Rhea Cole
Major
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2019
- Location
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Thousands of vehicles a day pass the Triune exit on I-840, half way between Murfreesboro & Franklin, Tennessee. It is also the exit for Arrington Vinyards. Sitting on the porch & sipping your wine, the view north across 840 is a vista of unbroken forested ridges as far as the eye can see. It is a lovely place from which to watch the sunset. It is almost impossible to imagine that 160 years ago, the ridge before you would have been a mile long scar of red clay.
After the Battle of Stones River, January 1863 saw a frenzy of earth movement. Along a triangle about 40 miles on a side, Union General William Stark Rosecrans put his army engineering skills to good use. With Nashville as its apex, the eastern leg of the triangle stopped at Fort Transit, a signal station atop a prominent hill. Ten miles westward, the triangle's base passed through Murfreesboro & the gargantuan Fortress Rosecrans. Fifteen miles further on, the Works at Triune capped an east west ridge. The western corner was secured by Fort Granger. The fortress complex that secured the Army of the Cumberland's base was the largest earthen complex in the world.
The Works at Triune are about a mile from east to west. Hold out your right fist. Your thumb is the gorge through which turnpike to Nolensville & Nashville passes. Your knuckles are where redoubts were constructed. The knuckle of your middle finger is a stone faced star shaped redoubt. There are three miles of rifle pits surrounding your knuckles. General Grainger's headquarters was in a brick house near your thumb. The Works were the home of the A.o.C.'s Reserve Corps. 10,000 men strong, the Reserve Corps anchored the center of the base of the Middle Tennessee fortress complex.
The Works are on private land, eight parcels, in fact. Franklin's Charge conducts tours led by the Tennessee State Archeologist. The earthworks are in remarkable condition. It is a lot like visiting a Mayan ruin. One reason the Works have not been disturbed is that it is a real goat climb to get up there. The tangle of sweet gum & Osage Orange trees will leave you bloodied from the needle sharp thorns that festoon every branch. Having served its purpose, the Works were abandoned & served no part in the Nashville Campaign in 1864.
Should you wish to tour Rosecrans' fortress complex without donating a pint of blood, several of the major works have been preserved. Fort Negley, in Nashville is a city park. A formal stone star fort, it is clearly visible from a major interstate intersection near downtown. A significant section of Fortress Rosecrans is part of Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro. Fort Granger is remarkably preserved. It overlooks the city of Franklin from the top of a river bluff. Ft Granger is in a city park. It is an excellent addition to a visit to Franklin Battlefield.
In the spring of 1863, the A.o.C. sallied forth from their fortress complex on a front spanning sixty miles from flank to flank. Massive volumes of men, equines & supplies flowed south. The Cumberlands did not stop until they saluted General Grant during the Grand Review. Their secure base in Middle Tennessee made that magnificent accomplishment possible.
After the Battle of Stones River, January 1863 saw a frenzy of earth movement. Along a triangle about 40 miles on a side, Union General William Stark Rosecrans put his army engineering skills to good use. With Nashville as its apex, the eastern leg of the triangle stopped at Fort Transit, a signal station atop a prominent hill. Ten miles westward, the triangle's base passed through Murfreesboro & the gargantuan Fortress Rosecrans. Fifteen miles further on, the Works at Triune capped an east west ridge. The western corner was secured by Fort Granger. The fortress complex that secured the Army of the Cumberland's base was the largest earthen complex in the world.
The Works at Triune are about a mile from east to west. Hold out your right fist. Your thumb is the gorge through which turnpike to Nolensville & Nashville passes. Your knuckles are where redoubts were constructed. The knuckle of your middle finger is a stone faced star shaped redoubt. There are three miles of rifle pits surrounding your knuckles. General Grainger's headquarters was in a brick house near your thumb. The Works were the home of the A.o.C.'s Reserve Corps. 10,000 men strong, the Reserve Corps anchored the center of the base of the Middle Tennessee fortress complex.
The Works are on private land, eight parcels, in fact. Franklin's Charge conducts tours led by the Tennessee State Archeologist. The earthworks are in remarkable condition. It is a lot like visiting a Mayan ruin. One reason the Works have not been disturbed is that it is a real goat climb to get up there. The tangle of sweet gum & Osage Orange trees will leave you bloodied from the needle sharp thorns that festoon every branch. Having served its purpose, the Works were abandoned & served no part in the Nashville Campaign in 1864.
Should you wish to tour Rosecrans' fortress complex without donating a pint of blood, several of the major works have been preserved. Fort Negley, in Nashville is a city park. A formal stone star fort, it is clearly visible from a major interstate intersection near downtown. A significant section of Fortress Rosecrans is part of Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro. Fort Granger is remarkably preserved. It overlooks the city of Franklin from the top of a river bluff. Ft Granger is in a city park. It is an excellent addition to a visit to Franklin Battlefield.
In the spring of 1863, the A.o.C. sallied forth from their fortress complex on a front spanning sixty miles from flank to flank. Massive volumes of men, equines & supplies flowed south. The Cumberlands did not stop until they saluted General Grant during the Grand Review. Their secure base in Middle Tennessee made that magnificent accomplishment possible.
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