Fort Negley, Nashville

Fort Negley was a defensive structure built during the American Civil War, situated about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) south of downtown Nashville. It holds the distinction of being the largest inland fort constructed in the United States during that conflict. Following the Confederate forces' retreat from Forts Henry and Donelson, located along the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, in February 1862, Confederate leaders decided that further attempts to defend Nashville would be futile.

Consequently, they abandoned their efforts to maintain control of the city. Union forces swiftly occupied Nashville, and they promptly began preparations to fortify it. The most significant fortification created during this period was Fort Negley, a star-shaped fortification made of limestone blocks, situated atop a hill to the south of the city. Captain James Saint Clair Morton oversaw the construction of this fort.

In terms of its construction, Fort Negley was built using 62,500 cubic feet of stone, 18,000 cubic feet of earth, and cost $130,000 in United States currency. The labor force behind its construction primarily consisted of local slaves, including women, as well as recently emancipated slaves who had flocked to Nashville upon its capture by Union forces. These newly freed individuals were promised their freedom in exchange for working for the Union.

Additionally, free black individuals were forcibly conscripted to contribute to the construction effort. Records indicate that 2,768 black individuals were officially registered as part of the construction workforce. Sadly, during the construction process, between 600 and 800 men lost their lives, and only 310 of them received any form of payment for their labor. The fort was named in honor of Union Army General James S. Negley, who served as its commander.