Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Century of Protection
The Block House in America
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012
1. A Century of Protection Marker
Inscription.
A Century of Protection. The Block House in America. Captain Daniel Cushing, 2nd U.S. Artillery, noted in his diary of 16 February 1813, that the men “placed one twelve pound cannon in the lower blockhouse. Gen. [William Henry] Harrison gave notice this evening that he expected to be attacked every night.” Cushing was writing of Fort Meigs, Ohio, which the soldiers had been constructing. During his stint there, Cushing outlasted a siege by the British in early May 1813, which lasted just over a week, and another attempted siege and attack late that July.
Blockhouses could stand alone, or be inside a fortification. At Fort Meigs, they were along the exterior palisades of the fort. Blockhouses were typically made of timber and often had a second story that projected over the first floor, to better defend the area below. The walls had loop holes for troops to fire through. If strong enough, the second floor could hold artillery. Blockhouses proved reliable and were utilized in other conflicts and areas, including the French and Indian War, westward expansion, early Florida conflicts, and the Civil; War.
Captain Daniel Cushing, 2nd U.S. Artillery, noted in his diary of 16 February 1813, that the men “placed one twelve pound cannon in the lower blockhouse. Gen. [William Henry] Harrison gave notice this evening that he expected to be attacked every night.” Cushing was writing of Fort Meigs, Ohio, which the soldiers had been constructing. During his stint there, Cushing outlasted a siege by the British in early May 1813, which lasted just over a week, and another attempted siege and attack late that July.
Blockhouses could stand alone, or be inside a fortification. At Fort Meigs, they were along the exterior palisades of the fort. Blockhouses were typically made of timber and often had a second story that projected over the first floor, to better defend the area below. The walls had loop holes for troops to fire through. If strong enough, the second floor could hold artillery. Blockhouses proved reliable and were utilized in other conflicts and areas, including the French and Indian War, westward expansion, early Florida conflicts, and the Civil; War.
N, 77° 9.519′ W. Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. Marker can be reached from Army Heritage Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 1, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
