Fort Granger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Granger
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Fort Granger's earthworks
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | 113 Fort Granger Franklin, TN 37065 Franklin, Tennessee |
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| Area | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Built | 1862 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001858 |
| Added to NRHP | January 8, 1973 |
Fort Granger was a Union fort built in 1862. It was located in Franklin, Tennessee, south of Nashville, Tennessee. The Union Army built it during the American Civil War. They used it to protect their positions in Middle Tennessee. The fort helped defend against Confederate attacks. The most famous event here was the Second Battle of Franklin in 1864. This battle was a big part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign.
Today, you can still see parts of Fort Granger. Its remaining earthworks are kept safe in a city park in Franklin. Fort Granger is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can visit the site using a trail from Pinkerton Park. The park has a boardwalk that gives you a view of the Harpeth River. It also goes through part of the old fort.
Contents
Fort Granger's Story: A Civil War Stronghold
Building the Fort: How It Began
Union Army Takes Control
The Union Army captured Nashville, Tennessee early in 1862. Soon after, Union troops led by Major General Gordon Granger moved into Franklin. The Union Army was worried about local unrest. They also feared Confederate guerrillas, who were like small groups of fighters.
So, they decided to build a strong artillery position. This fort would protect the nearby railroad line to Nashville. Building Fort Granger started in 1863. It was named after Major General Gordon Granger. Captain W. E. Morrill was in charge of its construction.
Choosing the Best Spot
Fort Granger was built on Figuer's Bluff. This spot was north of the Harpeth River. It was also right next to the railroad leading to Nashville. Building the fort on the bluff was a smart military move. It gave the Union forces control over the Harpeth River bridge. This bridge was part of the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad. The fort also controlled the roads leading into Franklin from both the north and south.
Inside the Fort: What It Looked Like
When finished, Fort Granger covered a large area. It was almost 275,000 square feet. The fort was about 781 feet long and 346 feet wide. Its main entrance was called the "sally port."
The strongest part of the fort was called "The Cavalier." This was the highest point inside the fort. It was like a "fort within a fort." It was designed for defenders to make a final stand if attackers broke through. The Cavalier was perfect for cannons. It offered the best view of the land around the fort.
Who Built Fort Granger?
Union troops helped build Fort Granger. Some refugee contraband slaves also worked on its construction. These were enslaved people who had escaped to Union lines.
A soldier named James L. Rogers wrote a letter in 1863. He listed some of the Union army units that built the fort. He mentioned that many soldiers spent their time working on the fortifications. They also went on scouting missions.
Early Days at the Fort
At first, the Union forces in Franklin felt safe. Fort Granger had only a small group of soldiers. In June 1863, Union troops captured and punished two Confederate spies. The fort's cannons were used twice in 1863. They fired at Confederate cavalry forces.
Fort Granger's Role in the Battle of Franklin
The Second Battle of Franklin
Fort Granger became very important during the Second Battle of Franklin. This battle happened in 1864. Confederate General John Bell Hood led his Army of Tennessee north. He wanted to attack Union General William T. Sherman's supply lines. Sherman had just defeated Hood at Atlanta.
The Fort's Impact on the Battle
On November 30, 1864, Confederate General John Bell Hood's army attacked. They fought Union General John M. Schofield's troops. The battle was very fierce. It lasted for five hours. There was a lot of hand-to-hand fighting and cannon fire. About 10,000 soldiers were killed or wounded on both sides.
Union General Schofield commanded his forces from inside Fort Granger. From there, he had a great view of the battlefield. He also ordered his men to build temporary bridges. These bridges crossed the Harpeth River. This allowed supply wagons and troops to move to Nashville after the battle.
Cannons Fire from Fort Granger
Fort Granger's cannons fired on the Confederate attackers. This was called "enfilading fire." It meant the cannons fired along the length of the Confederate lines. Four 3-inch cannons in Fort Granger were fired by Captain Giles J. Cockerill. He was from Battery D, 1st Ohio Light Artillery.
Captain Cockerill's guns fired 163 rounds. The Confederates suffered many casualties from these shots. The right side of the Confederate line was hit hardest. This was General A. P. Stewart's corps. The land around Fort Granger made its fire even more deadly. As General Stewart's men advanced, the Harpeth River blocked their right side. This made them easy targets.
Some Confederate regiments, like the 35th Alabama and 12th Louisiana, lost many soldiers. General Stewart's Corps suffered almost 3,000 casualties during the battle.
A Soldier's View
A Union Lieutenant named Frederick W. Fout described the battle from the fort. He said, "From our post at Fort Granger, we could see every troop and every gun in our line. This was true as long as it was day and the smoke allowed it." He added, "After sundown, the sparks of rifle fire and the lightning, thunder and groaning of the heavy cannons was splendid and awe-inspiring."
Fort Granger Today: A Historical Site
In 1973, a 20-acre (8.1 ha) area of Fort Granger was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This area included some original structures and the site itself. Today, the site has several signs. These signs tell the story of the fort's history. They explain how it was built and used.
Gallery
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View of fort site from the bottom of the trail
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Fort Granger earthworks
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View of earthworks and observation deck
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View of trail leading up to fort
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Center of the Fort Granger site
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