On Sept. 18, 1861, troops under Generals S. B. Buckner and A. S. Johnston, CSA, took up this key position in the Southern defense line. After Fort Henry fell and Fort Donelson was threatened, they evacuated Feb. 11-13, 1862. Gen. O. M. Mitchell and Federal troops entered Feb. 14, 1862, occupying the evacuated fort and securing the defense line for the North.