The “Cremaillere Line Fortification” is located about six miles north of Tiptonville in northwest Tennessee. Just west of SR 78 near the community of New Markham, the earthworks were built in 1861 on the south bank of the Mississippi River, part of the Confederate fortifications at Island #10. Since the Civil War, agricultural uses and construction of a nearby levee have reduced the 3600 foot line of earthworks to about 1300 feet. The “Cremaillere Line” is the only remaining earthwork erected in defense of Island #10 and the only known example of a “cremaillere” or indented line earthworks constructed in Tennessee during the Civil War. The earthworks were constructed in large part by African American slaves. Intended to be an infantry line, the “Cremaillere Line” was not equipped with artillery. A cremaillere line was an earthwork situated between two advanced works. An indented earthwork of this type provides flanking fire to defend against infantry attacks.
Federal troops attacked this fortification in March of 1862. After several days of bombardment, the Cremaillere Line and its attached Redan Battery were abandoned. The Confederacy suffered a major loss in surrendering Island #10 as west Tennessee was subsequently open to Federal occupation.
The Battle at Island #10
Tennessee, in February 1862 witnessed the fall of Forts Henry and Donelson; Union occupation of Nashville, and the pull back of Confederate forces from Kentucky. The center of the new Confederate defensive position was organized around Island #10 on the Mississippi River between Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
Under the command of Union Major General John Pope, nearly 25,000 federal soldiers attacked these river defenses on March 3, 1862. Confederate Brigadier General John P. McCown, defending both New Madrid and Island #10 fortifications, chose to evacuate New Madrid on March 13th after launching a sortie and using heavy artillery to bombard the Union forces to no avail. Confederate troops evacuated to Island #10 and Tiptonville. On the 14th, General Pope discovered that New Madrid was deserted and moved in to occupy it. On April 4th, the ironclad “Carondelet, part of the U.S. Navy flotilla, passed the Island #10 batteries and anchored off New Madrid. The flotilla, under the command of Commodore Andrew H. Foote, engaged at long range with the island and the mainland batteries. The gunboats’ heavy cannon easily penetrated the fort. Pope, cautiously approaching the Island, spent three weeks bombarding the post into submission. With the Union ironclads a constant threat, Pope’s men were able to cross the river and block the Confederate escape route. Island #10 was surrendered on April 8th.
The Site Today
The Cremaillere Line Fortification is on private property and not accessible to the public. Cultivated fields surround the remnant line. The remnant central portion of the line retains much of its original design and detailing. Some sections of the parapet wall extend to 4 feet in height and are approximately 25 feet in width. For other sections, only outlines are visible. The line originally terminated at the Redan Battery, at the Mississippi River near Reelfoot Lake. There are no traces of this Redan, lost to river flooding and levee construction.