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TALES OF OLD FORT MONROE NO.5 IS IT A FORT OR A FORTRESS? Why is Fort Monroe often called Fortress Monroe? What is the difference between a fort and a fortress? These questions are asked over and over. To answer the first question we must delve into history. Fort Monroe was designed by Brigadier General Simon Bernard, noted French military engineer and former aide to the Emperor Napoleon I. Construction was begun m 1819 and virtually completed in 1834. At first it was called Fortress Monroe. Then on February 1, 1832, the following order was issued: It is the order of the Secretary of War that the work at Old Point Comfort be called Fort Monroe, and not Fortress Monroe." But the name "Fortress Monroe" was not so easily vanquished. During the Civil War, it was the name used by the newspaper correspondents. The New York Herald and other newspapers had a regular column headed, "News from Fortress Monroe." The term ‘‘Fortress Monroe even crept back into some of the military orders. For instance, of two orders issued by Major General John E. Wool in March 1862, on the same day, one was dated at "Fort Monroe" and the other at "Fortress Monroe." New life was given to the old name when, in 1880, the Post Office Department changed the name of its office from Old Point Comfort to Fortress Monroe. In 1885 Senator William Mahone, doubtless acting for some of his constituents, attempted to get the name changed back to Old Point Comfort. The military authorities objected to this change and pointed out that the correct name of the fortification was Fort Monroe, not Fortress Monroe. As a result, no change whatsoever was made.The office continued to be known as Fortress Monroe until November 15, 1941, when the Post Office Department put an end to the confusion by changing the name to Fort Monroe to agree with the official name of the fort. So it is not surprising that the fort is often called Fortress Monroe to this very day. Quite apart from all this, many people say that they like the word Fortress, that it sounds better to them. This preference no doubt derives from their recollection of figures of speech in the Bible and in literature: "The Lord is my rock, and m1y fortress, and my deliverer." 2 Samuel XXI 2. "This fortress built by Nature for herself." Shakespeare, King Richard II. And now to answer the second question: What is the difference between a fort and a fortress? A fort is a fortification containing a garrison (body of troops). A fortress is a fortification enclosing a town within its walls. This latter type of fortification was quite common in Europe and was brought to its highest development by Marshal Sebastien Vauban in the time of Louis XIV. The city of Luxembourg, capital of the country of the same name, is an excellent example of a fortress. In World War I days, the term fortress was applied to .a town defended by a series of detached forts distributed around it. Such was the Fortress of Verdun whose heroic defense in 1916 was epitomized by the words, "On ne passe pas!" Fort Monroe is very large. Its area, including the moat, is sixty-three acres. Even in this modern age accustomed to bigness, visitors to the fort are overwhelmed by its vast size. Perhaps this is why it was called Fortress Monroe during the first y ears of its existence. However, the fortress not enclose and never has enclosed a town. The vanished village of Old Point Comfort was outside the wails of the fort. It is therefore obvious that Fort Monroe is, according to the definitions given above, a fort and not a fortress. And that is why the War Department has ever since 1832 insisted that the fortification on Old Point Comfort be called Fort Monroe and not Fortress Monroe. Printed by The Casemate Museum [BACK] |