Fortifications

There are no remains of this fort, located near today’s River Rd. and Western Ave. NW. It guarded the main route near the Potomac River into Tennallytown and Washington City. Built on land owned by Philip Buckey, the small earthen fort was named for Brigadier General George D. Bayard of the First Pennsylvania Cavalry, mortally wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862.

When the Confederates attacked Washington in July 1864, 100-day men from two regiments of the Ohio National Guard, serving as the fort’s garrison troops, skirmished with rebel cavalry under Brigadier General John McCausland. After observing the defenses at Forts Bayard and Reno, McCausland reported to General Early that the River Road route was too strongly held to be breached successfully. Early decided to shift his attack to the Seventh Street Pike farther east.

Today, the National Park Service maintains a park and playground on the site.  ( Source - Wikipedia )