Rocky Top in Anderson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Breastworks
Photographed By Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017
1. Breastworks Marker
Inscription.
Breastworks. . Soldiers of the Tennessee National Guard became easy targets for miners positioned on higher ground after trees were cut from Fort Anderson. Convicts then dug these breastworks to provide cover from attacking miners.
War correspondents from national news publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, and Harper's Weekly magazine convinced soldiers to pose for photographs by standing guard over convicts during construction of the breastworks. Accidental discharge of his rifle by one of the soldiers killed a convict and put an end to the practice of posing for photographs.
Soldiers of the Tennessee National Guard became easy targets for miners positioned on higher ground after trees were cut from Fort Anderson. Convicts then dug these breastworks to provide cover from attacking miners.
War correspondents from national news publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, and Harper's Weekly magazine convinced soldiers to pose for photographs by standing guard over convicts during construction of the breastworks. Accidental discharge of his rifle by one of the soldiers killed a convict and put an end to the practice of posing for photographs.
Location. 36° 12.883′ N, 84° 10.017′ W. Marker is in Rocky Top, Tennessee, in Anderson County. Marker is on Vowell Mountain Lane, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lake City TN 37769, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Militia Hill (here, next to this marker); American Chestnuts (here, next to this marker); Fire on Coal Creek (here, next to this marker);
3. Tennessee National Guard in Fort Anderson on Militia Hill.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 426 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.