Fort Stevens

Fort Stevens, originally known as Fort Massachusetts, was an important military installation within the sprawling ring of defenses built around Washington, D.C. during the American Civil War. The fort was constructed in 1861 to secure the northern approach to the capital along the Seventh Street Turnpike. After the Union defeat at Bull Run, Congress decided to greatly expand the city's defenses, which ultimately made Washington one of the most heavily fortified places in the world. The fort itself was enlarged over time and renamed in honor of the fallen Brigadier General Isaac Ingalls Stevens. The story of its construction is an interesting one: in 1861, Union soldiers destroyed the property of the free Black family of Elizabeth Proctor Thomas to make room for the fort. Elizabeth Thomas, who was present when her home was destroyed, fought for compensation for decades, receiving it only shortly before her death.\r\n\r\nThe historic high point of the site was the Battle of Fort Stevens in July 1864, when Confederate troops under Major General Jubal Early threatened the capital. During the fighting, President Abraham Lincoln watched the defense from close range and reportedly came under enemy fire for a short time, making him one of the few sitting presidents to be directly threatened by bullets in wartime. The battle ended with the Confederate retreat; they left behind numerous wounded, while Union forces suffered only light losses.\r\n\r\nToday the grounds are maintained by the National Park Service as part of the Civil War Defenses of Washington. You can explore the remains of the fortifications, including parts of the parapet and a powder magazine that were restored in the 1930s. A stone monument erected in 1911 by a memorial association commemorates the events and Lincoln. The site is located near the intersection of Georgia Avenue and 13th Street in northwest Washington. The surrounding area also includes cemeteries where those killed in the battle were buried, making this a significant place for historical reflection.