Fort DeRussy Marker

HMdb.org

THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE “Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”

Home — My Markers — Add A Marker — Marker Series — Links & Books — Forum — About Us

Word or Phrase

Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print

Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort DeRussy

By F. Robby, July 9, 2009

1. Fort DeRussy Marker

Inscription. Built in 1861 to protect the Rock Creek Valley during the Civil War, Fort DeRussy's cannon fired a total of 109 projectiles into the northern countryside as 12,000-15,000 Confederate soldiers attacked the city under the command of Confederate General Jubal Anderson Early on July 11-12, 1864. During this two day battle (known as the Battle of Fort Stevens) Fort DeRussy aided the surrounding forts by providing the main suppressive fire to ensure a Union victory on the battlefield.

The largest piece of armament which Fort DeRussy utilized was the 100-Pound Parrott Rifle. This cannon, shown above at nearby Fort Totten, could hurl 100 pound projectiles several miles into the Maryland countryside. During the Battle of Fort Stevens, Fort DeRussy halted the Confederate advance into the city by firing this deadly and accurate cannon a total of 28 times.

[image Parrott Rifle at Fort Totten] Members of the 3rd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery by 100-Pounder Parrott Rifle inside Fort Totten, 1865.

[photo of Private Samuel Strawser] Private Samuel Strawser, a member of the 151st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was stationed at Fort DeRussy during the Battle of Fort Stevens.

[photo of General Jubal Early] "On the right was Rock Creek, running through a deep ravine which had been rendered impassable... every appliance

By F. Robby, July 9, 2009
2. Fort DeRussy Marker
The second marker on the right asks visitors to not pull out or cut down vegetation around Fort DeRussy as they are helping to keep the fort intact. Behind these markers is a stone marker for the fort, and behind it can be seen part of the exterior walls of the fort.

of science and unlimited means had been used to render the fortifications around Washington as strong as possible." - General Jubal Anderson Early, Commander of Confederate forces during the Battle of Fort Stevens.

You can download a podcast of Fort DeRussy at www.nps.gov/rocr.

Erected by US Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

Marker series. This marker is included in the Defenses of Washington marker series.

Location. 38° 57.781′ N, 77° 3.037′ W. Marker is in Washington, District of Columbia. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Oregon Avenue and Military Road. Click for map. Marker is located about 200 yards northeast of the intersection and is accessed by a trail through the woods. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20015, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. A different marker also named Fort DeRussy (a few steps from this marker); Fort De Russy (about 600 feet away, in a direct line); Aunt Betty's Story (approx. 1.1 miles away); Fort Stevens (approx. 1.1 miles away); Walter Reed Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); Lincoln Under Fire at Fort Stevens (approx. 1.2 miles away); "Get Down You Fool" (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Rock on Brightwood Avenue (approx. 1.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Washington.