Fort Slemmer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Slemmer |
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| Part of the Civil War Defenses of Washington | |
| Brookland, Washington, D.C. | |
The gate of Fort Slemmer
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 Fort Slemmer
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| Coordinates | 38°56′23″N 77°00′05″W / 38.9397222°N 77.0013889°W |
| Type | Earthwork fort |
| Area | 93-yard (85 m) perimeter |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Catholic University of America |
| Controlled by | Union Army (1861–1865) |
| Condition | Traces of some earthworks |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1861 |
| In use | 1862–1864 |
| Materials | Soil and timber |
| Demolished | Yes |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Fort Stevens |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | 2nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery |
Fort Slemmer, sometimes called Battery Slemmer, was a small fort built during the Civil War. It was one of seven temporary forts made of earth and wood. These forts were part of the defenses built around Washington, D.C. to protect the city from the Confederate Army. Fort Slemmer was located in the northeast part of the city.
The forts were built by the Union Army starting in 1861. They stretched from west to east and included Fort Slocum, Fort Totten, Fort Slemmer, Fort Bunker Hill, Fort Saratoga, Fort Thayer, and Fort Lincoln. Today, very little of Fort Slemmer's original structure remains.
Fort Slemmer During the Civil War
Fort Slemmer was named after Lieutenant Adam J. Slemmer, a brave officer. It was built in August 1861. The fort was located between Fort Totten and Fort Bunker Hill. It stood on the east side of Harewood Road, just north of The Catholic University of America.
In February 1862, the 20th New York regiment moved into the fort. The fort was equipped with several types of cannons to defend against attacks.
Here are the types of weapons Fort Slemmer had:
- Three 32-pounder James guns (large cannons)
- One 8-inch siege howitzer (a cannon that fires shells in a high arc)
Different groups of soldiers were stationed at Fort Slemmer to protect it:
- The 20th New York
- Several New Hampshire Heavy Artillery units
- The 150th Ohio National Guard
- Battery G, 3rd United States Artillery
After the Civil War
Fort Slemmer was no longer needed after the Civil War ended in 1865. The fort was abandoned and slowly fell apart over time.
