Fort DeRussy (Louisiana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort DeRussy |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Marksville, Louisiana |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 31°10′35″N 92°03′39″W / 31.17629°N 92.06086°W |
| Construction started | 1862 |
| Completed | 1862 |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Earthen |
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Fort DeRussy
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| Location | 379 Fort DeRussy Road |
| Nearest city | Marksville |
| Area | 74 acres (30 ha) |
| Built | 1862 |
| NRHP reference No. | 16000669 |
| Added to NRHP | September 23, 2016 |
Fort DeRussy was a strong fort built by the Confederate army during the American Civil War. It was made of earth and was located in Louisiana, near Marksville. The fort was built in 1862 to protect the lower Red River area.
Today, Fort DeRussy, its cemetery, and water batteries are a state historic site. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.
The fort was named after Colonel Lewis G. DeRussy. He was the oldest graduate from West Point Academy to serve in the Confederate Army. DeRussy was born in New York City in 1795. His family came from France.
He studied at West Point Academy. He became an officer and engineer in the U.S. Army. He first lived in Louisiana in 1826 and stayed there for almost 40 years.
Colonel DeRussy's Life
Before the Civil War, DeRussy was a well-known engineer. He also owned a cotton plantation. In the 1850s, he served in the state government. He was part of both the state house and the state senate.
When the American Civil War began, he rejoined the military. He became an engineering officer for the Confederacy. He was in charge of building the first defenses at Fort DeRussy.
Colonel DeRussy passed away in December 1864. He died at his plantation home from a heart attack. Years later, in 1999, his remains were moved. They were reburied on the grounds of Fort DeRussy.
Battles at Fort DeRussy
Fort DeRussy saw action during the Civil War. On May 5, 1863, a part of Rear Admiral David D. Porter's fleet captured the fort. Some areas of the fort were destroyed on May 9, 1863. This was done by the USS Benton ship.
Later, on March 14, 1864, the remaining soldiers at the fort surrendered. They gave up to the Union Army. This Union force was led by General A. J. Smith.
Preserving the Fort
The land where Fort DeRussy stands was given to the City of Marksville. This helped the city get a grant to improve the site. The goal was for the site to become part of the State Parks system.
A group called the Friends of Fort DeRussy helped manage these improvements. More land was bought and donated to the city. This allowed the state to accept the fort and its surrounding land as a historic site.
Images for kids
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Plan showing the defenses of Fort DeRussy
