Civil War Fortification Study Group

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The Civil War Fortification Study Group is dedicated to the study, preservation and dissemination of information of the most visible reminders of the sacrifices made during the American Civil War, the fortifications.

The CWFSG, also known affectionately as the "Trench Nerds". was founded in 1993. Membership is comprised of historians, NPS personnel, preservationists, lecturers, other professionals and avocationals.

The CWFSG holds an annual meeting and seminar, in the Spring.

Cumberland Gap from the overlook towards Cumberland Mountain and Ft. Farragut on the peak. Also visible is the powerline cut and road to Battery #7. Fern Lake is in the background

Members of the CWFSG during the St. Patrick's Day Blizzard, Winchester, Va. meeting 2007, 1st day in the sleet!

Members at Fort Pemberton Park, Mississippi

This park is adjacent to the location where the "Star of the West" finally saw her end, blockading the river for the Confederates. 2008

2010 Meeting Announcement

Dear CWFSG Members,

Although people are partying hardy in New Orleans--this organization will
not be joining them. We had just finalized lodging arrangements when our
program coordinator for New Orleans, Dale Phillips, informed me our meeting
and proposed site itinerary in south Louisiana, planned for March 23-28,
would simply be useless to attempt this year. Apparently, the long term
effects of Katrina remain an obstacle and Dale has been unable to arrange
access to some of the sites we will need to visit to have a successful and
productive meeting. Thus, with local authorities and critical logistical
support waving us off visiting New Orleans for now, I've cancelled our
lodging arrangements and began the process of working out a new venue.

I wish this development had come sooner than later, but Dale was making
every attempt to resolve the local problems with site access, boat
transport, etc., and thus alleviate the issues, before he finally had to
advise our meeting in New Orleans was simply not going to work out.

Therefore, I've canvassed certain members to see if we can arrange an
alternative venue and meeting location. Several have proposed, given the
late notice our planned New Orleans program has to be cancelled, we should
consider rescheduling the meeting to this fall (ie, in late September or
early October). Doing so permits the members who are now assuming
responsibility to coordinate logistics and site access, time to make
necessary arrangements, local contacts, etc., as opposed to simply throwing
things hastily together just to get members something to do in March on the
original program dates.

Again, I am sorry the program issues concerning our meeting in Nawlins
proved unresolvable--but we will work out matters involved in planning a
different venue and get word out on a new program as soon as the meeting
location, itinerary, and time frame are resolved.

Warmest regards,
Stacy

2009 Spring Meeting

The seventeenth annual meeting of the Civil War Fortification Study Group was held the second weekend in March, at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Mills Springs. Three and a half days of wonderful fortifications, ranging from the heavily traveled tourist forts to some real out of the way regimental camps and fortifications where only the bear and deer roam.

Our guide for Mill Springs was Bill Neikirk.

Guiding the Cumberland Gap section was David "the professor" Lowe, assisted by his T.N. in training, Jeff Grigg. Who recently completed a GPS/Gis survey of the CW resources for the park.

2009 Meeting Itinerary