Brightwood in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fort Stevens
Rock Creek Park
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013
1. Fort Stevens Marker
"We haven’t taken Washington, but we scared Abe Lincoln like hell!"
General Jubal Anderson Early
Built between 1861-1863 this structure was originally called Fort Massachusetts and guarded the northern defenses of the nation’s capital during the Civil War. On July 11-12, 1864 Fort Stevens defended the city from a Confederate attack under the command of General Jubal Anderson Early. During the battle, President Abraham Lincoln came under direct fire from Confederate sharpshooters while he witnessed the battle from the parapet of the fort. The Battle of Fort Stevens marks the only time in American history that a seated President came under direct fire from an enemy combatant during a time of war.
Fort Stevens was named after General Isaac Ingalls Stevens. General Stevens was killed on September 2, 1862 during the Battle of Chantilly, Virginia.
[Sidebar:]
In order to construct Fort Stevens, the home of the original property owner, Elizabeth Thomas, was destroyed. Several years after her death in 1917, Ms. Thomas's family was financially compensated by the U.S. Government for the loss of the home and property.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This
this page online
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 57.866′ N, 77° 1.736′ W. Marker was in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in Brightwood. Marker was at the intersection of Quackenbos Street Northwest and 13th Street Northwest, on the left when traveling east on Quackenbos Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 6001 13th Street Northwest, Washington DC 20011, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Fort Stevens (here, next to this marker); Scale Model of Fort Stevens (a few steps from this marker); Lincoln Under Fire at Fort Stevens (a few steps from this marker); “Get Down You Fool” (about 300 feet away, measured
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 12, 2011
2. Fort Stevens Marker
More about this marker. The background of the marker contains an “Illustration of President Lincoln on the parapet of Fort Stevens.” A photograph of the “3rd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery at Fort Stevens, 1865” appears on the right side of the maker. The sidebar includes a portrait of Elizabeth Thomas.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by the linked marker which has slightly different text in the sidebar.
Also see . . . Fort Stevens. Mr. Lincoln’s White House website. (Submitted on November 12, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013
3. Fort Stevens Marker (replacement)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 12, 2011
4. Fort Stevens Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 12, 2011
5. Marker in Fort Stevens
A reconstructed Fort Stevens is located in a residential neighborhood in northwest Washington.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 12, 2011
6. Fort Stevens Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 12, 2011
7. Fort Stevens
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,538 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 14, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on November 12, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on July 14, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 12, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
