Details
Date
November 9, 2024
Time
12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Description
August 13 through December 7 marks the 162nd anniversary of the construction of Fort Negley. Help honor those that were key to the Federal Army’s effort to fortify Nashville. Over the course of those four months as many as 2771 enslaved, contraband, self-emancipated, and free Black Americans transformed St. Cloud Hill from a hill covered with oak trees into an imposing stone fortress. As few as 317 were paid for their labor and as many as 800 died in the process. Despite these awful conditions Fort Negley and other federal fortifications became a destination for the formerly enslaved seeking freedom. Many of these laborers would go on to join the Federal Army's USCTs.
At noon join us for a short ceremony to honor the laborers and hear some of their stories.
If you're interested in helping plant flags in honor of the laborers please join us for that effort on November 2 (see separate event listing).