This cache is located very close to the location of Battery Rodgers.
The area around Jones Point, which lies just south of the nation's capital, was an obvious location for early defensive fortifications. During the Civil War (1861-1865), Battery Rodgers was built overlooking the cove to guard the river approach to Washington. The battery also commanded the southern approaches to Alexandria by covering the Accotink Road (modern Fort Hunt Road). Though no visible remains of Battery Rodgers exist today, the complex once included the fortification, barracks, hospital and a slaughterhouse built especially to feed troops in Alexandria.
Battery Rodgers was powerfully equipped with five 200-pound Parrott rifles and one 15-inch Rodman gun, but no shots- or men- were ever fired on enemy ships by its guns. In 1911, the cove was filled in by the Army Corps of Engineers, creating 46.5 acres of new land.
An historical marker was placed a block away a number of years ago, but is not the correct location of the Battery.
Location of the Battery - Corner of Jefferson and Lee (formally Water) Streets:
Location Today:
Arial View - Earthworks can be seen just right and above center, next to the church:
