Map of Fort Ward
Map of Fort WardNineteenth-century field fortifications such as Fort Ward were constructed in forms from simple one-sided works to bastion forts, in which angled points extended out from a common wall. Due to the time and labor required to build bastion forts, this design was reserved for sites considered to be of great importance.
Fort Ward, a bastion fort, was built in the shape of an elongated five-pointed star. Each of its five bastions held emplacements" for 4-6 guns (cannon) which were arranged along the angular walls to create a formidable cross-fire to the front of the fort. Other gun emplacements were positioned to cover an adjacent bastion or wall.
To explore Fort Ward, click on the area of the fort you wish to visit. Remember - words that are italicized and underlined can be found in the Glossary of Military Terms.
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