I Never Saw Anything Like Them Before

Looking over this parapet, some 1,400 feet of earthwork walls can still be seen stretching out ahead. In 1863, Fortress Rosecrans had more than 14,000 feet of walls surrounding a compound that covered 200 acres. This earthwork defense, the curtain walls, and Lunette Palmer in the distance are all that remain of this side of Fortress Rosecrans. Soldiers stationed here expressed great confidence in the fortifications. Sergeant-major Lyman Widney of the 14th Illinois Volunteer Infantry said they had taken their position and intended to hold it, believing no force the Rebels might bring could drive them out. Captain Hiram M. Gibbs of the 21st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry called the fortifications a big thing and said he had never seen anything like them before, adding that they were said to be the strongest in the world except for one place in Russia. Private Alpheus S. Bloomfield of the 1st Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery thought 50,000 men could hold the place against 100,000. Private James H. Jones of the 57th Indiana Volunteer Infantry wrote that the amount of work done by the army would surprise anyone, comparing these defenses to the smaller works he had seen at Fort Donelson and Bowling Green and saying these works were ready for a fight at any time.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee · United States