Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Boston
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From the beginning, Fort Warren’s heart was the six-acre parade ground. When the Civil War broke out soon after the fort was completed, the area was still covered in construction debris. Newly enlisted Massachusetts regiments cleaned it up as they trained. To increase morale, they sang as they worked, eventually coming up with the famous lyrics for “John Brown’s Body.” Since that time the parade ground has been used for drills, inspection, parades and calisthenics, as well as off-duty sports such as baseball and football. The oldest maples and horse chestnuts on the perimeter date back to the 1880s.
From the beginning, Fort Warren’s heart was the six-acre parade ground. When the Civil War broke out soon after the fort was completed, the area was still covered in construction debris. Newly enlisted Massachusetts regiments cleaned it up as they trained. To increase morale, they sang as they worked, eventually coming up with the famous lyrics for “John Brown’s Body.” Since that time the parade ground has been used for drills, inspection, parades and calisthenics, as well as off-duty sports such as baseball and football. The oldest maples and horse chestnuts on the perimeter date back to the 1880s.(Inscription below the photo) Soldiers drill in the early morning on the parade ground during the Second World War. In the background is the fort’s Front II-the northernmost of the five interior walls (visible today on left, continuing right to corner.)
(Forts, Castles • War, US Civil) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
