Shortly after the occupation of
Nashville by the
Union forces in February, 1862,
General Morton, of the U. S. Corps of Engineers, began work on its fortifications.
Around the
capitol were built earth parapets and stockades, and enough room was provided to mount fifteen guns.
The strong, massive structure, plentifully supplied with water, could easily accommodate a regiment of infantry — enough in such a citadel to hold an entire army at bay. This, however, was but a part of the entire line of defenses he planned.
He was intending to fortify
Morton and Houston Hills, and a third on which
Fort Negley was actually constructed.
The pictures show the city which the works were built to defend, but which
Morton was prepared to leave to the enemy if forced to retreat within his lines.
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A state house stockaded |
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The stockade and the parapet |
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