Fort Lee in Bergen County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Barbette Battery
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 25, 2008
1. The Barbette Battery Marker
This battery was believed to be the “Barbette Battery” as its location commanded a large field of fire of the river, stretching North to South from the Chevaux-De-Frise to the Bluff Rock’s southern edge.
A Barbette Battery’s guns fired over a low wall rather than through openings in the battery wall and was likened to “spitting over one’s beard”. The word, “barbette”, is derived from the French term for “beard”.
Field Cannons
It is believed that this battery consisted of five heavy iron cannons capable of firing 24 pound balls. The wide area covered by this emplacement required its guns to be mobile and they were therefore mounted on traveling carriages enabling artillery fire to be aimed at several ships or to be concentrated on a single target.
The battery was constructed on a stone base and its cannon platform was covered with planking sloped upward in the rear to lessen cannon recoil. The parapet was built of fascines and was filled with earth. The battery wings were built higher to afford protection from enemy fire.
Erected by Fort Lee Historic Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary.
Location. 40° 50.911′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Soldier Hut (a few steps from this marker); Musketry Breastwork (within shouting distance of this marker); Abatis Construction at Fort Lee (within shouting distance of this marker); Historical Chronology 1776 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cannons (about 400 feet away); Military Magazine (about 500 feet away); Mortar Battery (about 600 feet away); The American Crisis (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Lee.
More about this marker. The bottom of the marker contains an illustration of a cannon with several types of ammunition being fired, including solid shot, case and canister.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This series of markers follows the walking tour of Fort Lee Historic Park.
Also see . . . Battle of Fort Washington. American Revolutionary War website entry (Submitted on August 30, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 25, 2008
2. Marker at Fort Lee Historic Park
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 25, 2008
3. Marker with cannons
Cannon at the Barbette Battery still look out over the Hudson River.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 23, 2013
4. The Barbette Battery Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 25, 2008
5. Fort Lee Artillery
Examples of several types of artillery pieces are at the Barbette Battery at Fort Lee Historic Park.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 25, 2008
6. Cannon at Barbette Battery
The bridge in the background connects the sites of Fort Lee in New Jersey and Fort Washington in Manhattan. It is named for General George Washington.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 25, 2008
7. Barbette Battery's 32-Pounder
The 32-Pounder was the largest piece of artillery at Fort Lee. The name refers to the weight of the cannonball.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 25, 2008
8. Mortar at Fort Lee Battery
Mortars were used to fire on British ships that attempted to sail up the Hudson River.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 23, 2013
9. Artilllery Crew at the Barbette Battery
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 23, 2013
10. The Barbette Battery Cannon
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 23, 2013
11. Firing the 32-Pounder
Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,098 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on November 23, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 9, 10, 11. submitted on November 23, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
