Mr. Lincoln's Forts: A Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington

by Benjamin Franklin Cooling III, Walton H. Owen II

During the American Civil War, Washington, D.C. was the most heavily fortified city in North America. As President Abraham Lincoln's Capital, the city became the symbol of Union determination, as well as a target for Robert E. Lee's Confederates. As a Union army and navy logistical base, it contained a complex of hospitals, storehouses, equipment repair facilities, and animal corrals. These were in addition to other public buildings, small urban areas, and vast open space that constituted the capital on the Potomac. To protect Washington with all it contained and symbolized, the Army constructed a shield of fortifications: 68 enclosed earthen forts, 93 supplemental batteries, miles of military roads, and support structures for commissary, quartermaster, engineer, and civilian labor force, some of which still exist today. Thousands of troops were held back from active operations to garrison this complex. And the Commanders of the Army of the Potomac from Irvin McDowell to George Meade, and informally U.S. Grant himself, always had to keep in mind their responsibility of protecting this city, at the same time that they were moving against the Confederate forces arrayed against them. Revised in style, format, and content, the new edition of Mr. Lincoln's Forts is the premier historical reference and tour guide to the Civil War defenses of Washington, D.C.

334 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Alternate names:
B. Franklin Cooling
Benjamin F. Cooling

Benjamin Franklin Cooling III served as Chief Historian and Research Director with the Department of Energy and as a historian with the Army, Air Force, and National Park Service, and elsewhere. He has taught at numerous universities and is currently a Professor of History at the National Defense University in Washington DC. Cooling has authored or edited 16 books on the Civil War and modern warfare and has written several hundred articles, essays and reviews on aspects of military, naval and other history.

Reviews

[Henry Davis IV · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reference book describing the locations, composition, armament, and units that manned every fortification of Washington D.C.'s defenses during the American Civil War is really a jewel that captures a lot of valuable information about these works and the Army who manned them. Each section contains vignettes from Soldiers' letters home, newspaper articles, or other period sources (if available) which really helps this book to read more like a narrative. I would love to see an organization dedicated to historic preservation like the American Battlefield Trust which specializes in the American Revolution, War of 1812, and Civil War get permission to update this book. By extending this book's narrative treatments, adding color pictures and / or artist renderings, possibly expanding the appendices to include other relevant information (i.e. pictures and descriptions of the artillery pieces discussed, an expanded fortification glossary with illustrations, etc.), and last but not least developing a tour application (app) for mobile devices like the American Battlefield Trust and others have done for many other historic sites; I think this book's audience would be expanded and greater visibility for these often endangered sites would be gained. Although President Kennedy's vision of these sites being partially reconstructed and linked by a circular roadway passed away with him, many of these sites could still be revitalized and serve a great role as community recreation and educational resources with some consistent exposure and better applied funding. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in fortification, the American Civil War, Field or Siege Artillery, or American Military posts in general.