Fort Saratoga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Saratoga |
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| Part of the Civil War defenses of Washington, D.C. | |
| Washington, D.C. | |
Fort Saratoga on a map of 1863
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 Fort Saratoga
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| Coordinates | 38°55′47.3″N 76°58′43.3″W / 38.929806°N 76.978694°W |
| Type | Earthwork fort |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Union Army |
| Condition | Residential Area |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1861 |
| In use | 1865 |
| Materials | Earth and timber |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Fort Saratoga was a temporary fort built during the American Civil War. It was one of seven "earthwork" forts. These forts were made from earth and timber. They were part of the defenses of Washington, D.C.. The Union Army built them in 1861. Their job was to protect the city from the Confederate Army.
Fort Saratoga was located in the northeast part of Washington, D.C. It was part of a chain of forts. These included Fort Slocum, Fort Totten, Fort Slemmer, Fort Bunker Hill, Fort Thayer, and Fort Lincoln. Unlike some other forts from that time, nothing remains of Fort Saratoga today.
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Building Fort Saratoga
Fort Saratoga was an important part of the Civil War defenses of Washington, D.C.. It was built about 2.5 miles from the city center back then. The fort was located between Fort Bunker Hill and Fort Thayer. It was on the north side of what is now Rhode Island Avenue (Washington, D.C.).
Construction on Fort Saratoga began in August 1861. Soldiers from the 112th Pennsylvania regiment helped build it. The fort was designed to hold eight large guns. It had a perimeter of 154 yards.
What Guns Did Fort Saratoga Have?
Fort Saratoga was equipped with several types of artillery. These powerful weapons helped defend the city.
- Six 32-pounder smoothbore cannons
- One 42-pounder James gun
- One 24-pounder Coehorn mortar
South of Fort Saratoga, across the road, was another smaller defense point called Battery Morris.
Who Guarded Fort Saratoga?
Different groups of soldiers were stationed at Fort Saratoga. They protected the fort and the city during the war.
- 112th Regiment Pennsylvania - 2nd Heavy Artillery
- 1st District of Columbia Infantry Regiment
- 12th Veteran Reserve Regiment
- 150th Ohio National Guard
- 2nd Company, New Hampshire Heavy Artillery
After the Civil War
When the Civil War ended in 1865, Fort Saratoga was no longer needed. The military abandoned the fort. The land where the fort stood went back to private owners. By 1902, a Mrs. Walsh owned the land. She used it as a farm field.
Today, the area where Fort Saratoga once stood is a neighborhood with houses. There are no visible signs or remains of the old fort.
