Fort Randolph (Pineville, Louisiana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Randolph
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 Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off U.S. 165, Pineville, Louisiana |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1864 |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000300 |
| Added to NRHP | June 01, 1981 |
Fort Randolph was a special defense built during the American Civil War in late 1864. Confederate soldiers created it to protect against a possible third attack by Union forces in Louisiana's Red River Valley. The fort was named after Captain Christopher M. Randolph, who was in charge of building it.
Contents
Why Fort Randolph Was Built
After a big fight called the Red River Campaign in 1864, a Confederate general named Edmund Kirby Smith realized something important. He was the leader of the Confederate forces in the Trans-Mississippi Department, which included states west of the Mississippi River.
Protecting the Red River
General Smith understood that they needed strong forts along the Red River. These forts would stop Union navy ships from sailing further up the river past a city called Alexandria, Louisiana. Fort Randolph was one of these important defenses.
What Fort Randolph Looked Like
Fort Randolph was designed with several protective features. It had an outer ditch and a central dirt fortress, called an earthen citadel. Inside, there were places for cannons, a storage area for ammunition (called a magazine), and safe spots for soldiers (called bombproof shelters).
Building the Fort
Experts believe Fort Randolph held about 4 to 8 cannons. It was built right next to another fort, Fort Buhlow, which was just north of it. The fort was placed on a hill that looked over fast-moving parts of the Red River, known as "rapides." It also overlooked the remains of Bailey's Dam, which had been built earlier in 1864.
Many people helped build Fort Randolph. Free Black people and enslaved people were required to provide labor. Confederate soldiers also worked on the construction. Everyone worked hard to finish the fort before the fighting season began in the spring of 1865.
Fort Randolph's Role in the War
Even though it was built for battle, Fort Randolph never saw any fighting during the Civil War. The war ended, and the fort was given over to Union forces on June 3, 1865.
Remembering Fort Randolph
Years after the war, people wanted to remember the history of Fort Randolph.
Honoring History
In October 1927, a group called the United Daughters of the Confederacy held a special event. They placed markers at both Fort Randolph and Fort Buhlow to honor their history.
A Historic Landmark
Fort Randolph was recognized as an important historical place on June 1, 1981. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which is a list of places in the United States that are worth preserving.
Part of a State Site
In November 2010, Fort Randolph became part of a larger area called the Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site. This site helps people learn about the history of both forts and the Civil War in Louisiana.
