Why was Fort Buhlow Built?
Why was Fort Buhlow built? Fort Buhlow was built in response to rumors that the Union Army was going to attack the Red River in the spring of 1865. General Edmund Kirby Smith, commander of the Confederate Trans-Mississippi Department, saw that strong fortifications were needed to defend the river in case of such an attack.
General Kirby Smith wanted the forts to be built on promontories overlooking the river. The perfect location was found just above the town of Alexandria near the remains of the Union-built Bailey's Dam. The dam remains and rocks of the river rapids at this location would force the enemy gunboats to slow down which would give the Confederate soldiers in the forts the opportunity to fire down on them.
Historical records show that another fort, Fort Alexandria, was also planned as part of the fortification. It was located on the south side of the river near the mouth of the Bayou Rapides. Construction was due to start in December 1864. No firm evidence exists of this fort being built. However, eight miles downstream of Alexandria an earthwork fort was built overlooking the river.