The Climb Begins
Station Two marks the beginning of the steep ascent up Muldraugh’s Hill. Soldiers of the 9th Michigan Infantry and 1st Wisconsin Infantry climbed this hill daily during the fall and winter of 1861–1862. Their camp was located near the base, and each morning they marched upward to begin construction of Fort Duffield.
A Grueling Daily Routine
Letters written by soldiers describe the hill as “hard and rocky,” especially during cold weather. Rain turned the slope into mud, and winter ice made the climb treacherous. Despite these conditions, soldiers carried tools, timber, and supplies up the hill as part of their daily labor.
Engineering Under Hardship
The ascent was not just physically demanding — it was essential to the fort’s construction. Every log used in the fort’s walls, every shovel of earth moved to shape the defensive works, and every supply needed for survival had to be hauled up this slope.
What to Notice Here
- The steep grade of the hillside
- The narrow path soldiers used daily
- The difficulty of hauling timber and tools uphill
- The strategic importance of the elevation
Continue the Tour
When ready, continue up the trail to Station Three, where you’ll reach the original entrance to Fort Duffield.