MAJ George Anderson remained in charge of Fort Macalister and did everything he could to prepare it for combat. Major Anderson instructed his troops to clear trees, buildings, and anything else that might obstruct the Confederate troops' field of fire on the troops advancing from the only available point of attack, the rear of the fort. General Anderson ordered his men to construct a stockade around the fort as well as a reduced obstacle around the fort to impede the movement of any advancing forces. In addition to obstacles intended to impede the movement of Union forces on the avenue of approach, Major Anderson had his troops place torpedoes, what we now call land mines, around the fort. When placing the torpedoes, Confederate troops attached them to railroad ties, meaning an opposing force only had to step on the railroad tie to detonate the device, thereby improving considerably their effectiveness.