New Orleans First Line of Defense Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

mtn-man: If you can fix or verify this cache it can be easily unarchived. Since you now seem to live in Texas, for now I am going to archive it. Feel free to contact me through my profile linked below if you fix it.

NOTE: If you have any questions, do not reply to the archive note email. Click on the link to go to the cache page and click on my name in the archive log at the bottom of the page. You can then send me an email regarding the cache. Please send me a link to the cache in question so I will know which cache it is regarding.

Thanks for your understanding,

mtn-man
Geocaching.com Volunteer Reviewer
My profile page:
http://www.geocaching.com/profile/default.asp?A=3512

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Hidden : 6/11/2006
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

A Half Size Ammo Can located at a National Treasure along the Mississippi River South of New Orleans. Plenty of Free Parking. ****NOTE**** Due to damage by Hurricane Katrina entrance into the Fortification is not permitted but the Cache is located outside the primary structure and perfectly fine for visiting. This cache placement and others placed today for Louisiana Delorme Challenge are dedicated to the "rebuilding and rebirth" of Plaquemines Parish.

About 60 miles south New Orleans lies two of the oldest Civil War era forts still standing today. Forts Jackson and St. Phillip were orginally built to protect the city of New Orleans and act as the cities "First Line of Defense" against enemy ships coming up the Mississippi river. Fort Jackson, where this cache is located is on the West Bank of the river and the only structure accessable by car. Fort St.Phillip is located on the East Bank of the river and is only accessable by boat.

Fort Jackson was built beginning in 1822 and has served many functions throughout its existance. It was originallly built primarily to protect New Orleans and saw its first major battle action during The Battle of New Orleans of the American Civil War. This occurred as a result of the federal government’s plan to seize New Orleans, one of the most important cities in the South. A naval squadron under the Union captain David Farragut, carrying troops led by Benjamin Butler, appeared in the lower Mississippi River in the spring of 1862. To prevent the capture of New Orleans, the Confederates placed a heavy chain cable across the river near the city; New Orleans was also defended by forts Jackson and Saint Philip. After several days of firing on the forts, Farragut succeeded in cutting the chain and passing the forts during the earliest hours of April 24. The Union forces sank or captured 9 of the 17 Confederate vessels; emerging virtually without damage to their own ships, they proceeded to New Orleans. The city, inadequately protected by only 3000 Confederate troops, fell on April 25, was occupied by federal troops on May 1, and was held for the duration of the war. The loss of New Orleans, gateway to the Mississippi River and Valley and chief city and port of the Confederacy, was catastrophic.

Later the Fort Jackson served as Prisoner of War camp and also a military training facility. It was dedicated in 1961 as a National Historic Monument and hopes are to one day obtain National Park status. It is a truly unique structure that hopefully will soon be reopened for visitors to walk through.

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