Near Nicholasville in Jessamine County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
The Northern Line of Fortifications
Camp Nelson National Historic Monument
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 27, 2021
1. The Northern Line of Fortifications Marker
Inscription.
The Northern Line of Fortifications. Camp Nelson National Historic Monument.
Seven Strong Forts Protected Camp Nelson. Seven earthen forts protected the only exposed area of Camp Nelson, here, along its northern periphery. All were formidable earthworks with breastworks eight to ten feet high. The larger forts , Nelson, Jackson and Taylor , were 300 to 400 feet wide. The smaller forts , Hatch, Pope, McKee, and Jones , were 100 to 200 feet wide. The three large forts mounted artillery; infantry manned the other four. The infantry trench connecting all seven forts allowed soldiers to move safely from one area of the line to another. The best-preserved portion of the trench is in front of you.,
The Parrott Rifle. The cast-iron Parrott rifle, patented in 1861, was the most common rifled cannon in the Union army. It is easily identified by the reinforcing band on the rear of the barrel. The 30-pounder Parrott used at Camp Nelson was a siege or garrison weapon. The Parrotts shown above are placed to fire through embrasures rather than over the walls, as they did at Camp Nelson.,
Formidable Defenses. "As a defensible position [Camp Nelson] has probably no equal in the state, surrounded as it is upon two sides (south and west) by the Kentucky River whose banks are precipitous and inaccessible by artillery and upon the east by Hickman Creek, almost equally formidable., The defenses consist of three forts (Taylor, Jackson and Nelson) each mounting six 12-pounder Napoleon guns and one 30-pounder Parrott. The forts are connected by rifle pits and are well constructed and effectually command the approaches., If properly manned, the works are susceptible of defense against almost any force.” Maj. Murray Davis, Inspector General Officer, May 13, 1865,
Charged with Defending Camp Nelson. Lt. Colonel James H. Simpson was the chief engineer for the Army of the Ohio. He was responsible for the defense of all Union installations in his jurisdiction, including Camp Nelson. Captain Orlando Poe was the officer in charge of the initial phase of construction of the defenses at Camp Nelson. He reported directly to Simpson., CaptionsLeft: (No caption) Center: (No caption; map of northern defensive line) Right: Lt Colonel James H. Simpson (left); Captain Orlando Poe (right) Photographs: Parrott rifles and Captian Poe: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division; Colonel Simpson: Edward C. Hackney Collection, U.S. Army Military History Institute
Seven Strong Forts Protected Camp Nelson
Seven earthen forts protected the only exposed area of Camp Nelson, here, along its northern periphery. All were formidable earthworks with breastworks eight to ten feet
high. The larger forts — Nelson, Jackson and Taylor — were 300 to 400 feet wide. The smaller forts — Hatch, Pope, McKee, and Jones — were 100 to 200 feet wide. The three
large forts mounted artillery; infantry manned the other four. The infantry trench connecting all seven forts allowed soldiers to move safely from one area of the line to another. The best-preserved portion of the trench is in front of you.
The Parrott Rifle
The cast-iron Parrott rifle, patented in 1861, was the most common rifled cannon in the Union army. It is easily identified by the reinforcing band on the rear of the barrel.
The 30-pounder Parrott used at Camp Nelson was a siege or garrison weapon. The Parrotts shown above are placed to fire through embrasures rather than over the walls, as they
did at Camp Nelson.
Formidable Defenses
"As a defensible position [Camp Nelson] has probably no equal in the state, surrounded as it is upon two sides (south and west) by the Kentucky River whose banks are precipitous and inaccessible by artillery
Click or scan to see this page online
and upon the east by Hickman Creek, almost equally formidable.
The defenses consist of three forts (Taylor, Jackson and Nelson) each mounting six 12-pounder Napoleon guns and one 30-pounder Parrott. The forts are connected by rifle pits
and are well constructed and effectually command the approaches.
If properly manned, the works are susceptible of defense against almost any force.” Maj. Murray Davis, Inspector General Officer, May 13, 1865
Charged with Defending Camp Nelson
Lt. Colonel James H. Simpson was the chief engineer for the Army of the Ohio. He was responsible for the defense of all Union installations in his jurisdiction, including
Camp Nelson. Captain Orlando Poe was the officer in charge of the initial phase of construction of the defenses at Camp Nelson. He reported directly to Simpson.
Captions Left: (No caption) Center: (No caption; map of northern defensive line) Right: Lt Colonel James H. Simpson (left); Captain Orlando Poe (right) Photographs: Parrott rifles and Captian Poe: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division; Colonel Simpson: Edward C. Hackney Collection, U.S. Army Military History Institute
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 27, 2021
2. The Northern Line of Fortifications Marker Detail
Location. 37° 47.885′ N, 84° 36.103′ W. Marker is near Nicholasville, Kentucky, in Jessamine County. Marker can be reached from Danville Road Loop 2, 0.4 miles south of Fitch Road. Marker is along the Fort Trail northwest of the Perry House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6614 Danville Road Loop 2, Nicholasville KY 40356, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 27, 2021
3. The Northern Line of Fortifications Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 2, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.