Fort Montgomery in Orange County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Enlisted Men’s & Officers’ Barracks
By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2008
1. Enlisted Men’s & Officers’ Barracks Marker
The long foundation to the left was a barracks for enlisted men. The short foundation on the right housed the fort’s senior officers and served as a commissary for storing food provisions. Items stored here were controlled and carefully guarded. Archeology suggests that only the northern half of the cellar was used for storage. The southern half of the cellar had a fireplace and may have been where the officers’ servants lived.Construction was virtually constant during the 18 months Fort Montgomery was occupied. The Enlisted Men’s Barracks was one of the first two buildings erected in the fort. It was followed by other buildings, gun platforms, earthworks, and the construction of Fort Clinton across the creek.
Erected by Fort Montgomery State Historic Site.
Location. 41° 19.516′ N, 73° 59.263′ W. Marker is in Fort Montgomery, New York, in Orange County. Marker is on U.S. 9W, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in Fort Montgomery State Historic Site on the walking trail, near Route 9W. Touch for map.
By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2008
2. Fort Montgomery Observation Platform
The walking trail in Fort Montgomery State Historic Site passes the remains of earthworks and foundations of buildings from the original fort, such as the Enlisted Men's and Officers' Barracks.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Soldiers’ Necessary (within shouting distance of this marker); Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); North Redoubt (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle Around the Redoubts (within shouting distance of this marker); Guard House (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Montgomery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Powder Magazine (about 300 feet away); The Battle of Fort Montgomery (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Montgomery.
More about this marker. The marker is dominated by a picture showing the construction of "Enlisted Men’s Barracks" and "Officers’ Barracks & Commissary." It has a caption of "Jack Mead, who oversaw the archeological excavation of the fort, believed that the archeological evidence suggested this was a one-story barracks. Letters and maps from the spring of 1776, however, indicate that the barracks was two stories high.
Painting by Dahl Taylor, 2002."
The bottom right and left of the marker are photographs of the excavation of the barracks. The left photo has a caption of "The large mound you see in the middle of the Enlisted Men’s Barracks is a nearly intact chimney. The archeologists reburied this feature to protect it." The photo on the right has a caption of "This remarkably intact brick hearth, found in the cellar of the Officer’s Barracks and Commissary building, led archeologists to conclude that the officers’ servants used this portion of the cellar. The archeologists reburied this feature to protect it."
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This series of markers follow the walking tour of the Fort Montgomery Battlefield.
Also see . . .
1. The Battle of Fort's Montgomery and Clinton. The American Revolutionary War. (Submitted on May 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
2. The Battle of Fort's Montgomery and Clinton. (Submitted on May 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
Categories. • Forts, Castles • Military • Notable Events • War, US Revolutionary •
By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2008
3. Marker with Barracks Foundation
The remains of the Enlisted Men's Barracks can be seen behind the marker.
By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2008
4. Enlisted Men’s Barracks Foundation
The barrack's chimney is visible in this photo in the middle of the foundation.
By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2008
5. Officers’ Barracks Foundation
The bare spot in the middle of the foundation is a brick hearth that was reburied after being excavated.
More. Search the internet for Enlisted Men’s & Officers’ Barracks.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on May 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,018 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
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