Scotland in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Defense Strategies
Point Lookout State Park
| | Maryland Park Service | |
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, July 1, 2008
1. Defense Strategies Marker
Imagine defending this isolated peninsula during the Civil War. There were threats from within (from thousands of prisoners) and from without (by Confederate soldiers trying to free their comrades or gain territory). What's more, a pro-Southern population surrounding the Point.
To meet the challenge, Union strategists devised a complex defense plan. They built three forts, a series of rifle pits and a gun battery, positioning them to catch enemies in a murderous crossfire. These defenses, bolstered by navy gunboats offshore, made Point Lookout virtually unassailable with the weapons of the day.
Fort #1
A four-gun redoubt - with 10-foot high walls and a 20-foot wide dry moat was built in the center of the peninsula to prevent uprisings from the prison pen.
Fort #2
Fort Lincoln was the main fortification and center for base activity.
Fort #3
Located about 100 yards offshore on the Chesapeake Bay side, Fort #3 was a manned, 4-gun earthen fort similar to Fort #1.
Caption of photo on lower right side of marker
Rifle pits protecting Point Lookout.
Erected by Maryland Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Southern Maryland. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Point Lookout-Hammond Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Hammond General Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Hammond General Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Point Lookout (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Light's On at Point Lookout (about 400 feet away); The Wharf (about 400 feet away); The Buoy & Coal Sheds (about 500 feet away); Point Lookout Radio Room (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scotland.
Other markers no longer nearby. A Bustling Civil War Community (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); John Wilkes Booth (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Point Lookout State Park (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Let There Be Light (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Pete Payette, June 19, 2017
2. Defense Strategies Marker
Photographed by Pete Payette, June 19, 2017
3. Point Lookout Fort Tour
State Park signpost at the entrance to Fort Lincoln, showing a map of the past and present shoreline and placement of Civil War era structures.
Photographed by Pete Payette, June 19, 2017
4. Sidebar detail on park sign.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,071 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on June 26, 2017, by Pete Payette of Orange, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on July 7, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 26, 2017, by Pete Payette of Orange, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
