Battery Meigs at Fort Washington Park

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See the Artillery Batteries web page for an interactive location map.

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Constructed from 1898 to 1902, Battery Meigs was armed with eight 12-inch rifled mortars, making it the only mortar battery at Fort Washington. Mortars could be shot nearly vertical into the air so the shells either came down onto the lightly protected decks of ships or exploded in the air, sending shrapnel down upon the enemy. Because they did not need to be installed in an elevated position, mortars were located in ground-level pits surrounded by high walls that they could shoot over. Battery Meigs had two pits, each with four mortars installed. The battery was completely covered with earth to hide it from the enemy, and since the guns could not be seen, it was difficult to pinpoint the location from where the shells were coming.

12-Inch mortars in a mortar battery pit similar to those at Battery Meigs

Battery Meigs was named for Brevet Major General Montgomery C. Meigs, the Quartermaster General for the U. S. Army from 1861 to 1882. The battery remained in service until 1915. There is a wayside exhibit out front telling the history of the structure.

Located at the end of one of the road in Fort Washington Park, Battery Meigs is easily accessible but off-limits to the public. The mortar pits are now used as storage facilities for the park. Barrels and even old Civil War cannon are locked up behind a fence.

Mortar pit at Battery Meigs, Fort Washington Park

All entrances are sealed with steel doors, though one has been torn open. Can you image that? The door is completely exposed to anyone driving by—police, park Rangers, other visitors—yet it was still torn open.

Steel doors.

Broad daylight.

For everyone to see.

People will put more effort into tearing down these doors than they will in going to work just so they can see what is inside. A posted sign warns to keep out, so I did not enter.

Busted door at Battery Meigs, Fort Washington Park

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