almost every one of the forts in the long Federal line was named after some gallant officer who had lost his life in action.
They might have been termed the memorial forts.
The almost circular entrenchment, strengthened by logs and sandbags and defended by the formidable abatis of tree trunks, was named after
Lieutenant-Colonel George W. Meikle, of the Twentieth Indiana Volunteers.
From the position shown we are looking directly into
Petersburg.
Military observers have conceded that the fortifications surrounding
Petersburg were the most remarkable of any in the world.
Before the end of October, 1864, the Army of the Potomac occupied a formidable cordon of defenses that stretched for more than thirty-two miles, and comprised thirty-six forts and fifty batteries.
For years succeeding the war excursions were run from New York and from all parts of the country to this historic ground.
It took three days to complete the tour.
Then most of the forts were in the condition in which we see them pictured here.
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A position of complete defense, Fort Meikle |
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Fort rice, as the Confederates saw it |
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