NATIONAL MONUMENT Georgia Developed Preliminary Plans for the Cockspur Siege and Surrender of Fort Pulaski H

NATIONAL MONUMENT Georgia developed preliminary plans for the Cockspur Siege and Surrender of Fort Pulaski H. Olmstead: "Colonel, they will make it very FORT PULASKI fort in 182", and work was begun 2 years later warm for you with shells from that point but under the direction of Maj. Samuel Babcock. DURING the tumultuous days that immediately they cannot breach at that distance." About 800 Robert E. Lee's first appointment after his preceded the outbreak of the Civil War, Fort yards was then universally accepted in military National Monument graduation from West Point, in 1829, was to Pulaski had not been garrisoned by the United circles as the distance from which a brick forti Cockspur Island, where he assisted with the States. To prevent Federal troops from occu fication could be breached with ordinary early work on the fort until 1831. Early in 1831, pying it. Governor Brown, of Georgia, ordered cannon. This belief was soon to be shattered A fine example of an early 19th-century fort and the scene of an Lt. J. K. F. Mansfield replaced Major Babcock it seized on January 3, 1861. Georgia seceded when the real test of Fort Pulaski's strength important bombardment daring the Civil War. in command at Cockspur Island. Under Mans from the Union on January 19, and on March came early in 1862. field's supervision, Bernard's plans for the fort 20 the fort was transferred to the Government While cannon and munitions were being were revised, and the structure was built largely of the Confederacy. brought by the Confederates to Cockspur Island ORT PULASKI National Monument of Savannah and enforce customs and quarantine during the 14 years of his administration. In Soon the Confederates undertook to prepare in the fall of 1861. a large Federal military and commemorates the end ol a distinct laws. This early fortification, partially destroyed 1833, the new fort was named Pulaski in honor Fort Pulaski for the inevitable battle which was naval force was moving southward by sea, chapter in the ever-changing develop by storms, was dismantled in 1776 by the F of Count Casimir Pulaski. to be waged for its possession. Located about a capturing and blockading ports along the The Arches. Photo by O. Gregg Wilson. ment of military science. Its massive walls, in Americans upon the approach of the British Construction continued at Fort Pulaski more mile from the nearest high land on Tybee Atlantic coast as it came. From a base on Hilton which approximately 26,000,000 bricks were fleet. After the Revolution, new defenses were or less continuously from 1829 to 1847. It was Island, it was then believed that the fort could Head Island, S. C, about 16 miles from Cock placed by patient masons over a period of nearly needed for the Savannah River, and the United The siege of Fort Pulaski, moreover, was a an enormous project. Lumber, lime, lead, iron, never be taken. One high military authority spur, the Federal attack on Fort Pulaski was 20 years, still bear the historic scars of a 30-hour States, in 1794-96, erected Fort Greene, named landmark in military history. The breaching of and other building supplies were bought both even said: "You might as well cannonade the planned. bombardment by Federal artillerymen on April in honor of the Revolutionary hero, Gen. the fort's massive brick walls by projectiles from in the North and South in large quantities Rocky Mountains as Fort Pulaski." Early in Federal batteries of the new rifled cannon, to 10-11. 1862. The bombardment demonstrated Nathanael Greene. Unfortunately, the life of rifled cannon demonstrated for the first time- for the project. Nearly a million dollars was November 1861, Gen. Robert E. Lee, then in gether with regular cannon, were set up on to the world for tire first time the tremendous this fort was brief and tragic, for the great that the old type of brick and masonry fortifica spent on Fort Pulaski, but in one respect it was command of the Confederate defenses on the Tybee Island, opposite the fort, early in 1862. battering power of the new rifled cannon. Sur equinoctial gale of 1804 completely demolished tions could not withstand the fire of modern never finished. Its armament was to include southeastern coast, arrived at Fort Pulaski tor a Early on the morning of April 10, when the render of the "impregnable" fortress by the its battery and barracks. A quarter of a century guns. about 140 cannon, but at the beginning of the brief inspection of its preparations for defense. Federal fortes were all in readiness, the Union Confederates, who had seized it at the outbreak elapsed before Cockspur Island was again se In 1880, Fort Pulaski was abandoned as an Civil War only 20 cannon had been