Fort Preble, Portland, Maine-- Part 2

Fort Preble was a star-shaped fort made of stone, brick and sod and mounted 14 heavy cannons.

It was built to accompany Fort Scammell on House Island to protect Portland in case the United States got drawn into the Napoleonic Wars.

In 1808, Sec, of War Dearborn ordered the regiment of Light Artillery to occupy the fort and enforce the U.S. Embargo Act which was a move to hurt France and England for their actions against U.S. shipping.

Various units manned the fort during the War of 1812 including the Regiment of Light Artillery, the 21st, 33rd and 34th Regiments of U.S. Infantry and the U.S. volunteers.  In times of crisis, local militia was also called out.

When Winfield Scott and other Americans were released from prison in Quebec, they landed at Fort Preble.  Many were starving and ill and some died at the post hospital.

Two new batteries were added around 1845.

From 1848-1849 and 1851-1853, Fort Preble was commanded by Captain Robert Anderson who gained much recognition at the start of the Civil War with his defense of Fort Sumter.

I will write about the fort's Civil War and subsequent service in my naval Civil War blog.

--Brock-Perry