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Fort Greble (1) (1861-1869) - A Union U.S. Civil War fort established in 1861 in Southwest Washington DC. Named for 1st Lieutenant John T. Greble, who was killed at the battle of Big Bethel, Virginia, 10 Jul 1861. Turned over to the Signal Corps in 1868 as a training facility and later abandoned in 1869.
Fort Greble (1) History
One of the ring of Union fortifications surrounding Washington DC during the U.S. Civil War, see Washington DC Fort Ring.
The fort mounted 17 guns and mortars and protected the junction of the Anacostia and Potomac rivers and the Washington Navy Yard. The fort was octagonal and had a 327 yard perimeter. The fort was positioned between Fort Carroll (3) and Fort Foote (1).
A 17 May 1864 report from the Union Inspector of Artillery noted the following: "Fort Greble, Capt. George S. Worcester commanding.–Garrison, one company Seventh Unattached Heavy Artillery, Massachusetts Volunteers–4 commissioned officers, 1 ordnance- sergeant, 120 men. Armament, six 12-pounder field howitzers, six 32-pounder barbette, one 8-inch siege howitzer, one Coehorn mortar, one 10-inch mortar, one 30-pounder Parrott. Magazines, one; dry and in good condition. Ammunition, full supply and serviceable. Implements, complete and serviceable. Garrison drilled some at artillery and infantry."
After the war was over the post was turned over to the Signal Corps in 1868 for use as a training facility but was later abandoned in 1869.
Current Status
Marker located at the entrance to Fort Greble Park and the remains of the fort earthworks are located behind the marker.
USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 531308
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Location: Fort Greble Park, marker is at the intersection of Elmira Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Southwest Washington DC
Maps & Images
Lat: 38.8272 Long: -77.0147
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See Also:
Sources:
- Cooling, Benjamin F. III and Owen, Valton H. II, Mr. Lincoln's Forts: A Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington, Scarecrow Press, 2009, ISBN 0810863073, ISBN 9780810863071, 334 pages.
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 135
- NPS Civil War Defenses of Washington - Appendix E: General Reports About the Defenses
Links:
Visited: 22 May 2013
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