I had seen Fort Washington from the air and from the water, and felt that this day was the day to see it on the ground. While it has sprinkled early in the morning there was every indication that it would be a beautiful early Fall day Fort Washington is I think the only remaining masonry fort constructed to protect Washington against the British in the 19^th Century. It has been modified frequently as technology improved and at the turn of the 20^th Century was fitted with reinforced steel casements that would withstand the naval weaponry of the era. The ability to conduct indirect fire on targets out of site of the weapons relegated the old fort to be an observation post and a control point for the command detonated mines placed in the river. The Civil War had proven that masonry forts were virtually worthless against rifled artillery during the assault on Fort Pulaski in Georgia.

It was abandoned to the British during the War of 1812, used by the Union forces during the Civil War but I do not believe ever truly subjected to siege. Located high on the bluff overlooking the Potomac River from the Maryland side not far south of Alexandria, it is a developer’s dream location. One can just barely see the roof of Mount Vernon down river and Mount Vernon Parkway is visible peeking through the trees across the river itself. The fort is undergoing restoration of the masonry facade and the interior buildings but generally is on good repair. There are plenty of picnics areas on the grounds and I spotted people fishing down on the banks. It is a worthwhile historic site to visit.