Battery Garesche facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battery Garesche |
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| Arlington, Virginia | |
Battery Garesche historical marker
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 Battery Garesche
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| Coordinates | 38°50′19″N 77°05′50″W / 38.838517°N 77.09725°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1861 |
Battery Garesche was a special kind of fort built by the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was an artillery battery, which means it was a place where big cannons were set up to defend an area. This battery was part of the many defenses built around Washington, D.C. to protect the capital city.
It was located in what is now Fairlington, Arlington County, Virginia. The battery was named after Lieutenant Colonel Julius P. Garesché, a brave soldier who died in battle in 1862.
Building the Battery
Battery Garesche was built in late 1861. Its main job was to control the high ground near another fort called Fort Reynolds. It also helped protect Fort Reynolds from attacks by the Confederate army.
The battery had a perimeter of about 152 meters (166 yards). It was designed to hold 9 large guns or cannons.
Where Was It?
Even though Battery Garesche was in Virginia, which was a Confederate state, this area near Washington, D.C., was always controlled by the Union forces. The battery no longer exists today. You can only find a historical marker that tells its story.
Another Battery Garesche
Much later, another place was named Battery Garesche to honor Lieutenant Colonel Julius P. Garesché. This one was at Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
This second battery was made of concrete and built in 1906. It had two special "disappearing" 6-inch (155 mm) guns. These guns could pop up to fire and then hide again. However, these guns were removed and sent to the battlefields in Europe during World War I.
