Information Panel: Caponiere

During the 1840s improvements were made to this wall. An outer work was added, called the caponiere.

NPS/ Claire Hassler

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During the 1840s improvements were made to this wall, defensively the weakest part of the fort. The parapet was raised and an outer work, called the caponiere, was added. The protected passageway on your left will lead you to the outerwork that mounted four howitzers in the chamber ahead and two on the upper level. These weapons are no longer here but you will see the tracks they were mounted on. these traverse rails made it easy to position the howitzers for firing.

The small room at the end of the outerwork served as the "sink" or latrine, for the troops.

These 24-pound gowitzers were short range weapons used to protect the imediate area around the fort against land attack.