Fort Slemmer

Fort Slemmer sometimes called Battery Slemmer was one of seven temporary earthwork forts part of the Civil War Defenses of Washington, D.C., during the Civil War built in the Northeast quadrant of the city at the beginning of the Civil War by the Union Army to protect the city from the Confederate Army. From west to east, the forts were as follow: Fort Slocum, Fort Totten, Fort Slemmer, Fort Bunker Hill, Fort Saratoga, Fort Thayer and Fort Lincoln. Unlike other forts, today very little remains of the structure.

Fort Slemmer
Part of the Civil War Defenses of Washington
Brookland, Washington, D.C.[1]
The gate of Fort Slemmer
Fort Slemmer
Coordinates38°56′23″N 77°00′05″W[2]
TypeEarthwork fort
Area93-yard (85 m) perimeter[1]
Site information
OwnerCatholic University of America[1]
Controlled byUnion Army (1861–1865)
ConditionTraces of some earthworks[1]
Site history
Built1861
In use1862–1864[3][4]
MaterialsSoil and timber
DemolishedYes
Battles/warsBattle of Fort Stevens[1]
Garrison information
Garrison2nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery[3][4][5]

Civil War
Soldiers at gate of Fort Slemmer

The fort was named in honor of Lieutenant Adam J. Slemmer. It was built in August 1861 between Fort Totten and Fort Bunker Hill on the east side of Harewood Road just north of The Catholic University of America's Marist Hall.[1] In February 1862, the 20th New York moved in the fort.[6]

The fort was equipped with the following armament:

The following troops garrisoned in the fort:

  • 20th New York
  • Several New Hampshire Heavy Artillery
  • 150th Ohio National Guard
  • Battery G, 3rd United States Artillery[6]

Post Civil War

The fort was abandoned at the end of the civil war in 1865.[7] It fell in disrepair after the war.[6]

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See also

References
  1. Rice Scott, Sarah; Dobbs, Michael; Mazzenga, Maria. "A Historical Walking Tour of The Catholic University of America : The Civil War: Fort Slemmer". CUexhibits.WRLC.org. American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives. Catholic University of America. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  2. "Fort Slemmer (historical)". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. December 18, 1979. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  3. Cowan's Auctions. "Civil War Photograph of the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, Fort Slemmer, by Brady". CowanAuctions.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  4. National Park Service. "Union Pennsylvania Volunteers: 2nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery (112th Volunteers)". NPS.gov. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  5. "Fort Slemmer Co. and 2d Pennsylvania Artillery". LOC.gov. LCCN 2012646716. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  6. The Defenses of Washington during the War - The Evening Star - Thursday, October 9, 1902 - page 21
  7. Fortwiki - Fort Slemmer - http://www.fortwiki.com/Fort_Slemmer
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