Artifacts in the Attic: An Unusual Cache at Fort Washington Park

Fort Washington's enlisted men's barracks.

NPS

During the Civil War, men in the Enslisted Men’s Barracks at Fort Washington lived in the attic due to overcrowding. A cache of objects found in the attic provides insight on everyday life at the fort during and after the Civil War. Archeologists drew on their expertise of mid-19th century material culture to identify and interpret the objects.

The Enlisted Men’s Barracks were completed in 1824. Unlike Officers Quarters, which had interior stairwells, exterior stairs connected the upper and lower floors of the two story building. Originally the barracks was built to house only 60 soldiers. Fort Washington was re-activated at the beginning of the Civil War when the southern states seceded from the Union. Confederate troops seized many the Federal forts and arsenals in those states. Fort Washington faced the same danger. It was located in Maryland – a slave state with a large secessionist following -- and the only fort providing defense to the national capital at this time.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, more troops came to Fort Washington than it could house comfortably. Once the Union asserted control, troops arrived at Fort Washington in January 1861. In 1861, the fort had 280 enlisted men at the post, which included Company D, 1st United States Artillery, and two companies of recruits, the Logan Guards, and the Washington Artillerists. In June 1862, there were 272 enlisted men; in March 1863, 146 enlisted men; in May 1864, 146 enlisted men; and in July 1865, 142 enlisted men.

Cache of bottles, shoe parts, and oyster shells found behind a wall in the barracks attic.

NPS

A Cache in the Attic

During the over-crowded time of the Civil War or immediately after, a portion of the attic had been lathed and plastered, indicating that the space may have been used as living quarters. Behind a low wall, under the eaves, NPS archeologists found miscellaneous bottles and bottle fragments, cans, oyster shells, one lead ball from canister shot, and shoes and shoe fragments.

Most of the bottles found were fragments, but several were whole. The contents of the intact bottles were alcohol and medicine. Based on the shape and size of blacking bottles from that time period, one bottle may have had shoe polish. Research shows that sutlers (peddlers) that visited the fort during the Civil War did sell shoe polish.

The presence of alcohol bottles suggests that alcohol may have been consumed and concealed from commanding officers at the fort. Research has found that sutlers during the Civil War sold beer. After the war, at least one sutler at the fort sold selling ale. At this point, it is hard to tell which bottles held beer and which held ale.

Soldiers on the post could have received medicine from doctors treating an illness. They could have also purchased patent medicines. One of the bottles found in the barracks at Fort Washington had fragments of a label that had the word “cures” that might have been patent medicine. Patent medicines were not effective, but did contain alcohol. Soldiers could get alcohol by purchasing patent medicine if beer and ale were not available from the sutler. These products also had extracts from opium, and morphine.

One of the recovered cans was used to pack sardines. A gold label was still soldered on the side. The label said “Burguin sardines, Port Louis Morihan.” Research suggests that the sardines were packed in Port Louis, Moribhan, France. The sardine can reminds us that, even during the Civil War, international trade with European countries continued, both in foodstuffs and in munitions.

A total of 22 shoe fragments were found. Most of the fragments were soles. A few were a little more complete. One heel had extra nails, indicating possible repair work. Perhaps the missing portions of the shoes were re-purposed to repair others. Three of the fragments were, demonstrably, from women’s shoes. Two of the shoes were mostly the bottom soles, and the other one was almost a complete boot.

The presence of women’s shoes raises interesting questions. While married officers were allowed to have their wives stay with them in the Officer’s Quarters, barracks for married enlisted men did not accommodate women, especially during the Civil War. The wives of enlisted men stayed outside the fort. How did the women’s shoes get there? Did the wife of an enlisted man sneak in with help from guards at the front gate? Did an enterprising cobbler among the enlisted men set up a business in the cramped space of the attic?

Portrait on attic ceiling of Fort Washington barracks.

NPS

Soldiers have always found ways to entertain themselves when not on duty. Reading, drawing, or playing games were options, as evident by the handmade checkerboard found between two studs. On a nearby ceiling was a portrait of a man. The portrait looks like it was done with soot from a candle.

Checkerboard found between wall studs.

NPS

Another interesting find was an iron ball from canister shot. The iron ball would have been placed into a canister with other iron balls, sometimes packed in sawdust. Once this round was fired from the cannon, the canister would break apart and the individual balls would be released, causing extensive casualties to an approaching enemy force. Might this item have been used in a game?

While it is risky to make conclusions based on these few items, they do raise questions whose answers must wait for further research. More detailed study will, no doubt, provide further avenues for contemplation.