Fort Detail

grades

4, 5, 6

subjects

math, science, social studies

time allotted

45 minutes in class / 60 minutes at Fortress Rosecrans

setting

in classroom and Fortress Rose-crans, Murfreesboro, TN

group size

12-30 divided up into groups / teams of 4-5

skills

critical thinking, cooperation, commu-nication, estimation

methods

the learner will explore the purpose and uses of Fortresses Rosecrans. The learner will also discover structural details of this earthen fort, its historic significance, and the methods of preservation being used by the National Park Service.

materials

paper sacks containing paper, scissors, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, tape, odds-n-ends (enough sacks for each group), copies of Scavenger Hunt sheet for each group, Fortress Rosecrans and Redoubt Brannon brochures

keywords

artillery
depot
earthen fort
earthworks
encroachment
infantry
lunette
provisions

Objectives
At the end of this activity, students will be able to:

	Describe the purpose and uses of Fortress Rosecrans during the Civil War.
	Explain Fortress Rosecrans’ impact on the Civil War community around it.
	Identify methods of conservation.

Background Information
Following the Battle of Stones River in 1863, the Union troops occupied Murfreesboro. The city experienced much destruction due to the Union occupation. Many homes were torn down for the wood; food and crops were taken to feed the troops. The courthouse was used to house soldiers and some prisoners.

In January of 1863, outside of Murfreesboro, General Rosecrans’ troops began construction on an earthen fort. The soldiers worked day and night to complete the fort in June. When completed, the earthen fortress enclosed 200 acres of land. It was named after General Rosecrans and was designed to house 50,000 troops as well as provisions for 90 days. The lunettes were designed so that the infantry and artillery could easily defend Murfreesboro from within the earthworks. Fortress Rosecrans protected a Union depot. Its fortified depot distributed and housed supplies, weapons, ammunition, and food. It had an army hospital for wounded soldiers. It also protected two important transportation systems: the Nashville Pike and the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad; and it had the Stones River as a water supply. It also had cannons that supposedly were pointed at Murfreesboro’s courthouse in case of a Confederate attack.

Only 3,000 feet of the original 14,000 feet of earthworks remain intact today at Fortress Rosecrans. Most of the ruin is due partly to the encroachment of the city of Murfreesboro and partly to the constant wearing away of the soil by the weather. Native plants are being planted to help keep the remnants of the fort in place.

Classroom Activities

	Give groups of students paper sacks with materials and instruct them to make a fort. When completed, have the students describe the shape, materials used, and purpose of their fort.
	Brainstorm and list structures used for protection and the types of materials used to build the struc-ture.

On-site Activities

	Pick up a copy of the Fortress Rosecrans Self Guided Tour at the Visitor Center.
	In groups, students complete the Scavenger Hunt worksheet.
	Discuss and review findings of Scavenger Hunt
	view the Scavenger Hunt worksheet online
	download a PDF of this lesson

Follow-up Activities

	Design an edible fort that would protect railroads, roads, and rivers much like Fortress Rosecrans
	Compare /contrast design and materials of structures used for protection (ex. castles, forts, homes with basements) — How do we use materials and structures today?
	Write a story about a soldier’s life at Fortress Rosecrans during its construction
	Write a skit as a reporter interviewing General William Rosecrans, a soldier working on the construction, a citizen of Murfreesboro, etc. and perform for class.
	Assign students an area on a topographic map and have them design their own fortress.

Resources
Cozzens, Peter. The Battle of Stones River, National Parks Civil War Series. Eastern National, 1995.

Fortress Roscrans and Redoubt Brannon brochures, National Park Service

Natural Resources

Cultural Resources

The Battle of
Stones River

Related Resources