Upper Merion Township near King of Prussia in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Protection from Attack
Building the Redoubt
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2019
1. Protection from Attack Marker
Troops originally built this redoubt by hand using shovels and picks. A redoubt was cleverly designed so that every part strengthened its defensive role or provided an obstacle to attack. Soldiers appreciated how these pieces fit together and carefully built the redoubt to be strong because the safety of the camp depended on it. If the British attacked, would you feel confident in your safety here?
Erected by Valley Forge National Historical Park, National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary.
Location. 40° 5.928′ N, 75° 25.494′ W. Marker is near King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County. It is in Upper Merion Township. Marker is on North Outer Line Drive, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in Valley Forge National Historical Park at Stop 2 on the auto tour road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wayne PA 19087, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Advance Redoubt (a few steps from this marker); On the Lookout (a few steps from this marker); Are the British Coming? (within shouting distance of this marker); Greene’s Division (about 300 feet away, measured in a
this page online
More about this marker. The right side of the marker contains a picture of Continental soldiers building the redoubt.
An illustration on the left side of the marker, with a caption of “Can you find these elements in this redoubt?” identifies various parts of the fortification. These include: Banquet - The platform on which soldiers stood, hidden behind the parapet; Gabion - Basket made from intertwined branches and filled with dirt and rocks to strengthen the interior redoubt wall; Parapet - The perimeter of a redoubt and the primary defense against artillery or musket fire; Scarp - The slope of the ditch, meant to be difficult for an attacker to climb; Ditch - Six to seven foot moat meant to trap attackers; Glacis - A sloped section of earth that would force an advancing enemy to approach uphill; Abatis - Sharpened logs
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2019
2. Protection from Attack Marker
Gabion can be seen behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2019
3. Protection from Attack Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2019
4. Protection from Attack Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2019
5. Inside the Redoubt
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2019
6. Abatis on the Redoubt
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 16, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
