Fort Anderson, Civil War fortification in Paducah, Kentucky, United States.
Fort Anderson was an earthen fortification in Paducah measuring roughly 400 feet by 160 feet and equipped with seven guns. A water-filled ditch encircled the entire structure.
The fort was held by Union forces when Confederate troops attacked in 1864. General Nathan Bedford Forrest led approximately 3,000 soldiers in an assault against the position.
The fort made use of a former Marine Hospital building, showing how civilian structures were adapted for military defense. This blending of peacetime and wartime purposes shaped how people remember the site.
The site is now marked by the Paducah-McCracken County Convention Center. Historical markers on the grounds provide details about the fort's history and role.
The garrison was defended by the 8th United States Colored Heavy Artillery, made up largely of formerly enslaved men. These soldiers played a key role in repelling Forrest's attack in 1864.
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