Fort Carroll

Fort Carroll

NPS / Claire Hassler

Quick Facts

Location:

Wa

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Public Transit

Fort Carroll, together with Fort Greble, were part of the Eastern Branch Defenses (Anacostia River) that guarded the gateway to Washington during the Civil War.

Their guns not only swept the Potomac opposite Alexandria, standing ready to prevent attack on the Washington Arsenal and Navy Yard, but also the ravines of Oxon Run giving access to the roads leading to Washington.

The two sites were located on densely wooded land, thereby providing sufficient lumber for the construction of the both sites. Fort Carroll had a perimeter of 340 yards and mounted 14 artillery pieces (13 cannons and 1 mortar). The army constructed Battery Carroll, four unoccupied gun platforms, to cover the forward slopes of the main fort.

Directly west of Fort Carroll was the Giesboro Horse Depot. The massive complex organized, trained, and equipped over 200,000 horses for the army during the course of the war. The majority served with the Army of the Potomac in the Eastern Theater.

The fort was named in honor of Brevet Major General Samuel Sprigg Carroll, a native Washingtonian and West Pointer, who served with distinction with the Army of the Potomac during the war.

Duration:

2 minutes, 5 seconds

An overview of the Civil War Defenses of Washington, the roles of Fort Stevens and other forts in the Civil War, and how park visitors can experience these places today.