Mr. Lincoln's Forts ─ A Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington

During the Civil War, Washington, D.C. was protected by a complex of 68 enclosed earthen forts, 93 supplemental batteries, miles of military roads, and support structures for the essential military and civilian labor force. This illustrated, coffee-table-sized (8.5x11") book offers a historical reference and tour guide to this Civil War defense complex, with notes on touring the forts, how to visit, and what to look for. Appendices offer an engineering glossary, selected ordinance statistics, information on communications, and regulations for the care of fieldworks. The book is illustrated with numerous b&w historical photos, drawings, and plans, and b&w contemporary photos of fort locations. Cooling is a Civil War historian. Owen is assistant director and curator at the Fort Ward Museum, one of the sites discussed in the book. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Benjamin Franklin Cooling III is a well-known Civil War historian who has authored many publications in that field, as well as in military and naval history.

Walton H. Owen II is the assistant director and curator at the Fort Ward Museum, one of the most significant of the sites discussed in this book. He has served as the historic site administrator at Fort C.F. Smith Park & Historic Site, Arlington, VA and as the National Archives' Museum Specialist on the staff of the Nixon Presidential Materials Staff.