How about a journey back to July 12, 1864? We are standing near Fort Stevens. It is the only time a sitting U.S. President faced enemy fire.
Fort Stevens stands as a testament to a crucial moment in American history. This fort was one of 68 built to defend Washington D.C. during the Civil War. Originally named Fort Massachusetts, it was later renamed to honor Brigadier General Isaac Ingalls Stevens. He died at the Battle of Chantilly.
In the summer of 1864, General Robert E. Lee aimed to relieve pressure on his forces. He sent General Jubal A. Early to strike at Washington. Spies had reported the city was poorly defended. Early marched north from Petersburg. By July 10, he was just 10 miles from Fort Stevens.
The Union troops were significantly reduced. Ulysses S. Grant had moved south. He took well-trained troops from Washington to bolster his offensive. Only 9000 troops remained to defend the city.
The Union rushed reinforcements to Fort Stevens. Veteran units arrived just in time. Early probed Fort Stevens but never launched a full-scale attack.
President Abraham Lincoln visited Fort Stevens on July 12. He stood on the parapet to observe the fighting. Confederate sharpshooters opened fire. It marked the only time a sitting president was under direct enemy fire.
Lore says someone shouted. Either Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. or Ms. Thomas yelled. They warned Lincoln to take cover. The words were “Get down, you damn fool”. Or maybe, “Get down, you fool”. Holmes later became a Supreme Court Justice.
Elizabeth Proctor Thomas and her siblings owned the land. The Union Army took their property to build the fort. Lincoln consoled Thomas. He watched her home, barn, and orchard razed. He said, “It is hard, but you shall reap a great reward.” She received compensation in 1916. It was $1835. She died a year later.
Lewis Cass White, a veteran of the Battle of Fort Stevens, led efforts to preserve the fort. He erected a stone memorial. It commemorates the lives lost on July 11th and 12th, 1864.
Today, the National Park Service maintains the site. You can see two Civil War cannons. The fort once housed as many as 19 cannons. Explore the hilly battlements. Imagine the intensity of that day in 1864.
As you leave Fort Stevens, remember its significance. It is more than just a park. It represents resilience and a nation’s struggle. It stands as a reminder of the day a president risked his life. He did it all to defend the Union.