Fort Braxx is a fort in western Texas. It is widely defended by a naval blockade, a entrenchment then another entrenchment. It is about 5 miles from the Sweet River.
The fort started construction on February 9, 1861 and finished just 8 days later (February 17) since Braxton Bragg had sent nearly 300 soldiers to help. Thus, the fort got it's name: Braxx (Braxton with another X). The fort is guarded by the Texas State Guard which keeps from 1,000-15,000 soldiers there depending on times. Since there is 4 forts along the borderline, the "Big Four Forts", the Texas State Guard must keep it's 25,000 men in each and every fort.
Original Defense Plan (February 11)[]
While it was under construction, Bragg drew up the first defenses: first, just about 1/4th of a mile offshore of the Sweet River would be an inital guard, ranging from 250-500 soldiers. If the enemy overran the first defense line, then just 1 mile behind would be some trenches where from 400-900 soldiers would be. The retreating force of the first line (noted Line 1) could then join in with them. The final lines was the fort itself, which could range from 850-10,000 soldiers (averagely about 6,500). Behind the wooden, brick & sand walls and behind the initial infantry defenders were about 325 Cavalry and 2 batteries of cannons.
Upgraded Defense Plan (February 17)[]
UPDATES: The Texas State Guard stated that "Calvary would not be needed" because that the Calvary could not help battle strategy. As Bragg pitched in during the first plan when an officer questioned him on the idea, he remarked "What if we needed a major retreat? The horses could help the soldiers by holding off the enemy [Union] until the infantry can get out".
Also, the Texas State Guard verified that they had not put in bricks, because bricks were a hazzard when falling, and most of it was wood, then sand, then wood, then sand then wood again. They also said that the enemy had to be withing 150 yards to shoot Confederate's; but the Confederate's could shoot the Union from nearly 850 yards away, giving them a large advantage.