Fort Defiance, Tennessee
Encyclopedia
In November 1861, Confederate troops
began to build a defensive fort that would control the river approach to Clarksville, Tennessee
. They mounted three guns in the fort. On February 19, 1862, Federal
gunboats came up the river from Fort Donelson
and reported the fort displayed a white flag and was deserted. The Federals took over the fort and enlarged it so that it would control traffic on the Hopkinsville (Kentucky)
Pike. Clarksville was left with a small garrison of Union troops. In April 1862, this small garrison was made up of the 71st Ohio Volunteers commanded by Col. Rodney Mason.
During July and August 1862, there was an increase in guerrilla activity around Clarksville. On August 18, 1862, Clarksville was recaptured by Confederate Cavalry. Col. Mason was cashiered for surrendering Clarksville so easily. Union soldiers were sent from Fort Donelson to retake Clarksville in September 1862. Skirmishes were fought at New Providence on September 6, 1862 and at Riggins Hill on September 7, 1862. The town and fort were reoccupied by Federal troops who remained for the rest of the war. Col. Bruce was placed in command at Clarksville and Fort Defiance was renamed Fort Bruce.
At one point in time, Fort Defiance was also referred to as Fort Sevier.
The four acre Fort Defiance park features earthen fort and walking trails. It is located at 120 A Street, Clarksville,Tennessee. The city of Clarksville is building a new $2 million Fort Defiance Interpretive Center which is expected to open in time for the 150th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War
in 2011. The Fort has been owned by the City of Clarksville since the mid 1980s when it was donated to the city by retired Judge Sam Boaz who had owned and preserved the site for sometime.
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
began to build a defensive fort that would control the river approach to Clarksville, Tennessee
Clarksville, Tennessee
Clarksville is a city in and the county seat of Montgomery County, Tennessee, United States, and the fifth largest city in the state. The population was 132,929 in 2010 United States Census...
. They mounted three guns in the fort. On February 19, 1862, Federal
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
gunboats came up the river from Fort Donelson
Fort Donelson
Fort Donelson was a fortress built by the Confederacy during the American Civil War to control the Cumberland River leading to the heart of Tennessee, and the heart of the Confederacy.-History:...
and reported the fort displayed a white flag and was deserted. The Federals took over the fort and enlarged it so that it would control traffic on the Hopkinsville (Kentucky)
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Hopkinsville is a city in Christian County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 31,577 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Christian County.- History :...
Pike. Clarksville was left with a small garrison of Union troops. In April 1862, this small garrison was made up of the 71st Ohio Volunteers commanded by Col. Rodney Mason.
During July and August 1862, there was an increase in guerrilla activity around Clarksville. On August 18, 1862, Clarksville was recaptured by Confederate Cavalry. Col. Mason was cashiered for surrendering Clarksville so easily. Union soldiers were sent from Fort Donelson to retake Clarksville in September 1862. Skirmishes were fought at New Providence on September 6, 1862 and at Riggins Hill on September 7, 1862. The town and fort were reoccupied by Federal troops who remained for the rest of the war. Col. Bruce was placed in command at Clarksville and Fort Defiance was renamed Fort Bruce.
At one point in time, Fort Defiance was also referred to as Fort Sevier.
The four acre Fort Defiance park features earthen fort and walking trails. It is located at 120 A Street, Clarksville,Tennessee. The city of Clarksville is building a new $2 million Fort Defiance Interpretive Center which is expected to open in time for the 150th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
in 2011. The Fort has been owned by the City of Clarksville since the mid 1980s when it was donated to the city by retired Judge Sam Boaz who had owned and preserved the site for sometime.
See also
- List of international forts
- History of TennesseeHistory of TennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state, one of the 50 states of the United States. It was admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796.-Prehistory:Paleo-Indians are believed to have hunted and camped in what is now Tennessee as early as 12,000 years ago...
- List of archaeological sites in Tennessee
- Tennessee in the American Civil War