Fort Randolph (Tennessee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Randolph |
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| Randolph, Tipton County, Tennessee | |
Union fleet passing Fort Randolph (1865)
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 Fort Randolph
Location of Fort Randolph in the state of Tennessee
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| Coordinates | 35°30′30″N 89°54′24″W / 35.5083°N 89.9067°W |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Destroyed |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1861 |
| Built by | Confederate States Army |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders |
Lieutenant Colonel Jesse A. Forrest |
Fort Randolph was a strong fort built by the Confederate Army in 1861. This happened during the Civil War. It was located in Randolph, Tipton County, Tennessee. The fort stood on a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.
Contents
History of Fort Randolph
Building a Stronghold
By June 1861, the first Confederate fort in the Randolph area, called Fort Wright, was almost finished. Fort Randolph was the second Confederate fort built here. It was constructed just a few months later, in the fall of 1861.
The fort was placed on the Mississippi River bluffs. These bluffs were about 1 mile (1.6 km) southwest of Fort Wright. In March 1862, a newspaper called The New York Times described Fort Randolph. It said the fort was a "rough and incomplete earthwork." This meant it was a basic fort made of dirt. It was built on the Second Chickasaw Bluff, more than 100 feet (30 meters) above the river.
Why Fort Randolph Was Important
The location of Fort Randolph was very good. From the fort, soldiers could see the Mississippi River for 6 miles (9.7 km) in both directions. This meant they could spot boats coming towards the fort very early.
Confederate troops at the fort could get ready for attacks from enemy ships. They could also attack Union Army supply boats passing on the Mississippi River. Attacking from the high position of Fort Randolph was safer for them. It meant less risk of being attacked back right away.
In March 1862, the town of Columbus, Kentucky, was attacked. This town was about 160 miles (257 km) north of Randolph on the Mississippi River. Confederate forces robbed and burned it down. They destroyed everything they could not take with them. The rebels then fled downstream. They hid at Fort Randolph to avoid being caught by Union troops.
Life at the Fort
In October 1864, Lieutenant Colonel Jesse A. Forrest was in charge of a group of soldiers. He was a brother of General Nathan Bedford Forrest. His group was part of the 16th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment at Fort Randolph.
The 16th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment was made up of different Confederate units. These units had lost many soldiers or had been split up during the Civil War. They were brought together and reorganized into this new regiment.
The Steamboat Attack
On October 27, 1864, Forrest's men attacked a steamboat. The boat was named the Belle of St. Louis, Missouri. It was traveling upstream from Memphis. The Belle was full of cotton bales and heading north to St. Louis.
The boat stopped at Randolph to pick up more cargo. While it was docked, Confederate rebels attacked it. During the attack, a Union Army Major on the boat was killed. Twenty-six of the crew had gone ashore to help with the cargo. They were captured by Confederate guerrillas (soldiers who fight in small, surprise attacks). The captain of the steamboat quickly pushed the boat back into the river. He wanted to escape and save the boat from being captured or destroyed. The rebel forces lost two soldiers during this attack.
Where is Fort Randolph Today?
Fort Randolph no longer exists today. It was destroyed after the Civil War. The exact location is known by its coordinates.
Location
- Fort Randolph (historical) was at coordinates 35°30′30″N 89°54′24″W / 35.5083°N 89.9067°W.
