Revolutionary War Fortifications

Fortifications were constructed with the most readily available materials: earth, stone and wood. Forts, redoubts and batteries were normally built with a dry masonry stone foundation topped with some combination of earth, fascines (bundles of sticks) and logs. Forts ...

Outer Fortifications

The Exterior Line of Richmond's Civil War defenses crossed Brook Road near here. Occasional Union cavalry raids threatened from the north, making this portion of the city's elaborate earthen defenses especially significant. Union troops briefly captured this line on three ...

Confederate Fortifications

These northernmost fortifications along Brook Road operated as an early warning system for Confederate troops defending Richmond. Earthworks designed for artillery, located on each side of the road, blocked sudden enemy advances against the capital. A shallow trench line protecting ...

Civil War Fortifications at Virginia Point

Virginia Point, the site of an important railroad bridge which provided the only connection between the Texas mainland and Galveston Island in the mid-19th century, played an integral role in the Confederate defense of Galveston during the Civil War.

A ...

Field Fortifications

The Military Encampment

Pamplin Historical Park has created these replica earthworks to suggest how this area might have looked during the winter of 1864-65. Both armies at Petersburg constructed long lines of field fortifications. Engineer officers used standard manuals in ...

The Confederate Fortifications

The Breakthrough Trail

The earthen wall in front of you is a part of the main Confederate defense line begun in 1864 and defended until April 2, 1865. You are standing behind the line facing southeast towards the Union positions about ...

Outer Fortifications

On the hilltops here

ran the outer line of

Richmond fortifications,

1862-1865.

Marker is at the intersection of Mechanicsville Turnpike (U.S. 360) and Springdale Road, on the right when traveling north on Mechanicsville Turnpike.

Courtesy hmdb.org

Confederate Fortifications

The diary of Edward R. Crockett, 4th Texas Infantry, illustrates the daily pressure of life in these trenches:

June 4th

“We work hard last night & dawn on the 4th have a heavy work completed. We have quit sleeping almost ...

Sheridan Fortifications

In August 1864, Gen. U.S. Grant ordered Gen. Phillip Sheridan to construct earth fortifications on Bolivar Heights. These forts faced northwest to protect against Confederate movements down the Shenandoah Valley to Harpers Ferry. This Sheridan trench is 300 yds. long ...

Fortifications

Rich Mountain Battlefield

These earthworks protected Confederates at Camp Garnett from small arms and artillery fire. Soldiers built them by rolling large logs into place and heaping dirt and rocks from a ditch in front. Trees were felled more than 100 ...