Fort Stevens
Rock Creek Park
“We haven’t taken Washington, but we scared Abe Lincoln like hell! ” General Jubal Anderson Early
Built between 1861-1863 this structure was originally called Fort Massachusetts and guarded the northern defenses of the nation’s capital during the Civil War. On July 11-12, 1864 Fort Stevens defended the city from a Confederate attack under the command of General Jubal Anderson Early. During the battle, President Abraham Lincoln came under direct fire from Confederate sharpshooters while he witnessed the battle from the parapet of the fort. The Battle of Fort Stevens marks the only time in American history that a seated President came under direct fire from an enemy combatant during a time of war.
Fort Stevens was named after General Isaac Ingalls Stevens. General Stevens was killed on September 2, 1862 during the Battle of Chantilly, Virginia.
[ Sidebar : ]
In order to construct Fort Stevens, the home of the original property owner, Elizabeth Thomas, was destroyed. Several years after her death in 1917, Ms. Thomas’s family was financially compensated by the U.S. Government for the loss of the home and property.
Marker is at the intersection of Quackenbos St NW and 13th Street NW, on the left when traveling east on Quackenbos St NW.
Courtesy hmdb.org
