Fort Tyler: The Last Confederate Stronghold

Fort Tyler stands as a testament to the final days of the Civil War. Constructed in the fall of 1863, the fort was strategically positioned to protect the Chattahoochee River bridges and the crucial railway lines that ran through West Point, Georgia. West Point served as a vital transportation hub, where goods and soldiers were transferred between rail lines with differing gauges.On April 16, 1865, unaware that General Robert E. Lee had surrendered a week prior, Union forces attacked Fort Tyler. Commanded by Confederate Brigadier General Robert C. Tyler, a small garrison of around 265 Confederate soldiers defended the fort against approximately 3,500 Union troops. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Confederate soldiers held their ground for eight hours before the fort was captured. General Tyler was killed during the battle, becoming the last Confederate general to die in the Civil War.Today, visitors can explore the reconstructed earthen fort and walk the grounds where this historic battle took place. The site features a marked trail that leads to the fort, where you can see reproductions of the artillery pieces that once defended the area. Interpretive signs along the trail provide information about the history of the fort and the Battle of West Point. Fort Tyler is recognized as an official Civil War Discovery Trail site.