The Battle of Fort Stevens

Fort Stevens

Source: National Park Service

In June and July of 1864, Confederate Major General Jubal A. Early led his troops on a campaign through the Shenandoah Valley and into Maryland in an attempt to divert Union troops from their siege at Petersburg, Virginia. Union troops under the command of Major General Lew Wallace encountered Early’s troops at Monocacy Junction, Maryland close to Frederick. Wallace’s main objective at Monacacy was to delay Early’s march long enough to allow Union reinforcements to arrive at Washington where the defending fortifications were largely manned by clerks and convalescent troops. Union troops were outnumbered and Confederate troops ultimately forced them to retreat to Baltimore. Following a Confederate victory at Monocacy Junction, Early moved south toward Washington, D.C.

On July 11, Early's troops tested the fortifications that encircled the city. On July 12, Early attacked Fort Stevens, located approximately five miles north of the White House, and was repulsed. In the afternoon, a Union counterattack drove the Confederate troops back from their positions and from nearby Fort DeRussy. Recognizing the improved defenses of Union capital, Early abandoned plans of taking the city and withdrew during the night.

It was during the Battle of Fort Stevens that President Lincoln became the first, and only, sitting President to come under direct and purposeful fire from an enemy soldier. On July 12^th, Union General Horatio Wright, invited Lincoln to view the fighting from a parapet at Fort Stevens. As Lincoln stood upon the parapet with his doctor and his wife, a Confederate sharpshooter took a shot which struck and wounded an officer standing nearby.

Sources:

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/fort-stevens

https://www.jackmillercenter.org/article/the-fort-stevens-incident

https://www.nps.gov/places/fort-stevens.htm

Todays excerpt from Philip’s diary covers the week leading up to and including the Battle of Fort Stevens. The area in which the Battle of Fort Stevens occurred was mostly open farm area at the time of the battle. Many of the homes, farms and other buildings in the area were damaged or destroyed to provide a field of fire for artillery, and to prevent enemy sharpshooters from using them as a blind. Philip mentions burning homes near the fort in his July 12^th entry.

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JULY 5^TH

Had target practice. Our battery knocked two targets to pieces. Order came to draw muskets which very much displeased the boys.

JULY 6^TH

Was on police. Then went out after cedars to build a summer house for our Lieut. Theis (Junior Second Lieutenant John P. Theis) when we got through he treated to the beer. Weather very hot and dry. We are very much troubled with this heat. Went bathing and was very much refreshed. We have not much to do but gather blackberries.

JULY 7^TH

Nothing new transpires in camp. Had some rain. Expect to draw some pay in a few days. Received a letter from home with two dollars in it which came very handy to me. Very hot in camp.

JULY 8^TH

Was sent out to the target to make shells. But the target practice was postponed until further orders. We was inspected by the chief of General DeRussys staff and had a drill.

JULY 9^TH

Was on guard duty. No news from the front. Received a letter from home.

JULY 10^TH

Had inspections this morning. We are looking for an attack from the Rebels. We detached 3 detachments from our battery. One was sent to Fort Lyons, 1 to Weed, 1 to Willard, and the other stayed at their post. We all had to sleep at our posts. All the roads were blockaded and a very strong picket out. But as usual there was no Rebs to be seen.

JULY 11^TH

All day we have been waiting for the enemy to make an attack, but as usual they have never made their appearance yet. Rebel soldiers that were spying around our lines. We are still here with a weak force, no reinforcements yet. We have been busy storing provisions in the fort so we can stand a siege if need be.

JULY 12^TH

We heard firing this morning in the northeast direction of Washington. We drew muskets this evening which the boys very much disliked. 6 o’clock pm. Very heavy firing which we are returning promptly. We are momentarily expecting an attack. We are burning all the homes in front of our works to keep the rebel sharpshooters out of them. Now while I write I see a large fire in front of T_(?)_town. The work of the invading force.