Redoubt #3

Redoubt #3. Point Lookout State Park. , Standing before you is Redoubt #3, a Union fortification on the peninsula. This redoubt was one of three designed to resist a potential attack from Confederate forces as well as to prevent possible breakouts from the prisoners of war camp held at Camp Hoffman., The 60-yard square earthen walled redoubt was built to defend against artillery or direct infantry assault. In the event of an attack, loose dirt and sod on the outside walls would slow attackers wile the hardened interiors would resist cannon fire. At the rear (in relation to the prisoner camp), an "L"-shaped passage protected the main gate from cannon fire or a battering ram. The dry moat would further hinder an enemy attack., Confederate prisoners of war provided work details during their detainment at Point Lookout. One such detail was to aid the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct the three forts/redoubts on the peninsula., Today, the earthen walls are all the only original vestiges of Redoubt #3 and are the last remaining fortifications of their type in Maryland. The other structures are reconstructions, based on archival drawings. Inside you can visit the officers' quarters, barracks, guardhouse and storage areas. Efforts to maintain and interpret this one of a kind historic resource are led by the volunteers of Friends of Point Lookout, Inc., Guard duty ranged from the prison at Camp Hoffman to the interior of the redoubts. Pictured above is a company of the 10th Veterans Reserve Corps, who were assigned as prison guards at Point Lookout, June 1864.