Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Advertisement
    • Contact Us
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Advertise With Us
    • Home
      • COVID-19 Resource Center
        • Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ PSA Radio
      • Featured
    • News
      • State
      • Local
      • National/International News
      • Global
      • Business
        • Commentary
        • Finance
        • Local Business
      • Investigative Stories
        • Affordable Housing
        • DCS Investigation
        • Gentrification
    • Editorial
      • National Politics
      • Local News
      • Local Editorial
      • Political Editorial
      • Editorial Cartoons
      • Cycle of Shame
    • Community
      • History
      • Tennessee
        • Chattanooga
        • Clarksville
        • Knoxville
        • Memphis
      • Public Notices
      • Women
        • Let’s Talk with Ms. June
    • Education
      • College
        • American Baptist College
        • Belmont University
        • Fisk
        • HBCU
        • Meharry
        • MTSU
        • University of Tennessee
        • TSU
        • Vanderbilt
      • Elementary
      • High School
    • Lifestyle
      • Art
      • Auto
      • Tribune Travel
      • Entertainment
        • 5 Questions With
        • Books
        • Events
        • Film Review
        • Local Entertainment
      • Family
      • Food
        • Drinks
      • Health & Wellness
      • Home & Garden
      • Featured Books
    • Religion
      • National Religion
      • Local Religion
      • Obituaries
        • National Obituaries
        • Local Obituaries
      • Faith Commentary
    • Sports
      • MLB
        • Sounds
      • NBA
      • NCAA
      • NFL
        • Predators
        • Titans
      • NHL
      • Other Sports
      • Golf
      • Professional Sports
      • Sports Commentary
      • Metro Sports
    • Media
      • Video
      • Photo Galleries
      • Take 10
      • Trending With The Tribune
    • Classified
    • Obituaries
      • Local Obituaries
      • National Obituaries
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Tennessee

    LET’S GO PLACES: Nashville’s Fort Negley

    Monique GoochBy Monique GoochJune 3, 2021No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Pinterest Tumblr Reddit Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Exploited Black Labor and a Bastion of Freedom

    Looking to get out again now that more people have been vaccinated? This is the debut of the Tribune’s summer travel series, “Going Places.” Over the next few months we will take you on one-day trips to places around the state where African American’s impacted Tennessee history.

    By Monique Gooch

    NASHVILLE TN — Fort Negley, built in 1862 atop St. Cloud Hill in Nashville by more than 2,700 enslaved, self-emancipated and free Blacks, is the largest inland stone fortification constructed during the Civil War. It covers four acres and measures 600 feet by 300 feet. From August through December of 1862, Blacks worked to complete the fort as part of a massive fortification system surrounding Nashville. 

    The park is a three quarters of a mile walk with interpretive panels and beautiful views to see along the way. “Fort Negley is both a product of exploited labor and a bastion of freedom,” said Tracy Harris, the park’s education and programs specialist.

    “Initially the Federal Army liberated enslaved people held by Confederates only for the immediate benefit of removing their labor source and putting the enemy at a disadvantage. The Federal Army had few long-term plans for taking care of the people. When it came time to gather a workforce to build fortifications in Nashville, the Federal Army ultimately exploited African Americans through imprisonment. Despite the conditions and treatment enslaved peoples were self-emancipating and fleeing to federal protection in Nashville. There is a real sense that fleeing to Union lines was a gamble with no certainties, but enslaved people knew what the future held for them staying where they were.”

    “The Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 made a path for eliminating slavery in Confederate states but it didn’t apply to places like Tennessee since it was already under control of the Federal Army. However, the Emancipation Proclamation also provided for the enlisting of Black men into segregated regiment _ the United States Colored Troops (USCT). A year after construction started on Fort Negley, Black men were forming regiments in Nashville. In the Nashville area more than 11,000 Black men formed seven infantry regiments and an artillery company.”

    Harris added that “white soldiers and officers often doubted USCTs were prepared and capable of the responsibilities of the position. They were often given the least desirable duties and most dangerous placement in battle. This was the case leading up to the Battle of Nashville on Dec. 15 and 16, 1864. USCTs suffered major casualties but emerged from the battle victorious in altering their fellow soldiers perceptions. Union General George H. Thomas after seeing the bodies of black and white soldiers together on the battlefield said to his aides ‘Gentlemen, the question is settled; Negroes will fight.’ “

    In 1925, there were failed efforts to preserve Fort Negley as a national military park. The City of Nashville purchased the property. Later in 1935, 800 men working for Works Progress Administration, reconstructed Fort Negley. The fort later opened to the public in 1937. However, due to severe deterioration throughout World War II, the fort closed once again in 1945. 

    In 2004, the park reopened to the public on the 140th anniversary of the Battle of Nashville. 

    When entering the welcome center there is a 20-minute video about the fort that and the Battle of Nashville. In 2019 Fort Negley Park was recognized as UNESCO Slave Route Project site. In 2020 the park was added to the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom trail. 

    According to Harris, development of a new master plan should start within the year. “I believe it is a fantastic opportunity to expand the interpretation on the African American experience and bring out a broader Civil War to Civil Rights story. The descendants of laborers and soldiers created the neighborhood right around the fort and built new lives here.”

    For more information or to visit the Fort Negley Park, go to: FortNegley.nashville.gov.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Monique Gooch

    Related Posts

    Eight Tennessee Residents Convicted of TennCare Fraud

    September 9, 2025

    Abrego Garcia leaves Tennessee jail, heads to Maryland as ICE weighs next steps

    August 23, 2025

    xAI in Memphis: Where pollution meets profit

    August 22, 2025

    State’s new anti-DEI law ends minority business programs in Memphis

    August 16, 2025

    ACLU-TN Files Lawsuit in Response to Bartlett City Officials Blocking Mosque Construction

    July 27, 2025

    Tennessee Human Rights Commission Dissolved

    July 3, 2025

    Comments are closed.

    Advertisement
    Business

    Eggs Up Grill Reaches Milestone with 100th Location Now Open in Kingsport

    September 8, 2025

    Sprouts Farmers Market Hosts Hiring Event Ahead of Mt. Juliet Opening

    August 28, 2025

    NBCC MINORITY BUSINESS OF THE WEEK: Flying Dress

    August 20, 2025
    1 2 3 … 387 Next
    Education
    Education

    Tractor Supply Raises More Than $1 Million to Support FFA Students in Pursuing Postsecondary Studies

    By adminSeptember 9, 2025

    BRENTWOOD, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States,…

    TSU Launches Ph.D. Program in Public Health, Welcomes Inaugural Cohort

    September 8, 2025

    MNPS hits milestone

    September 2, 2025

    Belmont’s Massey College of Business Awards $10,000 Scholarships to All 2025 NELAS Winners

    September 1, 2025
    The Tennessee Tribune
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Store
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact
    © 2025 The Tennessee Tribune - Site Designed by No Regret Media.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Our Spring Sale Has Started

    You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/