Confederate Anchor and Chain: The Anchor and Chain was used by Southern forces to blockade the Mississippi River. The strategic location and the commanding bluffs of Columbus offered the most desirable fortification between Cairo and Vicksburg during the Civil War. It was the northern terminus of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad which stretched away to Mobile Boy. This position was fortified by the Confederates under Maj. Gen. Leonidas Polk, Sept. 3, 1861 and Was evacuated to the Union Jan. 20th, 1862. |