recognized as a segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHT), a developing network between the mouth of the Potomac River and the Allegheny Highlands. We hope you enjoy the walk. Donald E. Briggs, Superintendent Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail David N. Myers, Ph.D., ASLA, Associate Professor University of Maryland Designers: Beverly Hernandez and Sarah Whiteley (2018) Renee LaGue (2014) Jessica L. Heinz (2013) The PHT network in the region includes the C & O Canal Towpath; Mount Vernon Trail & PHT within George Washington Memorial Parkway; and Southern Maryland PHT bicycling route. Welcome The Civil War Defenses of Washington, built by Union troops between 1861 and 1864, are an engineering feat that transformed the vulnerable capital into one of the most fortified cities in the world. The 1902 “MacMillan Plan” proposed a vehicular parkway connecting the Civil War fortifications, many located on the topographic high points. Today the surviving sites–some with preserved or reconstructed earthworks–are green spaces woven into the past and present of neighborhoods in the midst of a densely populated city, and the connections between and among them reimagined as a “greenway” and a continuous route for pedestrian travel. “With the Anacostia and the Potomac below and the city of Washington spread out beyond and the hills of Virginia in the distance, these are the most beautiful of the broad views to be had in the District.” - MacMillan Commission Plan for the District 3 Trail Information Planning Your Visit For information on trail closures and alerts for Fort Totten and Fort Bunker Hill, visit Civil War Defenses of Washington at Rock Creek Park website (www.nps.gov/rocr) or call (202) 895-6070. For Fort Mahan information, visit the National Capital Parks-East website (www.nps.gov/nace) or call (202) 829-4650. Restaurants, gas stations, and convenience stores can be found around Fort Totten, along Eastern Avenue, and Benning Road. You can help protect the defenses! You play an important role in history when you visit the Civil War Defenses of Washington. For your safety and the preservation of the forts, do not climb on the earthworks– some are unstable and healthy vegetation helps to prevent erosion. All natural and cultural objects are protected by law. Stay on established trails and keep dogs on a leash. Leave rocks, animals, and wildflowers in place. Learn to identify and avoid poison ivy. Dial 911 for emergencies. Rock Rock Creek Creek NatureNature Center Center 4 1 Miles Minnesota Avenue Metro Station Benning Bridge Metro and Capital Bikeshare Stations shown within 1/2 mile of Civil War Defenses of Washington Trail Fort Mahan Stadium Armory Metro Station d Benning Road Metro Station Ki ng m an Isl an Fort Chaplin rT ra il Potomac Avenue Metro Station ac os tia Ri ve Fort Dupont Park Navy Yard a An tia s co er Riv e nu in s ne M ot ve aA Pen nsy lva nia Fort Dupont Av en ue Fort Davis Anacostia Park Buzzard Point Anacostia Metro Station W Fort Ricketts Fort Stanton as hi ng to M n ar D. yl C. an D Planning Your Visit ¯ 0.5 An 0 Route Overview: Fort Mahan to Fort Stanton (about 6.0 miles) 5 Washington, D.C. 1865 Map Courtesy of Library of Congress Background Information Fort Sites Highlighted in Blue 6 Engineering For War Library of Congress By 1864, Washington had become one of the most fortified cities in the world, with an encircling array of forts, batteries, and military roads. At the war’s end, Barnard reported that the defenses of Washington included 68 enclosed forts and batteries, emplacements for 1,120 guns (with 807 guns and 98 mortars actually mounted), 93 unarmed batteries with 401 emplacements for field-guns, twenty miles of rifle trenches, three blockhouses, and thirty-two miles of military roads linking the defenses. Library of Congress Library of Congress Background Information Minnesota Historical Society At the outset of the Civil War, the Federal capital of Washington, D.C. was not well-prepared to defend itself against potential Confederate siege or invasion. Reeling from the unexpected Confederate victory at First Manassas (Bull Run) in July 1861, the task of fortifying the capital fell to Major John G. Barnard (top right), the US Army’s chief engineer. Relying on the blueprints outlined by his West Point profe