Near Winchester in Clark County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Building the Earthwork
Photographed By Karl Stelly, June 1, 2014
1. Building the Earthwork Wayside Exhibit
Inscription.
Building the Earthwork. . , Construction began in early 1863 , Work on the Boonesboro earthwork progressed slowly, in part because of Confederate raids and in part because of bad weather, but by late spring or early summer the earthwork was complete.
In 1863, there were, of course, no power tools. All work was accomplished with hand tools and manpower. The earth was broken up with picks and moved with shovels. Trees were cut with saws and axes, and there were a lot of trees to clear. All of the trees that blocked the view of the river had to be removed, including those on the slopes below the earthwork. Some of the felled trees were shaped with an axe or adz to build the blockhouse and the stockade. Others were used for the abatis, still others became firewood.
Hand Tools and Manpower , In his proposal to Gen. Gillmore, Capt. Brooks listed the manpower and tools necessary to build the earthwork at Clay's Ferry. This earthwork was similar and no doubt the list, below, applied here as well.
Parts of the Earthwork , Each part of the earthwork was designed to fulfill a specific function. The letters below correspond to the drawing above and to the small signs on the earthwork itself.
A. Abatis - An entanglement made of large tree limbs. Arranged with the limbs facing the enemy, abatis was the equivalent of barbed wire. Its purpose was to slow an assault on the earthwork.
B. Stockading - A high fence made by placing logs vertically in the ground, the stockade was the second line of defense. Holes, called loopholes, allowed soldiers to shoot through the stockade.
C. Infantry Trench - A ditch about 5 feet deep inside of the stockade. The trench gave soldiers cover as they fired through the loopholes in the stockade.
D. Blockhouse - A small thick-walled building in the center of the earthwork. The blockhouse was a place of refuge during an assault. Shots could be fired through holes in the walls. On a day-to-day basis the blockhouse was used to store supplies and as officers' quarters.
E. Parapet - The mound of earth forming the main wall of the earthwork. The parapet was created using the earth removed to form the infantry trench. . This historical marker was erected by Winchester/Clark County Tourism Commission. It is Near Winchester in Clark County Kentucky
Construction began in early 1863
Work on the Boonesboro earthwork progressed slowly, in part because of Confederate raids and in part because of bad weather, but by late spring or early summer the earthwork was complete.
In 1863, there were, of course, no power tools. All work was accomplished with hand tools and manpower. The earth was broken up with picks and moved with shovels. Trees were cut with saws and axes, and there were a lot of trees to clear. All of the trees that blocked the view of the river had to be removed, including those on the slopes below the earthwork. Some of the felled trees were shaped with an axe or adz to build the blockhouse and the stockade. Others were used for the abatis, still others became firewood.
Hand Tools and Manpower
In his proposal to Gen. Gillmore, Capt. Brooks listed the manpower and tools necessary to build the earthwork at Clay's Ferry. This earthwork was similar and no doubt the list, below, applied here as well.
Parts of the Earthwork
Each part of the earthwork was designed to fulfill a specific function. The letters below correspond
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to the drawing above and to the small signs on the earthwork itself.
A. Abatis - An entanglement made of large tree limbs. Arranged with the limbs facing the enemy, abatis was the equivalent of barbed wire. Its purpose was to slow an assault on the earthwork.
B. Stockading - A high fence made by placing logs vertically in the ground, the stockade was the second line of defense. Holes, called loopholes, allowed soldiers to shoot through the stockade.
C. Infantry Trench - A ditch about 5 feet deep inside of the stockade. The trench gave soldiers cover as they fired through the loopholes in the stockade.
D. Blockhouse - A small thick-walled building in the center of the earthwork. The blockhouse was a place of refuge during an assault. Shots could be fired through holes in the walls. On a day-to-day basis the blockhouse was used to store supplies and as officers' quarters.
E. Parapet - The mound of earth forming the main wall of the earthwork. The parapet was created using the earth removed to form the infantry trench.
Erected by Winchester/Clark County Tourism Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 37° 53.361′ N, 84° 15.514′ W. Marker
Photographed By Karl Stelly, June 1, 2014
2. Construction Began in Early 1863
A closer-in view of the text
is near Winchester, Kentucky, in Clark County. Marker can be reached from Ford Road (Kentucky Route 1924) 1.2 miles south of Boonesboro Road (Kentucky Route 627), on the left when traveling south. The exhibit can be reached from the parking area on KY Route 1924. The trailhead is at the edge of the parking area here. It is a ½ mile hike up the trail to the top of the hill where the fort is. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1250 Ford Road, Winchester KY 40391, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. CAUTION: The climb up the hill is VERY steep. It involves a change of elevation of 230 feet. Not recommended for people that are not in good physical shape or condition.
Captain Thomas Brooks' concept drawing of the earthwork at Clay's Ferry
Photographed By Karl Stelly, June 1, 2014
6. Parts of the Earthwork
A closer-in view of the text
Photographed By Karl Stelly, June 1, 2014
7. Building the Earthwork Wayside Exhibit
This view shows the marker's location inside the reconstructed earthwork.
Photographed By Karl Stelly, June 1, 2014
8. Parking Area at the Trailhead
This is the parking area at the trailhead at the base of the hill below the earthwork.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2014, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 495 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 16, 2014, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
