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French & Co. "Castle Fort" fronting the river and commanding the city of Vicksburg

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05111.01.0085 Author/Creator: French & Co. Place Written: Vicksburg, Mississippi Type: Photograph Date: 1863 Pagination: 1 albumen print Height: 24.3 cm, Width: 29.5 cm Order a Copy

A print of a photograph of Civil War-era defensive fortifications. Full title from inscription on recto: "Castle Fort" fronting the river and commanding the City of Vicksburg. Built after the end of the Siege of Vicksburg (July 4th, 1863). 15 Guns. Height above the river 1,000 feet." A number of artillery pieces [32-pounder Seacoast Parrot Rifles] facing in different directions out of the fort. An United States flag flies in the center of the image. "Castle Fort," also called "Fort Castle," had been the site of fortifications since 1631 when it was orginally called "The Castle." In 1692, the site was enlarged and was remaned "Fort William and Henry." The British again enlarged the fort and added more guns to its arsenal during the French and Indian War, but it was captued in raid by an American force during the American Revolution. In the early 19th Century the fort was renamed "Fort Constitution," although it was often referred to as "Castle Fort." Stamped on the rear is "Kean Archives, Phila."

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