Near Middlesboro in Bell County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Defense of the Gap
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 5, 2010
1. Defense of the Gap Marker
These defenses were considered too formidable to be taken by direct assault, which accounts for the small number of soldiers killed here. The poor roads and rough country of the Gap made it difficult to resupply the outposts. An attacker could simply cut off supply lines, leaving the forts with little tactical value.
Later in the war, General Ulysses S. Grant visited this area and declared the Gap unusable as an invasion route because of the condition of the roads. Defense of the Gap was no longer strategically important.
Please do not walk on these remaining earthworks.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 36° 36.518′ N, 83° 40.468′ W. Marker was near Middlesboro, Kentucky, in Bell County. It could be reached
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Eastern Kentucky and in the Cumberland Plateau. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Forts and Batteries, North and South (here, next to this marker); Two Armies, One Railroad (a few steps from this marker); A Masterful Retreat (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cumberland Gap / Grant Visits Cumberland Gap (approx.
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 5, 2010
2. Plans of Fort McCook
Other markers no longer nearby. Invasion through the Gap (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Dirt-and-Log Forts (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. This marker was replaced by "Forts and Batteries, North and South" https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=205087
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Cumberland Gap Civil War Defenses
Also see . . . Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. (Submitted on September 14, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 5, 2010
3. Map of the Fortifications
The map uses topographical survey data, and plots the locations of the wartime forts.
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 5, 2010
4. Marker and Cannon in the Remains of Fort McCook
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 5, 2010
5. Bastion of Fort McCook
The field piece is a rifled 6-pdr field gun. It was made in 1861 by Marshall & Company of St. Louis, Missouri. It has registry number 31 on the muzzle and a weight stamp of 869 under the knob. It has seven groove, right-hand twist rifling.
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, March 30, 2012
6. Cumberland Gap Visitor Center- Two Armies Struggling for Control
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, March 30, 2012
7. Cumberland Gap Visitor Center - Civil War Fort Model
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,099 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on October 13, 2022. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 14, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6, 7. submitted on September 14, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
