On Wednesday, I read with great interest the article, “Effort underway to preserve historic fort atop Reservoir Hill” in the Bowling Green Daily News.

I’m all for preserving what is left of what I’ve always called Hospital Hill. There is much history on that hill that was occupied by Confederate and Union forces.

When preserving Civil War history it’s vital that both sides of the story be told.

I don’t know Nick Rabold, president of the Bowling Green-Warren County Landmark Association. I’m sure he is very knowledgeable of the history of Hospital Hill, and I give him and the other groups involved in helping preserve what is left of it a lot of credit.

While I commend Mr. Rabold for his efforts to preserve what he calls Fort C.F. Smith, a name I’ve never heard of as a lifelong resident of Bowling Green, it’s disappointing he only appears interested in telling one side of the history there.

Rabold says, “Many thousands of Americans sacrificed their lives to save the Union, with thousands of them stationed at that fort. Those people matter now just as they did then, regardless of rank, and preserving the fort is the best way to protect their legacy.”

I agree with Mr. Rabold that the Union soldier’s legacy should be preserved at Hospital Hill, but he seems not to want to recognize the Confederate forces that were also on Hospital Hill.

I would argue that the brave men who fought for the Confederacy who were at that fort and who sacrificed their lives matter too then and now and that their legacy is worthy of protection also.

I’m hopeful Rabold and the other groups helping to preserve this fort will do their best to tell the story of both armies that occupied that hill, not just one.

Steve Gaines

Bowling Green