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Fort Stevens was initially known as Fort Massachusetts and was constructed in 1861 as part of the defensive ring around Washington, D.C.
Answer: True
Fort Stevens was indeed initially named Fort Massachusetts and was constructed in 1861 as an integral part of the extensive defensive fortifications surrounding Washington, D.C.
Fort Stevens was primarily built using brick and stone, reflecting common fortification techniques of the era.
Answer: False
Fort Stevens was primarily constructed using earthwork, which involved compacted soil and earth, rather than brick and stone, a common and effective method for rapid fortification during the Civil War.
Fort Massachusetts was renamed Fort Stevens in honor of President Abraham Lincoln's visit to the site in 1862.
Answer: False
Fort Massachusetts was renamed Fort Stevens in honor of Brigadier General Isaac Ingalls Stevens, who was killed at the Battle of Chantilly, Virginia, in September 1862, not due to President Lincoln's visit.
Between 1861 and 1862, Fort Stevens' perimeter expanded from 168 yards to 375 yards, and its cannon capacity increased from 10 to 19 guns.
Answer: True
Between 1861 and 1862, Fort Stevens underwent significant expansion, with its perimeter increasing from 168 yards to 375 yards and its capacity for artillery growing from 10 to 19 guns.
Fort Stevens was strategically positioned to guard the southern approach to Washington City via the Potomac River.
Answer: False
Fort Stevens was strategically positioned to guard the northern approach to Washington City, specifically the Seventh Street Turnpike, not the southern approach via the Potomac River.
By 1864, Washington, D.C.'s defensive network included 68 forts and spanned 37 miles, with Fort Stevens being a key component.
Answer: True
By 1864, Washington, D.C.'s defensive network was indeed extensive, comprising 68 forts and spanning 37 miles, with Fort Stevens serving as a crucial element within this comprehensive system.
The decision to significantly augment Washington City's defenses was prompted by the Union Army's victory at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Answer: False
The decision to significantly augment Washington City's defenses was prompted by the Union Army's defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run, not by a victory at Gettysburg.
According to the National Park Service, Washington, D.C., became the most heavily fortified city globally during the Civil War due to its comprehensive defensive system.
Answer: True
The National Park Service states that Washington, D.C., became the most heavily fortified city globally during the Civil War, attributed to its comprehensive defensive system that included numerous forts, batteries, rifle pits, and military roads.
The fortification that later became Fort Stevens was initially named Fort Washington.
Answer: False
The fortification that later became Fort Stevens was initially named Fort Massachusetts, not Fort Washington.
The Seventh Street Turnpike was crucial as the northern approach to Washington City that Fort Stevens was built to defend.
Answer: True
The Seventh Street Turnpike was indeed crucial as the northern approach to Washington City, and Fort Stevens was specifically constructed to defend this strategic route.
Before the widespread fortifications, Fort Washington was the only fort defending Washington, D.C., located south of the city.
Answer: True
Before the extensive fortifications were built, Fort Washington, located south of the city on the Potomac River, was the sole fort defending Washington, D.C.
What was Fort Stevens originally named and what was its primary purpose during the American Civil War?
Answer: Fort Massachusetts, to defend Washington, D.C. as part of extensive fortifications.
Fort Stevens was originally named Fort Massachusetts, and its primary purpose was to serve as a key part of the extensive fortifications built to defend Washington, D.C., during the American Civil War.
When was Fort Stevens constructed, and what was the primary material used in its building?
Answer: 1861, primarily earthwork.
Fort Stevens was constructed in 1861, initially as Fort Massachusetts, and was primarily built using earthwork, a common and effective method for Civil War fortifications.
After whom was Fort Massachusetts renamed Fort Stevens?
Answer: Brigadier General Isaac Ingalls Stevens.
Fort Massachusetts was renamed Fort Stevens in honor of Brigadier General Isaac Ingalls Stevens, who was killed at the Battle of Chantilly, Virginia, in September 1862.
How did Fort Stevens' defensive capabilities change between 1861 and 1862?
Answer: Its perimeter expanded from 168 yards to 375 yards, and cannon capacity increased from 10 to 19 guns.
Between 1861 and 1862, Fort Stevens' defensive capabilities were significantly enhanced, with its perimeter expanding from 168 yards to 375 yards and its cannon capacity increasing from 10 to 19 guns.
What specific route did Fort Stevens guard as a northern approach to Washington City?
Answer: The Seventh Street Turnpike.
Fort Stevens was strategically positioned to guard the Seventh Street Turnpike, which served as a critical northern approach to Washington City.
By 1864, how many forts were part of the defensive network around Washington, D.C.?
Answer: 68 forts.
