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12 archaeologyandreconstructionofFortPutnam,Campnelson A Civil War Heritage Park in Jessamine County, Kentucky W. Stephen McBride, Kim A. McBride, and J. David McBride During the American Civil War, most field fortifications were constructed primarily of earth, with some reinforced by wood or stone. The reason for this construction material was the increased penetrating power of Civil War–era artillery; nothing could absorb artillery shells as well as mounds of dirt (Hess 2005). The design and construction of these earthworks varied considerably, depending on terrain, time, and labor availability, as well as the capabilities and preferences of their designers/ builders. Most Civil War earthworks consisted of either infantry entrenchment, often called rifle pits at the time, and larger forts or batteries that were built to position and protect artillery. At the U.S. Army’s Camp Nelson in Jessamine County, Kentucky, a line of eight forts and connecting infantry entrenchment was constructed in 1863 along the camp’s northern periphery. One fort, Fort (or Battery) Putnam, was the site of intensive archaeological investigation with the goals of better understanding the design and construction methods of this fort, as well as identifying its level of preservation, particularly since it was known to have been bulldozed in the 1960s. Because the fort site is within the boundaries of Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park, further interpretation to the public and reconstruction were additional goals of this investigation. Camp Nelson and Its Northern Line of Fortifications Camp Nelson was established in southern Jessamine County, Kentucky, in June 1863 as a U.S. Army supply depot, recruitment camp, and hospital. The initial reason for its establishment was as a forward supply depot for Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside’s Knoxville, Tennessee, Campaign, which occurred between August and November 1863. Because of its supply function, the camp location needed to be on a major transportation route or routes: in this case, the Lexington-Danville Turnpike, which W. Stephen McBride, Kim A. McBride, and J. David McBride 194 eventually led into East Tennessee, and the Kentucky River, which connected the depot to the Ohio River. Another transportation plus for this location was the Hickman Covered Bridge across the Kentucky River at its intersection with the turnpike. This was the only Kentucky River bridge upstream of Frankfort, Kentucky. Unfortunately fortheU.S.Army,norailroadextendedsouthintoeasternKentuckyandEastTennesseefromcentralKentucky ,thoughtheraillinefromCincinnati, Ohio(a major supply center), to Nicholasville, Kentucky, 6 miles north of Camp Nelson, was in place. Another major factor in choosing a location for the depot was defensibility. The site chosen for Camp Nelson was protected on three sides by streams and high rock cliffs, known locally as the palisades. The deeply entrenched Kentucky River meandered around the western and southern camp boundaries, while its eastern periphery ended with Hickman Creek. The only exposed part of the camp was its northern periphery ,amileandahalflong,whichwasoftenreferredtoasthe“peninsula”or“neck” by Union officers. Here the northern line of fortifications was built. One large fort (Bramlette) and a battery (Fitzgerald) were also placed above the Kentucky River at the south end of camp, and one smaller battery (Standdiford) was constructed along lower Hickman Creek. Regarding the northern line and the camp’s overall defensive characteristics, the chief quartermaster, Capt. Theron E. Hall, stated, “Across the narrow neck from the river to the creek are fortifications of a most formidable character connected by rifle pit and protected by abatis. Every approach to the camp is commanded by mounted guns and so far as its natural defenses are concerned it is one of the most impregnable points in the country” (Hall 1865). The location for Camp Nelson was chosen by Captains T. B. Brooks and M. D. McAlester, both engineers, and approved by Lt. Col. James H. Simpson, chief engineer of the Army of the Ohio (Brooks 1863). The northern line was designed and supervisedbythechiefengineerofthe23rdCorps,Capt.OrlandoM.Poe,alongwith John R. Gilliss, assistant U.S. engineer. According to Gilliss (1864a: 772), “An irregular flat ridge, in front of the large sink containing the depot buildings, was selected for the line. The ground for 1,000 yards to the front is undulating, but, excepting scattered sink holes, is entirely swept by fire from the three main forts [Forts Nelson, Jackson, and Taylor]. The line consists of eight forts and batteries connected by an infantry entrenchment. The length of the line is 8,805 feet.” The eight forts included three large open-ended, three- to four-sided forts (Nelson , Jackson, and Taylor); four small open-ended two- to three-sided forts or batteries...

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