New Castle in Rockingham County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

Walbach Tower

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2017

1. Walbach Tower Marker

Inscription.
Nearby Walbach Tower is one of several built along the Atlantic coast during the War of 1812.

Its builder, John de Barth Walbach, came to America from France in 1797. He joined the U.S. Army the following year and rose in rank from a lieutenant in the Light Dragoons to a brigadier general.

Walbach was assigned to Fort Constitution in 1806 and placed in charge of Portsmouth defense. He eventually became second in command of all New England seacoast defenses.

At age 93, General Walbach was still on active duty, the oldest officer in the history of the U.S. Army.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 43° 4.241′ N, 70° 42.721′ W. Marker is in New Castle, New Hampshire, in Rockingham County. Marker is on Sullivan Lane east of Wentworth Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located beside the Fort Constitution parking lot, east of Judd Gregg Marine Research Center, overlooking the subject Walbach Tower ruins. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29 Wentworth Road, New Castle NH 03854, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Walbach Tower (a few steps from this marker); Portcullis (about 600

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feet away, measured in a direct line); William and Mary Raids (about 600 feet away); Fort William and Mary Commemoration Marker (about 600 feet away); Mines Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Frost Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); New Castle Congregational Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Resisting Naval Firepower (approx. ¾ mile away in Maine). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Castle.

Regarding Walbach Tower. Marker gives General Walbach's age as 93, but other sources indicate he died at age 90.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Walbach Tower

Also see . . . John de Barth Walbach (Wikipedia). Brevet Brigadier General John Baptiste de Barth Walbach, an Alsatian baron who fought in the French Revolutionary Wars, was one of the few foreign-born senior officers in the US Army prior to the Civil War. A career Army officer who served for over 57 years, he remained in active duty until his death at the age of 90, making him the oldest acting officer in U.S. history. During his long career he commanded most forts on the eastern seacoast:

Walbach Tower Marker (<i>tall view • tower ruins in background behind fence</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2017

2. Walbach Tower Marker (tall view • tower ruins in background behind fence)

Fort Constitution, Fort Trumbull, Fort Severn, Fort Monroe, Frankford Arsenal, Fort McHenry, and Fort Pickens. (Submitted on June 15, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 201 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 15, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.