In 1800, Fort McHenry was one of the last forts to be built as part of what is known as the "First System". These were forts built between 1793 and 1802 under a combined unit of "Artillerists and Engineers". In 1807 over new concerns of war with Great Britain, President Thomas Jefferson renewed the fortification programs, and built what is known as the "Second System". In 1816, after the War of 1812, James Madison urged Congress to begin what is now known as the "Third System". In his 1815 Annual address, Madison stated that the "character of the times particularly inculcates the lesson that, whether to prevent or repel danger, we ought not to be unprepared for it". In other words, we have learned over and over again, that peace comes through strength. That is, to be prepared for danger is to prevent it. And with this, Madison recommended to Congress that they go all-out and fund an immediate extension and gradual completion of the seacoast defense system.
"Notwithstanding the security for future repose which the United States ought to find in their love of peace and their constant respect for the rights of other nations, the character of the times particularly inculcates the lesson that, whether to prevent or repel danger, we ought not to be unprepared for it. This consideration will sufficiently recommend to Congress a liberal provision for the immediate extension and gradual completion of the works of defense, both fixed and floating, on our maritime frontier, and an adequate provision for guarding our inland frontier against dangers to which certain portions of it may continue to be exposed."
Congress responded by appropriating over $800,000 for a very ambitious seacoast defensive system. President Madison then appointed a Board of Engineers to visit potential sites and prepare plans for the new forts. The report which was finished in 1821 suggested 50 sites, and by 1850 was expanded to include nearly 200 sites for fortification. In the end, only 42 of these sites actually had forts built on them. The first system consisted of walls laid out at angles, forming a system of defense walls in the formation of a star. The second system utilized covered casemates (small rooms for guns) stacked in high walls allowing more shots at the passing enemy ships. Most third system forts were built with at least two tiers of cannons, while the first and second system had only one tier. These were often large structures with many guns concentrated in tall, thick masonry walls.
"Train of Execution"
Three years later, President James Madison reported on the status of the seacoast defensive system, saying the work is in a "train of execution". Surveys of both the maritime and inland frontiers were continuing and the locations to erect the fortifications have were currently under consideration. In a few places, construction has already begun, and the President promised Congress that the full plan would be laid before them as soon as it could be prepared."The measures of defense authorized by existing laws have been pursued with the zeal and activity due to so important an object, and with all the dispatch practicable in so extensive and great an undertaking. The survey of our maritime and inland frontiers has been continued, and at the points where it was decided to erect fortifications the work has been commenced, and in some instances considerable progress has been made. In compliance with resolutions of the last session, the Board of Commissioners were directed to examine in a particular manner the parts of the coast therein designated and to report their opinion of the most suitable sites for two naval depots. This work is in a train of execution. The opinion of the Board on this subject, with a plan of all the works necessary to a general system of defense so far as it has been formed, will be laid before Congress in a report from the proper department as soon as it can be prepared"
Fort Pike
One of the first forts to be built was Fort Pike near New Orleans, Louisiana. The fort was constructed between 1819 and 1826 and designed by Simon Bernard, a French general of engineers who was kicked out of France when Napoleon came to power. The fort was named after the American hero Zebulon Pike who was sent out by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the south and west regions regions of the Louisiana purchase and sighted Pikes Peak in Colorado. The fort was positioned on Lake Pontchartrain which without fortification would allow an attacker an easy pass to New Orleans. During the Second Seminole War which began in 1835, Fort Pike was used a staging area for troops being sent to Florida. It was again used, during the Mexican-American war as a staging area for troops on their way into Mexico. During the civil war, the Fort became for the Union, a base of operations for raids along the Gulf coast.Fort Pike, never experienced any bombardment from enemy guns in it's almost 200 years of existence, but in 2005 Hurricane Katrina completely submerged Fort Pike, and then again in 2009 it was damaged by hurricanes Gustav, and Isaac the Fort. The fort had to be closed, and as of 2015 structural repairs were still being performed. And, if that weren't enough Fort Pike was closed in February of 2015 due to state budget cuts.
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29457
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29460
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seacoast_defense_in_the_United_States
http://www.starforts.com/pike.html#macomb
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_expedition
http://www.fortwiki.com/Third_System
http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_86ed75a9-8017-5085-a397-b3dfcf4bb44a.html
http://www.starforts.com/gr/pike/pikecitadel.jpg
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