By 1864, the defensive network around Washington, D.C., was extensive, comprising 68 forts as part of a 37-mile-long arrangement of fortifications.
What event led to the decision to significantly augment Washington City's defenses?
Answer: The Union Army's defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run.
The Union Army's defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run prompted Congress to make the decision to significantly augment Washington City's defenses.
According to the National Park Service, what made Washington, D.C., the most heavily fortified city globally during the Civil War?
Answer: A comprehensive defensive system including 68 forts, 93 batteries, 20 miles of rifle pits, and 32 miles of military roads.
The National Park Service attributes Washington, D.C.'s status as the most heavily fortified city globally during the Civil War to its comprehensive defensive system, which encompassed 68 forts, 93 batteries, 20 miles of rifle pits, and 32 miles of military roads.
How many miles of military roads were constructed as part of Washington, D.C.'s Civil War defenses?
Answer: 32 miles.
As part of Washington, D.C.'s Civil War defenses, 32 miles of military roads were constructed to facilitate troop movement and supply lines.
How many miles of rifle pits were constructed as part of the defenses around Washington, D.C.?
Answer: 20 miles.
A total of 20 miles of rifle pits were constructed as part of the comprehensive defenses around Washington, D.C., providing crucial cover for infantry.
The Battle of Monocacy significantly delayed Maj. Gen. Jubal Early's Confederate forces, preventing an earlier assault on Washington, D.C.
Answer: True
The Battle of Monocacy played a crucial role in delaying Maj. Gen. Jubal Early's Confederate forces, thereby preventing an earlier and potentially more devastating assault on Washington, D.C.
The Battle of Fort Stevens occurred over three days, from July 10 to July 12, 1864.
Answer: False
The Battle of Fort Stevens occurred over two days, specifically July 11 and July 12, 1864, not three days.
Confederate forces were delayed before attacking Fort Stevens by engaging in a skirmish at Rockville and waiting for reinforcements.
Answer: False
Confederate forces were delayed before attacking Fort Stevens by stealing horses in Damascus, Maryland, and staying overnight near Rockville, not by engaging in a skirmish at Rockville and waiting for reinforcements.
Major General George Thomas ordered the District of Columbia Militia into Union service during the Confederate advance on Washington, D.C.
Answer: True
Major General George Thomas indeed ordered the District of Columbia Militia into Union service in response to the Confederate advance on Washington, D.C., bolstering the capital's defenses.
On July 11, 1864, Union soldiers successfully repelled Confederate sharpshooters, pushing them back 300 yards from Fort Stevens.
Answer: True
On July 11, 1864, Union soldiers successfully repelled Confederate sharpshooters, pushing them back approximately 300 yards from Fort Stevens after initial skirmishes.
The Confederate Army established its command center and medical facility at the home of a local Union sympathizer during the Battle of Fort Stevens.
Answer: False
The Confederate Army utilized the house of nearby resident Francis Preston Blair as a command center and medical facility; however, the source does not specify his political alignment as a Union sympathizer.
During the battle, pedestrians gathered on Seventh Street to observe the fighting at Fort Stevens, turning it into a public spectacle.
Answer: True
On the evening of July 11, pedestrians did indeed gather on nearby Seventh Street to observe the fighting at Fort Stevens, transforming the battle into a public spectacle.
United States Secretary of War Edwin Stanton observed the fighting at Fort Stevens from a nearby hill.
Answer: False
United States Secretary of State William Seward, not Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, observed the fighting at Fort Stevens from a carriage.
The Union Army destroyed several nearby houses to prevent Confederate sharpshooters from using them, but allowed homeowners to remove their belongings first.
Answer: True
The Union Army destroyed five nearby houses to prevent Confederate sharpshooters from using them as firing positions, but they did allow homeowners to remove their furniture prior to the destruction.
Confederate sharpshooters occupied Mr. Lay's house and Morrison's orchard as firing positions near Fort Stevens.
Answer: True
Confederate sharpshooters indeed occupied Mr. Lay's house and utilized Morrison's orchard as firing positions near Fort Stevens during the battle.
Confederate soldiers retreated from Fort Stevens on the morning of July 13, moving north towards Maryland.
Answer: False
Confederate soldiers retreated from Fort Stevens overnight on July 12, not on the morning of July 13, and were observed moving across the Potomac River to Virginia, not north towards Maryland.
The Union Army suffered significantly higher casualties than the Confederate forces at the Battle of Fort Stevens.
Answer: False
The Union Army sustained approximately 50 killed, wounded, and missing soldiers, while Confederate forces left behind 101 wounded, indicating that Union casualties were not significantly higher.
What significant battle preceded and delayed Maj. Gen. Jubal Early's Confederate forces before their advance on Washington, D.C.?
