Fort de Russy

Did the earth tremble beneath their feet? Here at Fort DeRussy, imagine the rumble of cannon fire. Fort DeRussy wasn’t just a pile of dirt and timber. It was a vital cog in the Civil War defenses of Washington D.C. Built in 1861 by the 4th New York Heavy Artillery, Fort DeRussy stood guard on this hilltop overlooking Rock Creek. The fort’s namesake, either Gustavus A. DeRussy or his father René Edward DeRussy, lent their name to this trapezoidal earthwork. Picture it: 190 yards of earthen walls, bristling with 13 cannons. Supporting rifle pits and tangled abatis in the creek bed below added further protection. Fort DeRussy’s moment of glory arrived during the Battle of Fort Stevens in July 1864. The fort’s 100-pounder Parrott rifle roared to life, unleashing 32 devastating rounds upon the Confederate forces. That powerful cannon, with its reach extending almost to Silver Spring, Maryland, played a crucial role in repelling the Confederate advance. Today, the remnants of Fort DeRussy are quiet. The parapet and dry moat remain remarkably preserved, silent witnesses to the past. Even traces of the powder magazines and infantry trenches can still be found. The wooded site, now part of Rock Creek Park, offers a peaceful retreat. Yet, if you listen closely, perhaps you can still hear the echoes of those thunderous cannons that once protected the nation’s capital. Fort DeRussy stands as a testament to a turbulent chapter in American history, a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices made to preserve the Union.