Fort Bayard (1)

 (1862-1865) - A Union U.S. Civil War fort established in 1862 in Northwest Washington DC. Construction began in 1862 and was completed in 1863. Named for Brevet Brigadier General of Volunteers, regular Captain USA, George D. Bayard, 4th U.S. Cavalry, who died 14 Dec 1862 from wounds received at Fredericksburg, Virginia, during the U.S. Civil War. Fort abandoned and dismantled in 1865 at the end of the war.

History
Established late in 1862 from plans designed by Colonel Barton Alexander,, U.S. Engineers. The design was in the form of an ellipse that had a perimeter of 123 yards with eight gun platforms and embrasures. Armament was two 12-pounder smoothbore howitzers on either end and four 20-pounder rifled Parrott guns in the middle (2 vacant gun platforms). A small three gun outworks, Battery Bayard (2), was located to the right of the main works all aligned with a rifle pit.

A 17 May 1864 report from the Union Inspector of Artillery noted the following: "Fort Bayard, Maj. J. M. Murphy commanding.–Garrison, one company Seventh New York Heavy Artillery– 6 commissioned officers, I ordnance-sergeant, 129 men. Armament, two 12-pounder field howitzers and four 20-pounder Parrotts. Magazines, one; dry and in good order. Ammunition, full supply and serviceable. Implements, complete and serviceable. Drill in artillery, ordinary; needs improving. Drill in infantry, very indifferent; needs much improving. Discipline, indifferent. Garrison is not full strength."

Abandoned and dismantled in 1865 at the end of the war.

Current Status
No visible remains of the fort in Fort Bayard Park, Northwest Washington DC. Map points are not exact but are close.

See Also:
 * Battery Bayard
 * Washington DC Fort Ring
 * Washington DC Defense System - U.S. Civil War

Sources:
 * , page 133-134
 * , page 133-134

Links:
 * North American Forts - Fort Bayard
 * Wikipedia - Fort Bayard