A Small City In The Civil War - Ft. Defiance, Clarksville, TN

Another one of our Civil War stops during Bro 1's visit was at Ft. Defiance.  Himself and I had not visited since it was fixed up and an interpretive center was built.  " The four-acre Fort Defiance park features earthen fort and walking trails. The city of Clarksville dedicated a new $2 million Fort Defiance Interpretive Center in 2011 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 some time."  

"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."   (Wiki)

Here's an interesting bit of information in the museum.

It was SO hot that day that we didn't walk on the trails.  

  

But our visit to the center was nice.

There was information on how the fort was made...

...and a diorama of how it looked.

The museum is nicely laid out.  Each of the figures along the wall tells a bit when you push a button.

This one has about four different speakers who read from diaries and letters.

The park is quite active with lecture series, special events, and reenactments.  We will definitely be back in cooler weather.