Answer: The Battle of Monocacy.
The Battle of Monocacy significantly preceded and delayed Maj. Gen. Jubal Early's Confederate forces, preventing an earlier assault on Washington, D.C.
On what dates did the Battle of Fort Stevens occur?
Answer: July 11 and 12, 1864.
The Battle of Fort Stevens took place on July 11 and July 12, 1864.
Which of the following actions contributed to the delay of Confederate forces before attacking Fort Stevens?
Answer: Stealing horses in Damascus, Maryland, and staying overnight near Rockville.
Confederate forces were delayed before attacking Fort Stevens by actions such as stealing horses in Damascus, Maryland, and staying overnight near Rockville.
Who commanded the order for the District of Columbia Militia to join the Union army during the Confederate advance?
Answer: Major General George Thomas.
Major General George Thomas commanded the order for the District of Columbia Militia to join the Union army during the Confederate advance on Washington, D.C.
Whose residence did the Confederate Army utilize as a command center and medical facility during the Battle of Fort Stevens?
Answer: Francis Preston Blair's house.
The Confederate Army utilized the house of nearby resident Francis Preston Blair as a command center and makeshift hospital during the Battle of Fort Stevens.
What unusual public gathering took place on the evening of July 11 during the Battle of Fort Stevens?
Answer: Pedestrians lining Seventh Street to watch the fighting.
On the evening of July 11, an unusual public gathering occurred as pedestrians lined Seventh Street to observe the fighting at Fort Stevens, turning the battle into a public spectacle.
Which high-ranking U.S. government official observed the fighting at Fort Stevens from a carriage?
Answer: Secretary of State William Seward.
United States Secretary of State William Seward observed the fighting at Fort Stevens from a carriage, witnessing the defense of the capital firsthand.
How did the Union Army prevent Confederate sharpshooters from using nearby houses?
Answer: They destroyed five nearby houses after allowing homeowners to remove furniture.
The Union Army prevented Confederate sharpshooters from using nearby houses by destroying five of them, but only after allowing the homeowners to remove their furniture.
What was the ultimate fate of Mr. Lay's house, which was occupied by Confederate sharpshooters?
Answer: It was burned to the ground after sharpshooters retreated.
Mr. Lay's house, occupied by Confederate sharpshooters, was ultimately burned to the ground after Union soldiers fired upon its cupola, causing the sharpshooters to retreat.
When did the Confederate soldiers withdraw from Fort Stevens, and in what direction were they observed moving?
Answer: Overnight on July 12, crossing the Potomac River from Poolesville, Maryland, to Virginia.
Confederate soldiers withdrew from Fort Stevens overnight on July 12, and they were observed crossing the Potomac River from Poolesville, Maryland, into Virginia.
What were the approximate casualty figures for Union forces after the Battle of Fort Stevens?
Answer: Approximately 50 killed, wounded, and missing.
After the Battle of Fort Stevens, the Union Army sustained approximately 50 killed, wounded, and missing soldiers.
President Abraham Lincoln visited Fort Stevens during the attack and was briefly exposed to enemy fire, a rare event for a sitting president.
Answer: True
President Abraham Lincoln did visit Fort Stevens during the attack, observing the battle and briefly coming under enemy fire, which was indeed a rare occurrence for a sitting president.
President Lincoln's experience at Fort Stevens was the first time a sitting American president came under enemy fire during a war.
Answer: False
President Lincoln's experience at Fort Stevens was the second time a sitting American president came under enemy fire, the first being President James Madison during the War of 1812.
*The Evening Star* reported on July 13, 1864, that President Lincoln had come under enemy fire during his visit to Fort Stevens.
Answer: False
*The Evening Star* reported on President Lincoln's visit to Fort Stevens on July 13, 1864, but notably made no mention of him coming under enemy fire.
What significant historical event involved President Abraham Lincoln at Fort Stevens?
Answer: He observed the battle and was briefly under enemy fire by sharpshooters.
President Abraham Lincoln's significant historical involvement at Fort Stevens included observing the battle and briefly coming under enemy fire by sharpshooters, a rare event for a sitting president.
Who is believed to have directly ordered President Lincoln to seek cover during the battle?
Answer: Union Major General Horatio Wright.
Union Major General Horatio Wright is believed to have directly ordered President Lincoln to take cover during the battle due to the immediate danger of enemy fire.
How historically unique was President Lincoln's experience of being under enemy fire at Fort Stevens?
Answer: It was the second time a sitting president came under enemy fire, the first being President James Madison.
President Lincoln's experience of being under enemy fire at Fort Stevens was historically unique as it was only the second time a sitting American president had faced such a situation, the first being President James Madison during the War of 1812.
