Lieutenant Adam J. Slemmer.

[major bill]

Most all of us know of Major Robert Anderson and the action at Fort Sumter. Less people know about Lieutenant Adam J. Slemmer and Fort Pickens. In January 1861 Lieutenant Slemmer move a small group of soldiers from Fort Barrancas to Fort Pickens. Although Confederates demanded he surrender Slemmer refused to do so. The small garrison held out until it was reinforced when Colonel Harvey Brown arrived an April 11, 1861 and took over command. Lieutenant Slemmer probably prevent the capture of Fort Pickens when he move there from Fort Barrancas. Fort Pickens was one of four Federal forts in the seceding states that were never captured by Confederate forces.

Lieutenant Slemmer served with honor throughout the war becoming a Brevetted Colonel and a Brigadier General of volunteers. Fort Slemmer which was one of the temporary forts in the defensive ring of Washington DC., was named for him. Not long after the Civil War Slemmer died at age 40.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

Battery Slemmer, an Endicott fortification near Fort McRee, was later named in his honor:

Battery Slemmer - FortWiki Historic U.S. and Canadian Forts