Fort Washington in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Northwest Demi-Bastion
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
1. The Northwest Demi-Bastion Marker
The bastion design includes two levels of artillery. Guns were to be mounted on the parapet above and in the casemates you see below at the base of the wall. When the fort was armed in the 1840s, however, only the guns on the upper, or barbette, level were installed.
The casemates saw other uses. Company laundresses lived in two of them with their soldier husbands until better quarters were built outside the fort in 1867. Other casemates served as storerooms and the sutler, or post trader, had a shop in one during the early 1860s.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 38° 42.692′ N, 77° 2.049′ W. Marker is in 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 northwest 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. Main Gateway (a few steps from this marker); Caponiere (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct
this page online
More about this marker. On the left is an illustration depicting a laundress. In the lower center is what appears to be a sutler's list of goods with prices. On the right is a drawing of the demi-bastion showing guns mounted on the parapet. A overall plan of the fort indicates the location of the marker.
Also see . . . Fort Washington. National Park Service site. (Submitted on May 29, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 12, 2014
2. The Northwest Demi-Bastion Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
3. The Courtyard of the Demi-Bastion
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
4. One of the Casemates
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
5. ... With a River-Front View
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
6. Barbette Mounts on the Parapet
The iron traces used by the wheels on the gun carriages are elevated upon blocks. The iron pivot points are in the center, on raised brick platforms.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
7. Another View of the Courtyard
Note the lower casemates of the demi-bastion are on a level lower than the main fort's courtyard. A stairway leads to this lower level.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 12, 2014
8. The Northwest Demi-Bastion
The casemates saw other uses. Company laundresses lived in two of them with their soldier husbands until better quarters were built outside the fort in 1867. Other casemates served as storerooms and the sutler, or post trader, had a shop in one during the early 1860s.
Close-up of image on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 12, 2014
9. Company Laundress
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 12, 2014
10. List of Sutler's Goods Stored in One of the Casemates
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 12, 2014
11. Inside a Casemate
Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,170 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 29, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 3, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 29, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on September 3, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
