Redoubt as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Languageă

  1. A small, often temporary defensive fortification.
  2. A reinforcing earthwork or breastwork within a permanent rampart.
  3. A protected place of refuge or defense.

[French redoute, from Italian ridotto, from Medieval Latin reductus, concealed place, from Latin, past participle of redcere, to withdraw, lead back. See reduce.]

 

Fort Duart was a redoubt type of fortification. Originally dubbed as McLean’s Encampment, the name Duart comes from a castle in Scotland, the home of the McLean family.

 

CASTLE DUART –SCOTLAND

Click on the picture for the Castle Duart website

 

This little lost fort in the woods of Somerset County has a proud history and pedigree.  Although built hastily of earth, Fort Duart served an important function in the building and defense of the Forbes Military highway.

 

The design of the redoubt also was of interest.  Most of us believe that forts were rectangular or square structures and when one first looks at the redoubt, it looks crude and ill constructed. Look at the picture below and note the not so square shape of one wall.

 

 

The flair at the corners were no accident.  The redoubt was built for defense and at each corner may have been a small “swivel gun” artillery piece and the flair prevented “blind spots” for the defenders. Thanks to our guide for that tidbit of knowledge.