00559 - Officers and men, 3d Regiment,; Mass. Heavy Artillery, Fort Totten, DC [LC-DIG-cwpb-00559]
Washington D.C. was in danger! In 1861 both sides thought the war would be over soon and that they would be victorious. So confident was the North that, during the 1st Battle of Bull Run, (aka 1st Manassas) the Washington elite traveled the 25 miles to watch the Union victory. When they lost (and badly,) it was realized that there was little protection for the capitol, less than a days ride away. Fort Totten was built (along with more than 60 other forts) to help defend the city.
Today the fort is preserved by the National Park Service. There is also a neighborhood and metro station that bear the name of Fort Totten.
![00559 - Officers and men, 3d Regiment,; Mass. Heavy Artillery, Fort Totten, DC [LC-DIG-cwpb-00559]](/img/s/v-10/p1069080849-3.jpg)