Fort Thayer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Thayer |
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| Part of the Civil War defenses of Washington, D.C. | |
| Washington, D.C. | |
Fort Thayer on a map of 1863
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 Fort Thayer
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| Coordinates | 38°55′43.81″N 76°58′18.03″W / 38.9288361°N 76.9716750°W |
| Type | Earthwork fort |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Union Army |
| Condition | Residential Area |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1861 |
| In use | 1861–1865 |
| Materials | Earth and timber |
| Demolished | 1865 |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Fort Thayer was a special kind of fort built during the Civil War. It was one of seven temporary forts made of earth and wood. These forts were built by the Union Army to protect Washington, D.C. from the Confederate Army.
Fort Thayer was located in the northeast part of the city. It was part of a big defense system for Washington, D.C. Other forts in this line included Fort Slocum, Fort Totten, Fort Slemmer, Fort Bunker Hill, Fort Saratoga, and Fort Lincoln. Sadly, unlike some other forts, nothing is left of Fort Thayer today.
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What Was Fort Thayer?
Fort Thayer was an earthwork fort. This means it was mainly built using dirt and timber. The Union Army set it up in 1861. It was a key part of the defenses around Washington, D.C..
The fort was placed between Fort Saratoga and Fort Lincoln. It helped connect these larger forts. Fort Thayer was designed to protect a deep, open area nearby. This area could have given enemy soldiers a good way to approach the city.
Who Was Colonel Thayer?
The fort was named after Colonel Sylvanus Thayer. He was a very important engineer in the Army Corps of Engineers. Colonel Thayer is often called the "Father of West Point". This is because he helped shape the famous military academy.
The land where Fort Thayer was built belonged to a private owner. His name was Charles B. Calvert.
What Weapons Did It Have?
Fort Thayer was equipped with several types of weapons to defend against attacks:
- Two large 8-inch siege howitzers. These were cannons used to fire shells over walls.
- One 24-pounder James gun. This was another type of cannon.
- Four 24-pounder seacoast guns. These were heavy cannons for defending coastal areas.
- One 24-pounder Coehorn mortar. This was a short, wide-barreled cannon that fired shells in a high arc.
Who Guarded Fort Thayer?
Different groups of soldiers were stationed at Fort Thayer during the war. They were there to protect the fort and the city. Some of the troops who guarded Fort Thayer included:
- The 16th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
- The 1st New Hampshire Heavy Artillery Volunteer Regiment
- The 150th Ohio National Guard
What Happened After the War?
When the Civil War ended in 1865, Fort Thayer was no longer needed. So, it was abandoned.
Years later, in 1906, some local residents and businesses wanted to save the fort. They hoped it could become a public park. There were no parks in that area at the time. The owners of the land were willing to sell it to the city. But they wanted it done quickly.
Congress did not act fast enough. In 1908, the idea was brought up again. But the plan was rejected. Soon after, Fort Thayer was removed. Today, there are no buildings or markers left to show where it once stood.
