Fort corcoran

[JackADriscoll]

I was out for a walk in DC and I saw a sign for the old fort corcoran. All it is is a sign now but it makes one wonder how many men would the CSA have to muster to take Washington DC in a siege if all those forts were manned.

Fort Corcoran - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[USS ALASKA]

...how many men would the CSA have to muster to take Washington DC in a siege if all those forts were manned.

More than they have...

The Forts of Washington, DC. | Forts, Fortifications, & Other Forgotten Places

HEADQUARTERS CHIEF ENGINEERS OF DEFENSES, Washington, October 14, 1863. Honorable E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: SIR; A Commission having been ordered by you a year ago, to examine into the system of the defenses of Washington, and that report having received your approval, I feel it proper...

civilwartalk.com

American Civil War Engineer and Fortification Papers | Forts, Fortifications, & Other Forgotten Places

Good wintertime reading. Thanks. As an aside, I have often thought that a good, well-researched work on Confederate coast defense was needed - something that ties together ironclads, ordnance, sea coast fortifications, engineering, railroads, command and control, obstacles, mines, torpedoes...

civilwartalk.com

By 1865, the Defenses of Washington included 68 forts, supported by 93 detached batteries for field guns, 20 miles of rifle pits, and covered ways, wooden blockhouses at three key points, 32 miles of military roads, several stockaded bridgeheads, and four picket stations. Along the circumference of the 37-mile circle of fortifications were emplacements for a total of 1501 field and siege guns of which 807 guns and 98 mortars were in place. The defenseless city of 1860 had become one of the most heavily fortified cities of the world.

History & Culture - Civil War Defenses of Washington (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

HTHs,
USS ALASKA

 

[A. Roy]

I was out for a walk in DC and I saw a sign for the old fort corcoran. All it is is a sign now but it makes one wonder how many men would the CSA have to muster to take Washington DC in a siege if all those forts were manned.

Fort Corcoran - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

That's cool that there's still a marker there. From what I can tell, the site is just streets and office buildings now. Interestingly, the Wikipedia article says that Fort Corcoran was the HQ of the Union Army Balloon Corps!
AR

 

[TSCLowe]

I was out for a walk in DC and I saw a sign for the old fort corcoran. All it is is a sign now but it makes one wonder how many men would the CSA have to muster to take Washington DC in a siege if all those forts were manned.

Fort Corcoran - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

As the Aeronauts were Civilian Contactors the Balloon Corps was initially assigned to the Topographic Engineers. Fort Corcoran was not "The Headquarters" of the Balloon Corps, but one of several Forts along the Potomac from Budds Ferry to Edwards Ferry where balloons were station to observe and report Confederate strength and movement as well as make maps of Northern Virginia after the Battle of Manassas. Balloons seen aloft would help keep the Confederates at bay as well as keep residents north of the river calmer knowing all the South had to do was cross the Potomac to take / capture Washington DC.

Here is a drawing of Forts Woodbury on the left and Fort Corcoran on the right. Note the balloon drawn at Fort Corcoran

The following is a slide from my Round Table presentation identifying Balloon Camps

Respectfully Submitted,

TSC Lowe, Aeronaut
Civil War Balloon Corps Living History

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

I was out for a walk in DC and I saw a sign for the old fort corcoran. All it is is a sign now but it makes one wonder how many men would the CSA have to muster to take Washington DC in a siege if all those forts were manned.

Fort Corcoran - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

If the forts around Washington were fully garrisoned there is no way the Confederates could have taken Washington City.

 

[Irishtom29]

If the forts around Washington were fully garrisoned there is no way the Confederates could have taken Washington City.

And they would need a navy too, otherwise the Potomac prevents the investment of the city and a siege.

 

[Stryker65]

The irony is that General Michael Corcoran, the namesake, died in the area of the fort. (specifically at Fairfax, VA, of a fractured skull resulting from a fall from his horse).

 

[TallTallMan]

Fort Cochoran was where poor Fr. Thomas Mooney got the slap on the wrist from his bishop for blessing that cannon.

 

[Stryker65]

Corcoran additionally had an incident similar to that of the Nelson-Davis incident. He approached the picket line of the Ninth New York Infantry and attempted to enter without giving the countersign (password). The sentry refused to let him in, and Colonel Edgar A. Kimball of the Ninth arrived and supported the sentry. Corcoran thereupon pulled his pistol, shooting and killing Colonel Kimball. Later, he alleged that Kimball had been drunk, and while the Court of Inquiry noted that Kimball should not have been at the picket post, it also reprimanded Corcoran for his actions, although he received no real punishment.

 

[A. Roy]

As the Aeronauts were Civilian Contactors the Balloon Corps was initially assigned to the Topographic Engineers. Fort Corcoran was not "The Headquarters" of the Balloon Corps, but one of several Forts along the Potomac from Budds Ferry to Edwards Ferry where balloons were station to observe and report Confederate strength and movement as well as make maps of Northern Virginia after the Battle of Manassas. Balloons seen aloft would help keep the Confederates at bay as well as keep residents north of the river calmer knowing all the South had to do was cross the Potomac to take / capture Washington DC.

Thanks so much for chiming in here and adding some very useful detail! So glad you're involved in this particular aspect of living history!
AR