Defense of Washington, D.C.

At the outset of the Civil War, Washington, D.C. was extremely vulnerable to attack. The Union army’s defeat at the first Battle of Bull Run in July 1861 in Manassas, Virginia convinced President Lincoln and Congress that Washington must be protected at all costs. By the end of the Civil War, it had become one of the most fortified cities in the world. The city was protected by a network of 68 forts, 93 batteries and numerous military camps.
 
Location of major forts around Washington in 1865. Source: National Park Service
 
The city’s defenses were nearly impenetrable and the well defended city did not experience much combat. One of the few attacks on the city came in July of 1864 when Lieutenant General Jubal Early assaulted Fort Stevens on the north side of Washington. Philip discusses events surrounding this attack in his diary. These entries are included in my first post on April 11. Early’s intent with this attack was not to capture Washington, but to divert Union forces away from the siege at Petersburg, Virginia.
 
Among the Washington area forts Philip was either stationed at or mentions in his diary through October 1, 1864, which is as far as I’ve gotten to date, are: DeRussy, Willard, O’Rourke, Farnsworth, Ward, Lyons, Weed, Stevens, Ethan Allen and Scott.
 
Sources
 
The following excerpt from Philip’s diary covers the period of May 22nd through May 26th, 1864 in which he mentions Forts DeRussy and Ward, and Camp Barry.


The photograph above is of the page from the diary for May 25th, 1864. In the entry he also mentions going to the Smithsonian and seeing a tomahawk presented to Davy Crockett by the Young Men's Whig Association of Philadelphia in 1835.
_______________________
 
MAY 22ND
Very hot weather and took a walk in the woods for a few hours. No news from the front all day that we knew of. We received a general order that we shall wear nothing but the government caps.
 
MAY 23RD
Layed around camp all day. Received two letters, answered them. Was detailed for police duty and nothing of note transpired.
 
MAY 24th
Had a drill 2 hours this morning. Had nothing to do this afternoon except going after water which we had to go three fourths of a mile for it. Went down to city after roll call. Was caught in a very heavy rain and returning was arrested by the sentinel but escaped unharmed.
 
MAY 25TH
Drilled this morning and then went down to town. Visited the capital and saw several beautiful sights, paintings and statues. Visited the Senate and Representatives chambers then went to the Smithsonian Institution. There I saw some very great curiosities. Among them was the tomahawk that was presented to Col. Davey Crockett by the young men of Philadelphia (Young Men's Whig Association), and a great many things that came from all the foreign nations of the world. Then from there I went to the United States Patent Office and there I saw a great many models of many inventions of the modern age. I took my dinner at the Soldiers Rest and when I arrived at camp we had orders to march a garrison to Fort DeRussy. We are turning over these horses to the calvary. It is rumored that the rebels are evacuating Richmond and how true it is I can’t say. Every man is pushed to the front. Passed the evening very pleasant.
 
MAY 26TH
Left Camp Barry this morning for Fort Willard. Marched through the rain. Went 8 miles out of our way. Made 16 miles in 4 hours through the rain and mud. I got wet to the back bone. When we arrived here we had to stand out in the rain for 1 hour before we could get room in the barracks. And when we did get it we had to lay on the floor. Had but one meal of victuals. We have no news of the army today.

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