Rome in Oneida County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Guard Duty

Fort Stanwix National Monument

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 30, 2014

1. Guard Duty Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

All soldiers were responsible for guard duty on a rotation basis. Each 24-hour period was the responsibility of one or more companies, each consisting of 40-60 soldiers. During this period they shared all guarding duties, sleeping and patrolling in shifts. They were based in the guardhouse when not on active patrol.

Guards were responsible for monitoring the fort’s perimeter, guarding entryways and supervising prisoners and work parties outside the fort perimeter. The officer of the day had overall responsibility for the guard rotation.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 43° 12.628′ N, 75° 27.328′ W. Marker is in Rome, New York, in Oneida County. Marker can be reached from Black River Blvd. (New York State Route 26), on the right when traveling west. Marker is located inside Fort Stanwix. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 E Park Street, Rome NY 13440, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker. Southwest Bombproof: Storeroom and Siege Hospital (a few steps from this marker); Missionary’s Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Suttler (within shouting distance of this marker); Soldiers’ Quarters: Casemate (within shouting distance of this marker); Visiting Officers’ Lodging (within shouting distance of this marker); Artillerymen (within shouting distance of this marker); Soldiers’ Quarters: Barracks Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Junior Officers’ Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rome.

More about this marker. The marker contains an image of guards at Fort Stanwix and has a caption of “The Guards are to be as follows with the Main Guard: 1 Sub 1 Sergeant 1 Corporal 1 Drum and 30 privates the Quarter Guard: 1 Sub 1 Sergeant 1 Corporal 1 Drum and 18 Privates. The Garden Guard 1 Corporal and 6 Privates – All the Guards are to Parade and march off together . . . the Officers to Exercise their Guards at Least once a Day, when the Weather will permit.
Garrison Orders, September 1777”

Also see . . . Fort Stanwix National Monument. National Park Service website. (Submitted on August 5, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 30, 2014

2. Guard Duty Marker

In August 1777, British Gen. Barry St. Leger led an army towards Albany. They laid siege to Fort Stanwix, but were ultimately forced to retreat to Canada.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 30, 2014

3. Guard Duty Marker

Inside the Guardhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 30, 2014

4. Inside the Guardhouse

Guard on Duty at Fort Stanwix image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 30, 2014

5. Guard on Duty at Fort Stanwix

A guard stands watch at the southwest bastion during the 1777 siege of Fort Stanwix.

Guards at the Drawbridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 30, 2014

6. Guards at the Drawbridge

Fort Stanwix image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 30, 2014

7. Fort Stanwix

The guard shack atop the southwest bastion of the fort can be seen here.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 326 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 5, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.