What detail was notably absent from *The Evening Star*'s report on July 13, 1864, regarding President Lincoln's visit to Fort Stevens?
Answer: Any mention of Lincoln coming under fire.
Notably absent from *The Evening Star*'s report on July 13, 1864, regarding President Lincoln's visit to Fort Stevens was any mention of him coming under enemy fire, despite other details of his visit being reported.
Elizabeth Proctor Thomas, an enslaved woman, had her property seized and destroyed for the construction of Fort Stevens.
Answer: False
Elizabeth Proctor Thomas was a free black woman whose property was seized and destroyed for the construction of Fort Stevens, not an enslaved woman.
President Abraham Lincoln is believed to have offered words of comfort to Elizabeth Thomas, promising her a 'great reward' for her loss.
Answer: True
It is widely believed that President Abraham Lincoln offered words of comfort to Elizabeth Thomas, promising her a 'great reward' for the loss of her property due to the fort's construction.
Elizabeth Thomas was compensated $5,000 for her property loss in 1865, shortly after the Civil War concluded.
Answer: False
Elizabeth Thomas was compensated $1,835 in 1916, not $5,000 in 1865, for her property loss.
Whose property was seized and destroyed for the construction of Fort Stevens?
Answer: Elizabeth Proctor Thomas, a free black woman.
The property seized and destroyed for the construction of Fort Stevens belonged to Elizabeth Proctor Thomas, a free black woman, and her siblings.
What was the monetary value of the compensation Elizabeth Thomas received in 1916 for her property loss?
Answer: $1,835.
Elizabeth Thomas was eventually awarded $1,835 in 1916 as compensation for the damage and loss of her property, an amount equivalent to $53,024 in 2024.
What was Elizabeth Proctor Thomas's social status regarding freedom during the Civil War era?
Answer: She was a free black woman.
Elizabeth Proctor Thomas was a free black woman during the Civil War era, indicating she was not enslaved.
The National Park Service currently owns and maintains the Fort Stevens site as part of the Civil War Defenses of Washington.
Answer: True
The Fort Stevens site is currently owned and maintained by the National Park Service, which preserves it as a component of the broader Civil War Defenses of Washington.
After the Civil War, Fort Stevens was converted into a military hospital due to its strategic location.
Answer: False
After the Civil War, Fort Stevens was abandoned and no longer served its original military purpose; it was not converted into a military hospital.
Lewis Cass White, a veteran of the Battle of Fort Stevens, led the effort to establish a memorial at the site, dedicated in 1911.
Answer: True
Lewis Cass White, a veteran of the Battle of Fort Stevens, indeed led the formation of the Fort Stevens Lincoln Memorial Association, which resulted in the dedication of a stone memorial on November 7, 1911.
The Civilian Conservation Corps undertook restoration efforts at Fort Stevens in the late 1930s, restoring a portion of the parapet and one magazine.
Answer: True
In the late 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) carried out specific restoration work at Fort Stevens, including the restoration of a portion of the parapet and one magazine.
All soldiers who perished in the Battle of Fort Stevens, both Union and Confederate, are interred in Battleground National Cemetery.
Answer: False
While Union soldiers are interred in Battleground National Cemetery, Confederate soldiers who died at Fort Stevens are memorialized and buried in Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Who is the current owner and maintainer of the Fort Stevens site?
Answer: The National Park Service.
The National Park Service currently owns and maintains the Fort Stevens site as part of the Civil War Defenses of Washington.
What was the fate of the Fort Stevens site after the conclusion of the Civil War?
Answer: It was abandoned and no longer served its original military purpose.
After the conclusion of the Civil War, the Fort Stevens site was abandoned and ceased to serve its original military purpose.
Who initiated the effort to establish a memorial at Fort Stevens, and when was it dedicated?
Answer: Lewis Cass White, dedicated on November 7, 1911.
Lewis Cass White, a veteran of the Battle of Fort Stevens, initiated the effort to establish a memorial at the site, which was dedicated on November 7, 1911.
What specific restoration work was carried out at Fort Stevens during the late 1930s?
Answer: Restoration of a portion of the parapet and one magazine by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
During the late 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) carried out specific restoration work at Fort Stevens, including the restoration of a portion of the parapet and one magazine.
Where are the Union soldiers who perished in the Battle of Fort Stevens interred?
Answer: Battleground National Cemetery.
The Union soldiers who perished in the Battle of Fort Stevens are interred on the grounds of the nearby Battleground National Cemetery.
Where are the Confederate soldiers who died at Fort Stevens memorialized and buried?
Answer: Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland.
The Confederate soldiers who died at Fort Stevens are memorialized and buried in Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland.