Fort Pickering (Memphis, Tennessee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Pickering |
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| Memphis, Tennessee | |
 United States (Union) Civil War |
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 Fort Pickering
Fort Pickering
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| Coordinates | 35°07′20″N 90°04′27″W / 35.122104°N 90.074132°W |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Union |
| Site history | |
| Built | Circa 1810 |
| In use | 1862 to 1866 (Civil War service) |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | Strategic Command Post |
Fort Pickering was a military fort built near Memphis, Tennessee during the American Civil War. It was first built by the Confederate States Army, but later taken over by the Union Army. The Union soldiers used it to control the important Mississippi River south of Memphis.
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Fort Pickering's History
The land where Fort Pickering was built has a long history. Long ago, indigenous peoples (native groups) built large earth mounds here. Later, the historic Chickasaw people, led by Chief Chisca, used this area. Today, the fort site is part of Chickasaw Heritage Park.
In 1739, French colonists and soldiers built a fort called Fort Assumption on this same spot.
Civil War Fort Construction
During the American Civil War, the Confederate States Army decided to build Fort Pickering here. They dug into the top of one of the ancient mounds to place their cannons. An ammunition bunker, used to store gunpowder and shells, was dug into the side of the mound.
In June 1862, Union Army forces captured Memphis. They took control of Fort Pickering. The Union army then made the fort much bigger and stronger.
Union Control and Expansion
The newly improved Fort Pickering stretched for almost two miles. It ran along the bluffs (cliffs) of south Memphis. This area went from what is now Chickasaw Heritage Park all the way to Beale Street.
The fort was equipped with 55 cannons. It also had many buildings needed to support the large number of troops. These buildings included a hospital, a train station, a water supply system, and a sawmill. The old Indian mounds were made hollow, and more cannons were placed inside. Ammunition bunkers were also dug into the sides of the mounds.
Even though it was a strong fort, Fort Pickering was never directly attacked. Union forces held Memphis for the entire war. The fort became a very important base for the Union army. It was especially crucial during the Vicksburg Campaign, a major battle to control the Mississippi River.
What Remains Today
After the Civil War ended, Fort Pickering was taken down in 1866. For many years, people in Memphis forgot about the fort.
In 2007, archaeologists became interested in finding out if any parts of the fort still existed. They dug trenches and found some interesting things. They discovered two cisterns (underground water tanks) and brick foundations. Most importantly, they found proof of the fort's defensive wall (parapet) and ditch.
Further digging found very few actual Civil War items. This showed that the demolition in 1866 was very thorough. Most of the items found were from an earlier time, when the area was a residential part of young Memphis.
