Fort Harker ( Alabama ) Fort Harker , located near Stevenson , Alabama , was a military fortification built by the Union Army during the American Civil War . Constructed in the summer of 1862 by soldiers and freed slaves of the Army of the Cumberland , the fort helped secure strategic railroad lines to ensure the free movement of Union troops and supplies in southeastern Tennessee and northeastern Alabama . Union General William Rosecrans established his headquarters at Fort Harker in July , 1863 , from where he directed a successful campaign against the position of Confederate General Braxton Bragg in Chattanooga , Tennessee . The fort would be abandoned after the war and fall into disrepair . After restoration , the site became a city park in 1985 . History . Fort Harker was built to defend a strategic position captured by Union troops in northeastern Alabama . Situated atop a hill east of the town of Stevenson , it was constructed in the summer of 1862 by soldiers and freed slaves of the Army of the Cumberland , commanded by Union General William Rosecrans . Stevenson was located at the junction for the Memphis and Charleston Railroad and the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad . The location of the fort placed it within firing range of the town , railroads , supply depot s , and warehouses . In addition to Fort Harker , the Union Army established a hospital and a refugee camp in the town . The Union position would prevent Confederate troops from using the railroads in the defense of Chattanooga and secure critical supply lines for the Army of the Cumberland . The design of the fort is typical of many built during the American Civil War . The fort was constructed as a square earthen redoubt , 45 meters ( 150 feet ) on a side . The walls were constructed of rammed earth 4 . 3 meters ( 14 feet ) high , surrounded by a 2 . 5 meter ( 8 foot ) deep dry moat . The fort was armed with seven barbette s for heavy cannon , and a bomb - proof powder magazine . Access to the fort was by draw bridge across the moat . An eight - sided wooden blockhouse was situated at the center of the redoubt . General Rosecrans established his headquarters at Fort Harker in July , 1863 , from where he directed a successful campaign against the position of Confederate General Braxton Bragg and the Army of Tennessee in Chattanooga , Tennessee . After the decisive defeat of the Confederate Army , Rosecrans failed to vigorously pursue his enemy . Bragg and his troops retreated in an orderly fashion southeast into Georgia , where Rosecrans and Bragg would meet again in the Battle of Chickamauga . The Union army at Chickamauga was soundly defeated and all but routed , forcing Rosecrans and his men to retreat back to Chattanooga . Besieged by Confederate troops , Rosecrans was relieved of his command by General Ulysses S . Grant , who placed General George H . Thomas in command . The Battle of Chattanooga began on November 24 , 1863 , and the Union victory would secure southeastern Tennessee and northeastern Alabama , including Fort Harker , for the duration of the war . Fort Harker was abandoned at the end of the American Civil War . It fell into disrepair , and was used by local residents for agricultural purposes , including gardens and hog farming . Excavation of the site for historical preservation began in 1976 . Restoration of the site for public access began in 1985 . Repairs to the fort addressed damage cause by mountain bike riders and the use of the fort walls for target practice by the Stevenson Police Department . Park . Fort Harker is managed as a city park by the City of Stevenson , Alabama . In addition to the historic redoubt , a wildlife observation platform has been built providing scenic views of nearby Crow Creek . The fort is on the National Register of Historic Places . An historical marker has been placed at the fort by the Alabama Historical Commission .