Fort Capon facts for kids
Fort Capon, also known as Fort Enoch, was a small fort built from strong wooden posts. It was set up in 1756 by soldiers from the Virginia colony. The fort was located where the North River and the Cacapon River meet, near a place now called Forks of Cacapon in West Virginia.
What Was Fort Capon?
Fort Capon was a simple but important fort. It was built during a time when there were many conflicts, especially the French and Indian War. This war was fought between Great Britain (and its American colonies) and France (with its Native American allies). Forts like Capon helped protect settlers in the area.
Building the Fort
The idea for Fort Capon came from George Washington. He was a young military leader at the time, long before he became the first President of the United States. Washington ordered the Virginia Colonial Militia to build the fort. They started building it in the winter of 1756 and finished by the spring of 1757.
A Skirmish Happens
On April 7, 1757, George Washington sent Captain John Mercer and his soldiers to Fort Capon. Their job was to scout the area around Berkeley Springs. They needed to check if any French soldiers or Native American groups were nearby.
A few days later, on April 18, Captain Mercer and his men had a fight with Native Americans. This happened near Fort Edwards, which was also on the Cacapon River. Sadly, Captain Mercer and sixteen of his soldiers were killed in this skirmish. The area where this happened is now part of the Powell Farm.
Other Names for the Fort
Over time, Fort Capon was known by several different names. These names include:
- Fort Enoch
- Enoch's Fort
- Fort Capon
- Forks of Capon Stockade
