Near this spot, an entire complex of Confederate forts, emplacements, bridges, and roads was built in 1863. Originally, a small redoubt was built in 1861-1862 mounting two 18-pound cannons. According to an early map, this fort was also referred to as Fort Velasco, which also showed pilings across the mouth and a similar early fort on the Quintana side. After the Union blockaded the Mississippi River and restricted maritime commerce, the Brazos River became more important, leading to construction of a larger complex. The 1863 fort at old Velasco was also known as Fort Velasco in its own diagram, but was also called Fort Sulakowski in other records. These works formed part of a chain of forts from Sabine Pass to Brownsville.