Existing comment:
Site Selection & Fort Construction:
As supports to Forts Henry and Donelson, engineer Jeremy Gilmer visited Clarksville to choose sites for local fortifications. Gilmer hired Edward Sayers, a civilian engineer, to oversee construction. Sayers used local troops and leased slaves to cut trees, build parapets and dig ditches. Work began on Fort Clark on the Clarksville side of Red River. It progressed to Fort Sevier in New Providence on a high hill above the river allowing "plunging fire" from its artillery battery. Fort Terry was built east |