Redoubts in Early American Forts

[cavscout]

I know we have more than a few history buffs, so thought I'd post this...

I was down in Destin for vacation and took the kids over to Pensacola for the day to see the Air Museum and Fort Barrancas which is an old Spanish Water Battery that was enhanced by America by adding a larger fort. Part of the addition included a Redoubt located about 1/2 mile from the main fort. I've only ever read about these but have never seen one on any other similar forts on the East coast.

Is anyone aware of any other forts in the US with a Redoubt? According to the literature, the use of redoubts was a common defense in the 1800's so I was a bit curious why I've not seen this before.

[macwilkin]

I know we have more than a few history buffs, so thought I'd post this...

I was down in Destin for vacation and took the kids over to Pensacola for the day to see the Air Museum and Fort Barrancas which is an old Spanish Water Battery that was enhanced by America by adding a larger fort. Part of the addition included a Redoubt located about 1/2 mile from the main fort. I've only ever read about these but have never seen one on any other similar forts on the East coast.

Is anyone aware of any other forts in the US with a Redoubt? According to the literature, the use of redoubts was a common defense in the 1800's so I was a bit curious why I've not seen this before.

You'll find redoubts in a number of places; the Battle of Yorktown in the Revolution, for example, and the siege of Vicksburg during the Civil War. Ft. Ticonderoga has redoubts, as well as a number of fortifications from the 18th & 19th centuries.

Regards,

Todd

[cavscout]

Thanks Todd. Doing a search on American Redoubts I do find several references to the American Revolution. I've visited several of the southern East Coast forts (Fort Macon, Fort Pulaski, Fort Frederica) and we do not see this as often apparently. Seems more common in the North.

[macwilkin]

Thanks Todd. Doing a search on American Redoubts I do find several references to the American Revolution. I've visited several of the southern East Coast forts (Fort Macon, Fort Pulaski, Fort Frederica) and we do not see this as often apparently. Seems more common in the North.

You might want to see if your local library and/or bookstore can get Seacoast Fortifications of the United States: an introductory history by Emmanuel R. Lewis. I picked up a copy of this book back in the early 90's when I visited Ft. Winfield Scott (aka Fort Point) in San Francisco. Ft. Point is great, if you ever get the chance to visit.

There also a new book out (June '07) entitled Fortress America: the forts that defended America, 1600-present by J.E. Kaufmann. I imagine the park librarian will order a copy for us; he is a member of a Civil War fortifications study group, so I'm sure he'll have a review of it soon.

Personally, I'm a big "buff" of the forts of the Indian Wars, especially in Arizona, but coast artillery is fun as well.

Regards,

Todd

[cavscout]

Good leads Todd.

I've also been browsing various definitions of "redoubt" and it appears that many of our southern forts actually have what could be called a redoubt ie Fort Pulaski. It has the earthen works which are inside the moat of the fort but are outside the main defensive walls.

They can be seen on the right side of this photo

[macwilkin]

Here's another web site worth perusing:

http://www.cdsg.org/

T.

[MacWage]

I immediately think of Ft. Jackson near Savannah, Georgia. Also, there WERE several around Charleston, But I can't think of any still preserved. If one goes to 96 and sees the Star fort there, some of the redoubts from the siege are visible, even though it was a, relatively, small battle/siege and all early earthen stuff.
The Fort was, mainly, a British fortification during the American War and was the innermost "regular" fort used by the British forces. The VAST majority, if not all (some debate), of the British forces there were Loyalist colonials, from South Carolina, New York, and New Jersey.
It was assaulted by Greene and a decent chunk of the southern portion of the American regular forces. (VERY interesting site! Now not really near much, but only 20 miles or so from me.)

[Wompet]

Not American, but North American - Fort Erie.

[BonnieT100]

I have a redoubt of sorts where I'm at. I'll post pictures once I leave this place - gimme a year or so.

[Jerry]

You'll find redoubts in a number of places; the Battle of Yorktown in the Revolution, for example, and the siege of Vicksburg during the Civil War. Ft. Ticonderoga has redoubts, as well as a number of fortifications from the 18th & 19th centuries.

Regards,

Todd

I believe there are several around my area also. The siege of Petersburg involved a lot of entrenchment. One of the most notable today is known as" The Crater". This is where Union troops tunneled under the Confederate lines and set off a huge explosive charge.