Fort Totten Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Totten |
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| Part of the Civil War defenses of Washington, D.C. | |
| Washington, D.C. | |
Fort Totten during the Civil War
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 Fort Totten
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| Coordinates | 38°56′49″N 77°00′15″W / 38.947056°N 77.004139°W |
| Type | Earthwork fort |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Union Army |
| Condition | Residential Area |
| Site history | |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Fort Totten Park is a special place in Washington, D.C. It honors the Civil War and is built on the site of an old Union Army fort. The National Park Service takes care of this park today.
Contents
History of Fort Totten
Fort Totten was a fort built by the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was made of earth and was named after Joseph Gilbert Totten, an important engineer. Construction started in August 1861 and finished by 1863.
Why was Fort Totten built?
Fort Totten was one of seven forts built in the northeast part of Washington, D.C. The Union Army built these forts to protect the city from the Confederate Army. These forts were part of a group called the "Fort Circle."
Other forts in the area
From west to east, the other forts protecting Washington, D.C., were:
Today, Fort Totten is a park managed by the National Park Service. It is located in the Fort Totten neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
What Fort Totten Looked Like
Fort Totten was a medium-sized fort. It had seven sides and was about 272 yards (249 meters) around. It sat on a ridge near the main road from Washington to Silver Spring, Maryland. This was about three miles (5 km) north of the Capitol. It was also close to the Soldiers' Home, where President Abraham Lincoln spent his summers.
Fort Design and Defenses
The fort was built with thick earth walls, about 15 feet (4.6 meters) thick and 8 feet (2.4 meters) high. Outside the walls, there was a large dry ditch, or moat. This moat was over seven feet (2.1 meters) deep and twelve feet (3.7 meters) wide. Beyond the moat, there was a cleared area with a barrier of tree branches and other debris. This barrier was called an abatis.
Inside the fort, along the walls, were platforms for cannons. Some cannons fired over the top of the wall, while others fired through openings in it. There was also a shelf called a banquette, where soldiers could stand to fire their guns over the wall.
Weapons at the Fort
Fort Totten had many different types of weapons:
- Four 6-pounder field guns (bronze)
- Eight 32-pounder Parrotts
- Two 8-inch siege howitzers
- One Coehorn mortar
- One 10-inch mortar M. 1841
- Three 30-pounder Parrotts
- One 100-pounder Parrott
Soldiers Who Served Here
Different groups of soldiers protected Fort Totten during the war:
- 76th New York Infantry (their main base in February 1862)
- 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery Regiment
- 136th Pennsylvania Infantry
- 137th Pennsylvania Infantry
Fort Totten in Battle
Fort Totten was involved in the Battle of Fort Stevens. This battle happened on July 11 and 12, 1864. Confederate General Jubal A. Early attacked the fort during this time.
After the Civil War
When the Civil War ended in 1865, Fort Totten was no longer needed as a military fort. Today, the National Park Service takes care of the site.
The Washington Metro has a train station called Fort Totten station, named after the fort. Also, a street behind the fort is called Fort Totten Drive.
Images for kids
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Men and gun of 3d Massachusetts Heavy Artillery at the Fort Totten ornamental gate in 1865
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Officers of Companies
A and B
3d Massachusetts Heavy Artillery and crew of 100-pdr Parrott gun on iron barbette carriage
at Fort Totten -
Sergeants of 3rd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, with gun and caisson at Fort Totten
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Officers of 3rd Regiment Massachusetts Heavy Artillery
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Interior view of Fort Totten
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Interior of Fort Totten
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Officers of Companies A and B, 3d Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, before quarters at Fort Totten
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Washington, District of Columbia. James rifles in Fort Totten
