Natchez, Ms., Civil War Sites Driving Tour, Fort McPherson

You can drive the Civil War in historic Natchez, Mississippi, and go to 30 sites on the tour.  All sites, of course would have something to do with Fort McPherson.

You start at the Natchez Visitor Center for instructions and maps.  The tour can be completely done from your vehicle and estimated time for it would be about 75 minutes.

Several of the sites were directly linked to Fort McPherson, including the fort itself.

SITE  5   

Located at North Canal Street and Madison Street intersection, was the site of the former fort.  Soon after their arrival in Natchez on July 13, 1863, Federal troops began the  creation of Fort McPherson, a large earthwork in the northern suburbs of the city.

It was designed by Captain  Peter Hains on the Engineering  Corps.  The fortification could accommodate  5,000 troops and provided an unobstructed view of the river and surrounding countryside.

SITE 6

CLIFTON   Federal troops destroyed he palatial home of  Frank and Charlotte Surget,  because it impeded the construction of the fort.  After touring the property before its destruction,  Union General Thomas Kilby Smith remarked that "one continuously wonders that such a paradise could be created here on  earth."

--Old Secesh

Fort McPherson, Natchez, Mississippi

In the last post, I wrote about Fort McPherson in Natchez, Mississippi.  I'd never heard of it before, so figured I's do some research on it.

NORTH AMERICAN FORTS

Fort McPherson, Natchez. Miss.   (1863-1865)  Was a line of earthworks and batteries surrounding the town, built by Union forces after they took control of the area.

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The site of Fort McPherson was designed by Captain Peter Hains of the Engineering Corps.  It could accommodate 5,000 troops and provided an unobstructed view of the Mississippi River and surrounding countryside.

The site begins at present-day North Canal and Madison streets.  Parts of an old slave market called Forks in the Road were used in its construction.

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It was named for Union General James McPherson who was killed in action during the Atlanta Campaign.

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United States Colored Troops (USCT)  consisted of 175 regiments of black soldiers, many of who had been slaves,   The 58th, 70th and 71st Colored Infantry and 6th  Colored Heavy Artillery were stationed in Natchez.

No major action took place at Fort McPherson.

There are very little remnants of the fort remaining.

--Old Secesh

USCT Monument Proposed for Natchez Memorial Park

From the April 7, 2021, Natchez, Miss.  Democrat by Sabrina Robertson.

It will be placed prominently in the Natchez Memorial Park outside of St. Mary Basilica.  This would honor those who risked their lives by joining the U.S. Army.

The story of Forks of the Road, one of the largest slave markets in the country will also be a part of the monument's design.   Some of the people in the Forks of the Road were about to be sold when they were freed by Union forces.

Parts of the Forks of the Road were used in the construction of Fort McPherson in Natchez.  Some Natchez residents are calling for the removal of the Confederate memorial at the Memorial Park, but it sounds like it will remain as it gives another aspect of Natchez's heritage and past.

I agree whole-heartedly with letting the Confederate monument remain and building the monument to the USCT as more than likely, USCT troops manned Fort McPherson.  However, I would want there to be a separate monument to the Forks in the Road slave market.

I believe history should give all aspects of a group or place.

Natchez has a slave and a Confederate past.  Both should be memorialized.

--Old Secesh