French & Co. "Castle Fort" fronting the river and commanding the city of Vicksburg
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05111.01.0085 Author/Creator: French & Co. Place Written: Vicksburg, Mississippi Type: Photograph Date: After July 1863. Pagination: 1 albumen print ; 24.3 x 29.5 cm. Order a Copy
A print of a photograph of Civil War-era defensive fortifications. Full title from inscription on recto: "Castle Fort" fronting the river and commanding the City of Vicksburg. Built after the end of the Siege of Vicksburg (July 4th, 1863). 15 Guns. Height above the river 1,000 feet." A number of artillery pieces [32-pounder Seacoast Parrot Rifles] facing in different directions out of the fort. An United States flag flies in the center of the image. "Castle Fort," also called "Fort Castle," had been the site of fortifications since 1631 when it was orginally called "The Castle." In 1692, the site was enlarged and was remaned "Fort William and Henry." The British again enlarged the fort and added more guns to its arsenal during the French and Indian War, but it was captued in raid by an American force during the American Revolution. In the early 19th Century the fort was renamed "Fort Constitution," although it was often referred to as "Castle Fort." Stamped on the rear is "Kean Archives, Phila."
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.