The fortifications of Rome have an interesting history, having begun as a local project, subsequently taken over by the Confederate army and later by the Union army.

     After Streights abortive raid in 1863, the citizens of Rome and Floyd County quickly organized to defend their community against future assaults from union forces. Among the measures adopted were the expenditure of $3,000.00 to construct fortifications on the hills around Rome. Soon, City leaders were writing to state officials, seeking assistance in this effort.

     Between July 13 and October 9, 1863, Military engineer Capt. James F. Laulor was in charge of the construction of these forts, using the labor of African-American slaves from local farms, hired for the project. In September,. Three of the forts were named for local Confederate soldiers who had died in the war: Fort Attaway, on the west bank of the Oostanaula River, Fort Stoval, on the south bank of the Etowah River; and Fort Norton, north of the city, on the east bank of the Oostanaula River. There were other forts around Rome, the local newspaper reported, which had "not yet been named".

     The local effort ended, but not the work on the forts. Under orders of Gen. Braxton Bragg, Confederate forces stationed at Rome, commanded by Gen. Alfred Iverson in November began strengthening these earthworks, to "be completed in proper military style and… Manned with siege guns". Another call went out for citizens to supply tools and black laborers, though the newspaper noted: "If we cannot spare the hands…labor will be procured from the troops stationed here. Slave owners will paid $2 per slave per day".

     By Christmas of 1863, Gen. William Hardee had assumed command of the Rebel army at Dalton and sent engineer Capt. John W. Green to Rome, charged with "speedily completing the defenses". Again, the newspaper said, "Citizens are called upon to bring forward their Negroes for this work". Gen. Joseph E. Johnston soon took charge of the Confederate Army of Tennessee and sought from both national & state officials permission to order local citizens to supply "Negroes for work on the fortifications at Rome". When this proposal met with a cool response, Johnston sent soldiers "convicted of various crimes by a recent court martial" to Rome, sentenced to work "at hard labor upon the fortifications around this town".

     If the Rebel high command was interested in Rome, so too , were the Northern top brass. Spies sent by Gen. Grenville Dodge reached Rome and returned to report:

          "The rebels are building strong fortifications at Rome; one brigade stationed there under Gen. (John C.) Brown…strong fortifications are being erected north on the Oostanaula River…"

          And again:

          "at Rome, General Brown with a brigade of infantry is at work on the fortifications; Captain Green is the engineer…"

     In fact in this Union spy report gives the best contemporary description of the fortifications which apparently include the trenches on Jackson Hill:

          "Near the bridge over the Oostanaula River, on the east side of the river, a large fort is being built which commands approach from Alabama on the west. Near it are some 32 pounder guns not mounted. This line of fortifications as laid out but only partially built, runs up this river to the mountains north of town and connects with another fort laid out but not built, that commands the road running in from the north…"

     The work apparently continued into the spring. Alarmed at threatening moves by Sherman’s army, Johnston sent an April 24 telegraph - "Commanding Officer, C.S. Army, Rome: Complete the defenses as quickly as possible. Use the labor of the troops. Let the engineers get Negroes also if Practical".

     Nearly 10 months in construction, the defenses of Rome were apparently very strong. When Union Gen. J.C. Davis approached the city on May 17, his division was taken under fire from "two formidable fieldworks, one situated on the east bank of the Oostanaula and the other on the south bank of the Coosa. The works were situated on two high hills and completely commanded all approaches to them". Also, he reported that "the works looked so strong, I thought imprudent to storm them hastily".

     But the Confederate troops in Rome were under orders to pull out, and Davis" division soon captured the city, including several cannons: "Three field pieces, five 32 pounder garrison guns, and two 8-inch howitzers".

     Proud of this feat, Davis reported to headquarters on May 18 that his Northern troops were "in possession of the strongest fortified place I have seen in Dixie".

     But there was a foot note to this story. Davis communicated to Sherman the importance of holding Rome, and a Yankee garrison force took charge of the city. After the fall of Atlanta in September, the Rebel army - now commanded by Gen. John Bell Hood - moved north, hoping to strike a fatal blow at Sherman’s line of communications. This movement threatened Rome and so the City’s works were rebuilt by Union forces. One Union commander later reported that his force spent three weeks improving the defenses against many of the same confederates who had once manned those same fortifications.

     Recent investigation of the hills north of Rome has shown what appears to be fairly elaborate, interlocking system of trenches and other earthworks meant to make the city invulnerable to assault. Two of the largest of these trenches are found on Jackson Hill.

     One trench, curving around the southern and western side of the crest, is more than six feet deep in places - apparently designed to cover the approaches from the Oostanaula River to the west of this hill. Part of this trench appears to have been widened, perhaps to provide a position for the placement cannons.

     A separate trench lies on the northern and eastern edge of the hill. This may have been meant to "cover the back door" of Rome, commanding the roads coming into the city from the north, on the eastern bank of the river. Visitors may notice that this trench apparently once continued onto the second of this chain of hills (Reservoir Hill), which was constructed by WPA workers in 1935 - 1936. Remains of the northern segment of the trench can be seen going up Reservoir Hill.

•      Visitors should be careful not to disturb the remains of these trenches Federal, state and city laws forbid the use of metal detectors and the private collection of artifacts. A professional archaeological investigation of this valuable historic resource is likely in the future and the members of the Roman Legion urge that citizens act responsibly to help conserve this unique reminder of our community’s heritage.

     Civil War soldiers often constructed defensive fortifications known as "earthworks", which could render a position nearly invulnerable to frontal assault. The fortifications at Rome are believed to have been earthwork, which were typically built in three basic stages:

• First, trenches were dug and the soil was piled in front to form a "breastwork" a chest high ditch.
• Second, trees were cut into logs to strengthen and extend the earthen embankments. ·
• Finally, trees in front of these trenches were cut down and the limbs sharpen into stakes to create and "abatis" or entanglement, the Civil War equivalent to barbed wire.

(Based on research by Gilbert Smith and sponsored by the Roman Legion)