FORT PULASKI NATIONAL MONUMENT . GEORGIA in command at Cockspur Island. Under Mans­ it seized on January 3, 1861. Georgia seceded when the real test of Fort Pulaski's strength field's supervision, Bernard's plans for the fort from the Union on January 19, and on March came early in 1862. were revised, and the structure was built largely 20 the fort was transferred to the Government While cannon and munitions were being during the 14 years of his administration. In of the Confedetacy. brought by the Confederates to Cockspur Island FORT 1833, the new-fort was named Pulaski in honor Soon the Confederates undertook to prepare in the fall of 1861, a large Federal military and of Count Casimir Pulaski. Fort Pulaski for the inevitable battle which was naval force was moving southward by sea, A fine example of an early 19th-century fort Consrruction continued at Fort Pulaski more to be waged for its possession. Located about a capturing and blockading ports along the and the scene of an important bombardment or less continuously from 1829 to 1847. It was mile from the nearest high land on Tybee Atlantic coast as it came. From a base on Hilton during the Civil War. PULASKI an enormous project. Lumber, lime, lead, iron, Island, it was then believed that the fort could Head Island, S. C, about 15 miles from Cock­ NATIONAL MONUMENT and other building supplies were bought both never be taken. One high military authority spur, the Federal attack on Fort Pulaski was in the North and South in large quantities even said: "You might as well cannonade the planned. ORT PULASKI National Monument fleet. After the Revolution, new defenses were for the project. Nearly a million dollars was Rocky Mountains as Fort Pulaski." Early in Federal batteries of the new rifled cannon, to­ commemorates the end of a distinct needed for the Savannah River, and the United spent on Fort Pulaski, but in one respect it was November 1861, Gen. Robert E. Lee, then in gether with regular cannon, were set up on Fchapter in the ever-changing develop­ States, in 1794-95, erected Fort Greene, named never finished. Its armament was to include command of the Confederate defenses on the Tybee Island, opposite the fort, early in 1862. ment of military science. Its massive walls, in in honor of the Revolutionary hero, Gen. about 140 cannon, but at the beginning of the southeastern coast, arrived at Fort Pulaski for a Early on the morning of April 10, when the which approximately 25,000,000 bricks were Nathanael Greene. Unfortunately, the life of Civil War only 20 cannon had been mounted, brief inspection of its preparations for defense. Federal forces were all in readiness, the Union placed by patient masons over a period of nearly this fort was brief and tragic, for the great and even these were not in a serviceable It is related that at that time, while referring to commander, Maj. Gen. David Hunter, sent a 20 years, still bear the historic scars of a 30-hour equinoctial gale of 1804 completely demolished condition. possible Federal batteries on Tybee Island, he communication to Colonel Olmstead demand­ bombardmenr by Federal artillerymen on April its battery and barracks. A quarter of a century observed to the fort's commandant, Col. Charles ing the unconditional surrender of Fort Pulaski. 10-11, 1862. The bombardment demonstrated elapsed before Cockspur Island was again se­ Siege and Surrender of Fort Pulaski H. Olmstead: "Colonel, they will make it very To this Colonel Olmstead replied without hesi­ to the world for the first time the tremendous lected as the site of a fortification to command warm for you with shells from that point but tancy: "I am here to defend the Fort, not to The Arches. Photo by O. Gregg Wilson. battering power of the new rifled cannon. Sur­ the South Atlantic coast and the Savannah DURING the tumultuous days that immediately they cannot breach at that distance." About 800 surrender it." The Federals immediately began render of the "impregnable" fortress by the River valley. preceded the outbreak of the Civil War, Fort yards was then universally accepted in military- a 30-hour bombardment, during which the Confederates, who had seized it at the outbreak ures were taken within the structure and on the Pulaski had not been garrisoned by the United circles as the distance from which a brick forti­ southeastern angle and wall of Fort Pulaski of the Civil War, gave notice to military engi­ island during the Spanish-American War no Building of Fort Pulaski States. To prevent Federal troops from occu­ fication could be breached with ordinary- were successfully breached, forcing the 25-year- neers that the day of brick citadels had passed occasion arose to use these defenses against the pying it, Governor Brown, of Georgia, ordered cannon. This belief was soon to be shattered old Colonel Olmstead to surrender about 2 p. m. forever. Today, the structure is not only a enemy. THE War of 1812 had shown the great weak­ on April 11. The supposedly impregnable for­ memorial to the fortitude of its defenders, but ness of American coastal defenses. In 1816, tress had