Battery Mudge

Battery Mudge (1900-1920) - Battery Mudge was a concrete Endicott Period 3" gun battery located on Fort Armistead (1), Maryland. The Battery was named in G.O. 78, 15 May 1903, for 2nd Lt. Robert R. Mudge, killed in action against the Seminole Indians 28 Dec 1835. Battery construction started in 1899, was completed in 1900 and the Battery transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 8 May 1900 at a total cost of $6, 860.00. Deactivated in 1920. Battery Mudge Gun Emplacement Base Rings Battery Mudge Gun Emplacement #2 Base Ring Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Baltimore. Battery Mudge was a concrete Endicott Period gun battery with two 3" M1898MI guns mounted on M1898 Masking Parapet mounts. Battery Mudge Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 4 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #4, Driggs-Seabury 1900-1920 See Note 1 2 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 3 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #3, Driggs-Seabury 1900-1920 See Note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jan 1920, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 70, 209 Note 1: Guns removed and shipped 11 Aug 1920 to Watervliet later declared obsolete and donated, CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA. Carriages scrapped 20 May 1920. CDSG gun carriage card collection from NARA. Battery Mudge Plan 1 Jan 1920 World War I (1917-1918) The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. The guns of Battery Mudge were not affected by the World War I redistribution but the following 1920 disarmament program eliminated all of the 3" M1898 guns and carriages. The guns were removed and shipped 11 Aug 1920 to Watervliet and later declared obsolete and donated. The carriages were ordered scrapped 20 May 1920. Current Status On Fort Armistead (1) Baltimore City Park. No period guns or carriages in place. The two base rings for the gun mounts are visible but the concrete battery is hidden in the undergrowth. Location: Fort Armistead (1), Maryland. Maps & Images Lat: 39.209907 Long: -76.5341574 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 36.1' Sources: Links: CDSG Visited: 2 Apr 2009 Battery Mudge Picture Gallery Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! Battery Mudge Emplacement #2 Base Ring