The Washington Arsenal Explosion: Civil War Disaster in the Capital

by Brian Bergin

In 1864, residents of Washington, D.C., mourned together at the largest funeral the district had ever seen. In the midst of the Civil War, the poor Irish neighborhood of the Island lost twenty-one mothers, sisters and daughters. On June 17, dangerous working conditions and a series of unfortunate events led to the deadly explosion of a Federal arsenal at Fort McNair, where the young women made cartridges to assist the war effort. In the wake of the horrific event, a monument was erected at Congressional Cemetery to honor those who were lost. Author Brian Bergin similarly memorializes these women through his book, detailing the poor working conditions, the investigation into the avoidable events leading to the tragedy and the reaction of a community already battered by the Civil War.

Genres: History

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 2012

Reviews

[Linda Gaines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short little book that tells the not well known story of an explosion at the Washington Arsenal during the Civil War that killed 21 women. Interesting, sad story.