fallen, and with it were captured 385 also to the valor of Count Casimir Pulaski, The National Monument Congress created a military Board of Engineers Aerial view of Fort Pulaski. officers and men, 48 cannon, and a large quan­ Polish friend of America during the Revolution, for Seacoast Fortifications which undertook to tity of supplies. FORT PULASKI National Monument consists who fell at the Siege of Savannah in 1779 and of Federal lands on McQueens and Cockspur devise a new scheme of national defense to con­ Thus, Savannah, one of the principal seaports whose name the fort bears. Islands. The fort lies on Cockspur Island, sist largely of the erection of new brick fortifi­ in the South, was cut off from all foreign trade. surrounded by marsh and woods where an cations along our exposed coast lines. As a Since the fort was never relinquished by the Cockspur Island array of birds and semitropical plants are part of this plan, Cockspur Island was chosen Federals, it was an effective unit in the blockade LYING at the mouth of the Savannah River, found. as the site of a new fort in the early 1820's. that was eventually to throttle the economic Cockspur Island has played a significant role in Brig. Gen. Simon Bernard, famed military life of the South. Its casemates also served as a the economic development and military defense engineer of Napoleon, who was associated with military and political prison in 1864-65. Wesley Memorial of coastal Georgia. In the past two centuries, the new fortifications board from 1816 to 1831, The siege of Fort Pulaski, moreover, was a THE memorial stands on approximately the three forts have been built on this small marsh developed preliminary plans for the Cockspur landmark in military history. The breaching of site where John Wesley knelt to give thanks island. Fort George, a palisaded log blockhouse fort in 1827, and work was begun 2 years later the fort's massive brick walls by projectiles from for a safe crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. On and earthen fortification, was begun in 1761 by under the direction of Maj. Samuel Babcock. rifled cannon demonstrated for the first time coming to America as a missionary to the the Colonial Government to defend the harbor Robert E. Lee's first appointment after his that the old type of brick and masonry fortifica­ Indians, Wesley landed on Cockspur Island, of Savannah and enforce customs and quarantine graduation from West Point, in 1829, was to tions could not withstand the fire of modern then called Peeper Island, on February 6, laws. This early fortification, partially destroyed Cockspur Island, where he assisted with the guns. 1736. To commemorate this event, the by storms, was dismantled in 1776 by the early work on the fort until 1831. Early in 1831, In 1880, Fort Pulaski was abandoned as an Georgia Society, Colonial Dames of America, Americans upon the approach of the British Lt. J. K. F. Mansfield replaced Major Babcock active post, and while temporary defense meas- erected the memorial cross. FORT PULASKI NATIONAL MONUMENT . GEORGIA

The Ramparts. Photo by O. Gregg Wilson.

How to Reach the Monument The National Park System, of which this park is a unit, is dedicated to conserving the FORT PULASKI is 17 miles east of Savannah scenic, scientific, and historic heritage of the by way of U.S. 80. The entrance to the United States for the benefit and inspiration monument is on McQueens Island at U.S. 80. of its people. Transportation can be arranged with private companies in Savannah. A superintendent, whose address is Box 98, Savannah Beach, Ga., 31328, is in immediate charge of the park. About Your Visit You can visit the monument from 8:30 a.m. America's Natural Resources to 5:30 p.m. except on Christmas Day. Those CREATED in 1849, the Department of the who plan to visit in a group can make advance Interior—America's Department of Natural arrangements with the superintendent for Resources—is concerned with the manage­ special service. A small fee is charged for ment, conservation, and development of the entrance to the fort unless you hold a Federal Nation's water, wildlife, mineral, forest, and Recreation Area Entrance Permit. Fees are park and recreational resources. It also has not charged for persons under 16 years and major responsibilities for Indian and territorial groups from educational institutions and those affairs. in charge of such groups, regardless of age. As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department works to assure that nonrenewable resources are developed and A dministration used wisely, that park and recreational re­ FORT PULASKI National Monument, estab­ sources are conserved, and that renewable re­ lished on Oct. 15, 1924, and containing 5,364 sources make their full contribution to the acres, is administered by the National Park progress, prosperity, and security of the Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. United States—now and in the future.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Reprint 1966 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1966 OF—212-974