Construction of the fort involved the use of many Negroes as well as a lot of blasting. Land and materials were often taken without permission. Wood was taken from homes which were pulled down indiscriminately.
One local person wrote of one homeowner complaining to a Federal officer about the destruction of his home and was told "he is a d-d 'secesh' and ought not to have a house. Not to mention taking his outhouse,"
Confederates did one time threaten the fort in October 1863, but decided not to attack because of its strength.
After the war, the fort remained basically the same until the town started to grow. Stones River national Battlefield was established in 1932 and a small portion of the fort was included in it. Of 14,000 feet of earthworks, only 3,00 remain.
Of the four interior forts, only Redoubt Brannon remains.
On October 31, 1994, Fortress Rosecrans was dedicated and opened to visitors.
Supply Base of Fort? --B-R'er
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
