Near Fort Washington in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Shot and Shell
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
1. Shot and Shell Marker
When rifled artillery was introduced in the late 1850s and used during the Civil War, effectiveness of masonry structures decreased. The new weapons fired projectiles that fit the bore tightly and were given a stabilizing spin by the grooves in the barrel.
These improvements gave the rifled guns a range, accuracy, and hitting power nearly three times greater than the smoothbore cannon of the early 19th century.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Military.
Location. 38° 42.665′ N, 77° 2.118′ W. Marker is near Fort Washington, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker can be reached from Fort Washington Road, on the right when traveling south. Located in Fort Washington Park, overlooking the southwest demi-bastion. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13551 Fort Washington Road, Fort Washington MD 20744, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Water Battery (a few steps from this marker); Minefields (within shouting distance of this marker); Counterscarp Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Caponiere
this page online
More about this marker. On the marker to the left are illustrations of smoothbore and rifled artillery. On the right is a profile drawing of the fort walls illustrating the difference in the effectiveness of the different projectiles. On the lower right is a photograph of Fort Pulaski, Georgia, showing damage inflicted by rifled artillery in 1862.
Also see . . . Fort Washington. National Park Service site. (Submitted on May 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
2. Shot and Shell Wayside
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
3. Shot and Shell Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
4. 24-pounder Smoothbore Guns
On display in the courtyard of the fort is this set of guns. These may be replicas, but conform with 24-pounder guns of the 1840 pattern.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
5. Parrott Rifled Cannon
Several examples of 30-pounder Parrott rifles (4.2 inch bores) are also displayed in the courtyard. Like the smoothbores, these have no markings and have very rough machining lines. These are most likely replicas also.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
6. Smoothbore and Rifled Artillery
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
7. The Result
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
8. Fort Pulaski, Georgia
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 11, 2011
9. 24 Pounder Cannon
This Civil-War era gun mounted en barbette as shown on the marker is the only gun still mounted at Fort Washington. The Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the Washington Monument are visible in the distance.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,140 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on July 23, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on May 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on July 23, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
