Forts Randolph and Buhlow, Pineville, LA Feb 2013

Good weekend! Visited the Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site in Pineville, LA this weekend. Met some wonderful people and had a great lunch at the site.

Lots of living history at the site. For a bit of background the twin Forts Randolph and Buhlow were built after the disastrous Union Red River Campaign. After sacking Alexandria and being defeated near Mansfield to the north, the Union Army, under command of Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks retreated along the Red Red River toward Simmesport, burning and looting every building they passed along the way. To ensure the LA capitol at Shreveport was protected against another invasion the Forts near Alexandria were constructed to stop Union Naval forces from advancing. Each fort had large artillery pieces emplaced with a commanding view of the Red River. These heavy guns could stop any boats sent up river by Union Naval forces. To protect the forts from a direct infantry assault, two regiments of cavalry were assigned to the forts. Confederate forces between the two garrisons totaled just over 800 soldiers. After the Red River Campaign and construction of the forts, no further invasions of the Red River Valley occurred. The forts were either quite a deterrent or a waste of badly needed cavalry and artillery forces. Either way the ruined Red River Valley did not face occupation until the Department of Louisiana surrendered a few weeks after Lees surrender at Appomattox. The Soldiers at the forts were among the last in the Confederacy to surrender.

 This is the community garden grown by the staff. All the vegetables served at the living history lunches (served the first Saturday of each month) come from here. All excess produce is donated to local shelters and food closets.

 Saw a few snapping turtles around the pond.

 This is were I had a fine lunch of rabbit, venison, fried radishes, and cabbage. The food was tasty.

 Winter quarters for the soldiers stationed here. Winter in Pineville sucks. I've been here three weeks and I've seen snow and freezing rain one week. Temps in the 80s the following week then another week of freezing temps at night and 70 degree days. Very thankful for my accommodations.

 The guns of Forts Randolf and Buhlow commanded an excellent view of the Red River and the City of Alexandria. The heavy guns could have stopped any Union Naval advances up the river and the Cavalry and Militia near the forts protected against a sizable Union ground assault.

 Given the nature of cavalry and artillery units, shorter weapons, such as this Enfield musketoon would have been a common sight at the forts. Although many Confederate cavalrymen were rather fond of sawed off double barreled shotguns. At this stage of the war though southern troops were thrilled to have any kind of weapon that went bang.

This weekend was a great little escape, I met lots of very nice people and got to see many historically important sites. I will be visiting Forts Randolph and Buhlow again for sure.