Fort Duffield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Duffield
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | West Point, Kentucky |
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| Built | 1861 |
| Website | Civil War Fort Duffield |
| NRHP reference No. | 93001584 |
| Added to NRHP | January 31, 1994 |
Fort Duffield is an old Union army fort from the American Civil War. It is located near West Point, Kentucky. The fort was used in 1862. It was later left empty because people thought the war wouldn't reach that area.
Ironically, in 1863, a famous Confederate cavalry leader named John Hunt Morgan rode his troops right past the fort. If the fort had still been active, it might have stopped them!
Contents
Fort Duffield: A Civil War Story
Building a Fort for Protection
During the Civil War, General William Tecumseh Sherman was worried about Confederate army positions. These were in places like Bowling Green and Columbus. To protect Union supplies, he sent soldiers to West Point. These soldiers were from the 37th Indiana and 9th Michigan regiments.
The main idea was to use West Point as a supply base for the Union army. This base would help troops in Elizabethtown. General Sherman ordered a fort to be built on Pearman Hill. This fort would protect the town and the important supply routes.
Quick Construction and Naming
Building Fort Duffield started on November 3, 1861. The soldiers worked very fast. They finished the fort in just two months!
The fort was named after the Reverend George Duffield. He was from Detroit. His son, Colonel William Ward Duffield, led the 9th Michigan Infantry. About 950 soldiers were stationed at the fort at first. However, they were soon sent to fight on the front lines. This meant the fort was mostly empty after 1862. It saw its last use that fall.
What Fort Duffield Looked Like
Most Civil War forts in Kentucky were shaped like stars. But Fort Duffield was different. It was mainly a long, winding wall made of earth. These earthworks, or dirt walls, are still very well-preserved today.
Originally, there was a clear space of about one mile around the fort. This space had no trees. It helped soldiers see enemies coming. But after the fort was left empty, the forest grew back. Now, trees surround the fort once more. Inside the fort, there was also a natural fresh water spring. This spring was important for the soldiers.
Fort Duffield Today: A Place to Explore
In 1995, a group of volunteers started to clear away the overgrown plants at Fort Duffield. They were led by Billy Morris and Dennis Wren. By 1996, the fort was ready to open as a place for visitors.
Exploring the Fort's Trails
In the past, you could take a bus from West Point town up the steep hill to the fort. At the top, there were wooden buildings and an information station. This station showed a map of the fort and its paths.
The full tour used to include wooden walkways. These led to the top where you could see small cabins. There were also tents where people would act out scenes from the Civil War. You could follow a path to a lookout point. From there, you had a clear view of the Ohio River and West Point.
The trail also led past the natural spring that soldiers used during the Civil War. This path would then take you back to the start of the walking tour.
Visiting Now
As of 2021, there are no longer reenactments or bus rides. But you can still hike up the hill. You can follow the trails and paths to see the little cabins. There is a bench at the lookout point where you can sit and enjoy the view. However, it is too dangerous to go near the natural spring now, so that part is closed off.
Volunteers from the West Point Historical Society and the West Point Historical Museum help keep the fort in good shape. These volunteers include Mony Matthews and Chris Lueken.
Other Things to See
There is also a Civil War cemetery on the west side of Fort Hill. It has been updated with new grave markers. The area has been cleared for visitors.
At the bottom of Fort Hill, there is a parking lot. Many biking trails start right from the parking lot. These trails let you enjoy the beautiful area. Also, there is a boat dock and campground to the left of the entrance. This area lets you get into the Salt River.
Images for kids
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Sketch of Fort Duffield in 1861
