Near Fort Washington in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Caponiere
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
1. Caponiere Marker
During the 1840s improvements were made to this wall, defensively the weakest part of the fort. The parapet was raised and an outer work, called a caponiere, was added. The protected passageway on your left will lead you to the outerwork that mounted four howitzers in the chamber ahead and two on the upper level. These weapons are no longer here but you will see the tracks they were mounted on. These traverse rails made it easy to position the howitzers for firing.Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Military.
Location. 38° 42.654′ N, 77° 2.077′ W. Marker is near 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, at the entrance way to the caponiere. 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. Water Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Shot and Shell (within shouting distance of this
this page online
More about this marker. On the left side an overhead plan of the fort indicates the marker location. Below it an illustration shows The small room at the end of the outerwork served as the "sink," or latrine, for the troops. On the right another illustration depicts the caponiere armed with two howizters on the upper level. Below it, a depiction of a howitzer mounted in the lower level shows These 24-pounder howitzers were short ranged weapons used to protect the immediate area around the fort against land attack.
Also see . . .
1. Fort Washington. National Park Service site. (Submitted on June 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Caponiere. The full military definition of caponiere with typical plans from military manuals of the time. (Submitted on June 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
2. Entrance to the Caponiere
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
3. Caponiere Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
4. Caponiere Seen from the Rear Wall of the Fort
The ccaponiere sticks out of the fortification wall to provide a platform for heavy artillery covering the blind spots.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
5. Pivot Points for the Howitzer in the Caponiere
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
6. View of the Fort's Rear from the Caponiere
The firing angles covering the rear walls of the fort are apparent in this view.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
7. 24-pounder Flank Howitzer in the Caponiere
This 24-pounder Flank Howitzer mounted on a regulation flank carriage still covers the rear approaches to the fort from the lower level of the caponiere.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
8. The Way out of the Caponiere
The long tunnel provided access to the lower level of the Caponiere.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
9. 24 Pounder Howitzers
These 24 pounder Howitzers were short range weapons used to protect the immediate area around the fort against land attack.Close-up of image on marke
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
10. The Sink
The small room at the end of the outerwork served as the "sink," or latrine, for the troops.Close-up of image on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
11. The Door to the Sink
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
12. 24 Pounder Howitzer
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
13. Unmounted 24 Pounder Howitzer
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,412 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on July 26, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on July 26, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
