Fort Negley

As the largest inland fortification built during the Civil War, Fort Negley was critical during the Union-occupied Nashville. The strategic location of Nashville made the city and the fort a critical asset to both Union and Confederate armies. After the Confederate's surrender to the Union Army on February 25, 1862, Nashville became a fortified Union stronghold.

The fort was built from August through December of 1862, where more than 2,700 laborers — mainly free and formerly enslaved people constructed Fort Negley atop St. Cloud Hill as part of fortification system.