Forgotten Forts Series - Fort DeWolf (KY)

NFB22

Sergeant Major
Joined
Jun 21, 2012
Location
Louisville, KY
After a long break, another forgotten fort.

This one was located just south of Shepherdsville, Kentucky on the south bank of the Salt River. Shepherdsville, located 20 miles south of Louisville, was a key location because of the railroad bridge that spanned the Salt River and helped connect Louisville to Nashville via the L&N Railroad which allowed troops and supplies to flow south after the capture of Nashville in early 1862.
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After the bridge was damaged multiple times, Union troops realized the importance of the railroad and built multiple stockades along the railroad's route. However, the small and hastily constructed fortifications were inadequate given the importance of their mission. In early 1863, engineers proposed upgrading the fort located at Shepherdsville. The fort, now named Fort DeWolf after Lt. William DeWolf of the 3rd US Artillery whom died from wounds received at the Battle of Williamsburg, was upgraded with earthworks being constructed on both sides of the railway that ran through the center of the position. A barracks was built between the fort and the river with palisades running from the fort to the river to protect the barracks and to provided added protection to the bridge. A single 12 pounder was posted within the fort.
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In July 1863 as John Hunt Morgan conducted his famous raid, troops under the command of Major Israel Stiles quickly gathered at Fort DeWolf as Morgan's main column came within 5 miles of the fort when it captured a passing train at Bardstown Junction before turning west towards Brandenburg where his forces would cross the Ohio River into Indiana. This was the final time enemy troops would come within striking distance of Fort DeWolf. Before the end of the war the fort was completed and more cannon added.
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Following the war, the position was abandoned and today, no further evidence of the fort can be found with the exception of several roadside markers at the fort's former location.
 
I also think that's interesting that a rail line ran through the fort. @Rhea Cole has posted some interesting comments about the strategic importance of the L&N -- Rhea might have visited this site and might have some comments about its significance. Too bad nothing tangible remains.

Roy B.
 
Railways running north & south were clearly a major concern during the war in this area because there were no bridges so everything had to be ferried. Railway bridges would have provided a much more simple solution. Both the L&N and the J&I (Jeffersonville, IN & Indianapolis, IN) had expressed desires to building a bridge spanning the Ohio River prior to the war.

No such bridge existed anywhere along this portion of the river, including Cincy, prior to the war.
 
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