Newport in Newport County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Defending From Land Assault
Think about how difficult a land attack against Fort Adams would be. First, you would have to capture the Redoubt, located a quarter mile to the south. You would then have to charge up the sloping glacis to the Southern front. Finally, you would have to contend with cannon and musket fire from the exterior ditch, tenaille, exterior front and interior ditch. Remember that your own cannon fire is ineffective due to the materials and geometry of the fort’s construction.
How about a tunneling attack? You could dig under the walls and blow them up to create a breech. The fort’s builders, however, left nothing to chance. They constructed listening tunnels where soldiers could detect tunneling operations. When sounds of digging were heard, the defenders would dig their own tunnel in the direction of the sounds. When close, they would set charges and destroy the enemy tunnels.
[ Along Bottom of Marker : ]
Glacis - A gentle slope of land away from the fort without any cover.
Exterior Front - Outer land defenses of the fort.
Ditch - A defensive trench that helps prevent attack and channelizes the enemy.
Tenaille - A wide angular defensive work used to protect the main walls.
Listening Tunnels - Tunnels designed so a soldier could hear the sounds of enemy digging.
Erected by Fort Adams State Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.
Location. 41° 28.656′ N, 71° 20.299′ W. Marker is in Newport, Rhode Island, in Newport County. Marker can be reached from Fort Adams Drive, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located inside Fort Adams. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newport RI 02840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Between the Wars (within shouting distance of this marker); Southwest Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Changing Role of the Fort (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Giant Among Forts (about 500 feet away); Fort Adams Foundation (about 600 feet away); Erich A. O’D. Taylor (about 600 feet away); Three Tiers of Firepower (about 600 feet away); Building a Fortress (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport.
More about this marker. Several pictures of soldiers attacking or defending the fort are on the marker. The left of the marker features an aerial picture of Fort Adams, indicating the location of Redoubt, Glacis, Exterior Ditch, Interior Ditch, Tenaille and Main Large Glacis. Also on the marker is a diagram showing the outworks, exterior fron and other features of Fort Adams.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 806 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 10, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.