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KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- A Civil War battle site was uncovered on the University of Tennessee campus over the past four months as crews prepare for construction of Sorority Village.
The 21 acre site is between Neyland Drive, Kingston Pike and Alcoa Highway on land known as Morgan Hill.
It was found during archaeological surveys of the area. It has Confederate cannon emplacements and trenches facing the Fort Sanders area.
UT archeologists and members of the East Tennessee Civil War Association believe it's the only archaeologically confirmed Confederate battle site in Knoxville.
Archaeologists found the original ruts left by the cannon wheels as well as friction primers, belt buckles and metal remnants believed to be from soldiers burning items in the trenches to stay warm.
A number of small hearths were carved out of the sides of the trenches so soldiers could light fires in relative safety.
Records from that time period show the winter of 1863 into early 1864 was bitterly cold in Knoxville.
Officials will modify their plans slightly to commemorate the location, which was part of the Siege of Knoxville.
That siege took place from Nov. 18 through Dec. 4, 1863, and included the Battle of Fort Sanders on Nov. 29, 1863.
UT will preserve around 60 feet of the south end of the trench where Confederate soldiers battled and mark it with a plaque. The east view facing Fort Sanders will also be preserved.
Plans for Sorority Village have been under way for more than three years and construction begins in early September.
The area will include 13 residential houses, along with a central meeting facility for all chapters.
The 21 acre site is between Neyland Drive, Kingston Pike and Alcoa Highway on land known as Morgan Hill.
It was found during archaeological surveys of the area. It has Confederate cannon emplacements and trenches facing the Fort Sanders area.
UT archeologists and members of the East Tennessee Civil War Association believe it's the only archaeologically confirmed Confederate battle site in Knoxville.
Archaeologists found the original ruts left by the cannon wheels as well as friction primers, belt buckles and metal remnants believed to be from soldiers burning items in the trenches to stay warm.
A number of small hearths were carved out of the sides of the trenches so soldiers could light fires in relative safety.
Records from that time period show the winter of 1863 into early 1864 was bitterly cold in Knoxville.
Officials will modify their plans slightly to commemorate the location, which was part of the Siege of Knoxville.
That siege took place from Nov. 18 through Dec. 4, 1863, and included the Battle of Fort Sanders on Nov. 29, 1863.
UT will preserve around 60 feet of the south end of the trench where Confederate soldiers battled and mark it with a plaque. The east view facing Fort Sanders will also be preserved.
Plans for Sorority Village have been under way for more than three years and construction begins in early September.
The area will include 13 residential houses, along with a central meeting facility for all chapters.
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