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Advanced Redoubt - Pensacola, Florida
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| The Advanced Redoubt Located near Fort Barrancas, the Redoubt defended the Pensacola Navy Yard from an attack by land. It was built between 1845 and 1870. |
Advanced Redoubt of Fort Barrancas
Perhaps the least known of the masonry forts built to defend 19th
century Pensacola Bay is the Advanced Redoubt of Fort Barrancas.
Located to the rear of Fort Barrancas, the Redoubt was constructed
to defend Barrancas and the Pensacola Navy Yard from attack by
land.
The last of Pensacola's antebellum forts, the Advanced Redoubt
was part of a larger scheme developed by U.S. engineers to defend
Pensacola Bay and its important naval facilities. Forts Pickens,
McRee and Barrancas all faced the channel leading from the Gulf of
Mexico into Pensacola Bay. Pickens and McRee were relatively
secure from land attack due to the geography of their locations.
Fort Barrancas, however, was exposed to rear attack due to the
width of the peninsula on which both it and the Navy Yard were
located.
To eliminate the risk created by this problem, 19th century engineers
designed and constructed the Advanced Redoubt.
Work on the fort began in 1845 and had not been completed by 1861
when Southern troops occupied Barrancas, McRee and the Navy
Yard on the eve of the Civil War. They also took possession of the
Redoubt.
The fort was not significantly engaged in the massive
bombardments that shook Pensacola Bay in November of 1861 and
January of 1862, due to the fact that its location limited its potential
as a target for Federal gunners.
Union troops reoccupied the Redoubt when they reclaimed
possession of Fort Barrancas and the Navy Yard from evacuating
Confederates in 1862. Since they faced no real possibility of a naval
attack by Confederate forces, the Federals focused considerable
attention on their land defenses. A light of entrenchments was
constructed between the Advanced Redoubt and its sister work, Fort
Barrancas. The route of these breastworks can be followed today by
the Breastworks Trail that links the two forts.
The Redoubt was finally completed five years after the war in 1870,
although by then it had been rendered obsolete due to advances in
artillery.
It is perhaps surprising that the old fort survived at all. An obsolete
structure on an active military base, it was even used for target
practice during the 1930s and 1940s. The Advanced Redoubt still
stands, however, and during the 1970s was made part of Gulf
Islands National Seashore. Restored to its original appearance by
the National Park Service, it now provides visitors with a rare chance
to explore a 19th century masonry fortification constructed entirely to
defend other facilities from land attack. The Advanced Redoubt
includes architectural details that are unique among Pensacola's
old forts. The grounds are open daily for self-guided tours.
The Advanced Redoubt is located near Fort Barrancas, Museum of
Naval Aviation and the historic Pensacola Lighthouse. The staff at
the Visitor Center at Fort Barrancas can answer questions or provide
additional information.
century Pensacola Bay is the Advanced Redoubt of Fort Barrancas.
Located to the rear of Fort Barrancas, the Redoubt was constructed
to defend Barrancas and the Pensacola Navy Yard from attack by
land.
The last of Pensacola's antebellum forts, the Advanced Redoubt
was part of a larger scheme developed by U.S. engineers to defend
Pensacola Bay and its important naval facilities. Forts Pickens,
McRee and Barrancas all faced the channel leading from the Gulf of
Mexico into Pensacola Bay. Pickens and McRee were relatively
secure from land attack due to the geography of their locations.
Fort Barrancas, however, was exposed to rear attack due to the
width of the peninsula on which both it and the Navy Yard were
located.
To eliminate the risk created by this problem, 19th century engineers
designed and constructed the Advanced Redoubt.
Work on the fort began in 1845 and had not been completed by 1861
when Southern troops occupied Barrancas, McRee and the Navy
Yard on the eve of the Civil War. They also took possession of the
Redoubt.
The fort was not significantly engaged in the massive
bombardments that shook Pensacola Bay in November of 1861 and
January of 1862, due to the fact that its location limited its potential
as a target for Federal gunners.
Union troops reoccupied the Redoubt when they reclaimed
possession of Fort Barrancas and the Navy Yard from evacuating
Confederates in 1862. Since they faced no real possibility of a naval
attack by Confederate forces, the Federals focused considerable
attention on their land defenses. A light of entrenchments was
constructed between the Advanced Redoubt and its sister work, Fort
Barrancas. The route of these breastworks can be followed today by
the Breastworks Trail that links the two forts.
The Redoubt was finally completed five years after the war in 1870,
although by then it had been rendered obsolete due to advances in
artillery.
It is perhaps surprising that the old fort survived at all. An obsolete
structure on an active military base, it was even used for target
practice during the 1930s and 1940s. The Advanced Redoubt still
stands, however, and during the 1970s was made part of Gulf
Islands National Seashore. Restored to its original appearance by
the National Park Service, it now provides visitors with a rare chance
to explore a 19th century masonry fortification constructed entirely to
defend other facilities from land attack. The Advanced Redoubt
includes architectural details that are unique among Pensacola's
old forts. The grounds are open daily for self-guided tours.
The Advanced Redoubt is located near Fort Barrancas, Museum of
Naval Aviation and the historic Pensacola Lighthouse. The staff at
the Visitor Center at Fort Barrancas can answer questions or provide
additional information.
| The Moat of the Advanced Redoubt This view shows the dry moat of the Advanced Redoubt. The two structures at left were traverses to be used by defenders in case of attack. |
| The Counterscarp of the Redoubt The masonry wall at left fronts a counterscarp gallery facing the dry moat. Soldiers could use the loopholes to fire at attackers in the moat. |
| The Gorge of the Advanced Redoubt This view looks across the "gorge" or back of the fort. Visible here are the demibastions of the main citadel as well as the drawbridge of the Redoubt. |
