Camp Parapet, Civil War fortification in Shrewsbury, Jefferson Parish, United States
Camp Parapet was a fortification near New Orleans that stretched across roughly 2.8 kilometers of ground. The structure was designed for defense and featured gun positions and defensive works along its length.
Confederate forces built this fortification to protect New Orleans, but the Union took control shortly after capturing the city in 1862. Under new leadership, the site was further strengthened and expanded.
The site served as a training ground where soldiers from different backgrounds came together to serve the Union cause. This mixed composition marked a shift in how the military operated in the region.
The site is located in Jefferson Parish and can be reached from Arlington Avenue, where remnants of the original structures are still visible. It is helpful to gather information about access and current conditions before visiting.
A large portion of the fortification work was completed by formerly enslaved people who joined the Union cause and worked under officers like George H. Hanks. This labor was crucial to strengthening the defensive line and made the site a symbol of change during the war.
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