mounted, It is related that at that time, while referring to commander, Maj. Gen. David Hunter, sent a of the Civil War, gave notice to military engi lected as the site of a fortification to command active post, and while temporary defense meas and even these were not in a serviceable possible Federal batteries on Tybee Island, he communication to Colonel Olmstead demand neers that the day of brick citadels had passed the South Atlantic coast and the Savannah ures were taken within the structure and on the condition. observed to the fort's commandant, Col. Charles ing the unconditional surrender of Fort Pulaski. forever. Today, the structure is not only a River valley. island during the Spanish-American War no memorial to the fortitude of its defenders, but To this Colonel Olmstead replied without hesi occasion arose to use these defenses against the also to the valor of Count Casimir Pulaski, Aerial view of Fort Pulaski. tancy: "I am here to defend the Fort, not to Building of Fort Pulaski enemy. Polish friend of America during the Revolution, surrender it." The Federals immediately began who fell at the Siege of Savannah in 1779 and a 30-hour bombardment, during which the THE War of 1812 had shown the great weak whose name the fort bears. southeastern angle and wall of Fort Pulaski ness of American coastal defenses. In 1816, The Monument were successfully breached, forcing the 25-year- Congress created a military Board of Engineers Cockspur Island old Colonel Olmstead to surrender about 2 p. m. FORT PULASKI was established as a national for Seacoast Fortifications which undertook to on April 11. The supposedly impregnable for monument on October 15, 1924, by Presidential LYING at the mouth of the Savannah River. devise a new scheme of national defense to con tress had fallen, and with it were captured 385 proclamation under the jurisdiction of the War Cockspur Island has played a significant role in sist largely of the erection of new brick fortifi officers and men, 48 cannon, and a large quan Department. It was transferred in 1933 to the the economic development and military defense cations along our exposed coast lines. As a tity of supplies. supervision of the National Park Service. The of coastal Georgia. In the past two centuries, part of this plan. Cockspur Island was chosen Thus, Savannah, one of the principal seaports monument area now embraces 5,361.62 acres three forts have been built on this small marsh as the site of a new fort in the early 1820's. in the South, was cut off from all foreign trade. of Federal lands on McQueens and Cockspur island. Fort George, a palisaded log blockhouse Brig. Gen. Simon Bernard, famed military Since the fort was never relinquished by the Islands. On the latter island is located the his and earthen fortification, was begun in 1761 by engineer of Napoleon, who was associated with Federals, it was an effective unit in the blockade toric Georgia fortification, which is surrounded the Colonial Government to defend the harbor the new fortifications board from 1816 to 1831, that was eventually to throttle the economic by a beautiful natural marsh and a wooded area life of the South. Its casemates also served as a where are found many varieties of birds and The National Park System, of which this area is a unit, is dedicated to conserving the scenic, military and political prison in 1864-65. semitropical plants. scientific, and historic heritage of the United States for the benefit and inspiration of its people. 'Pott &ulcL4&i NATIONAL MONUMENT Georgia The Ramparts. Photo by O. Gregg Wilson. Wesley Memorial intendent for special service. The nominal admission fee is waived for children under 12 THE memorial stands on approximately the years of age and groups of school children site where John Wesley knelt to give thanks between the ages of 12 and 18 when accom for a safe crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. On panied by adults responsible for their safety coming to America as a missionary to the and conduct. Indians, Wesley landed on Cockspur Island, then called Peeper Island, on February 6, 1736. To commemorate this event, the A dministration Georgia Society, Colonial Dames of America, THE monument is administered by the Na erected the memorial cross. tional Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. A superintendent, whose address is How to Reach the Monument Box 204, Savannah Beach, Ga., is in imme FORT PULASKI is 17 miles east of Savannah diate charge. by way of U.S. 80. The entrance to the monument is on McQueens Island at U.S. 80. Mission 66 Transportation can be arranged with private MISSION 66 is a program designed to be com companies in Savannah. pleted by 1966 which will assure the maxi mum protection of the scenic, scientific, About Your Visit wilderness, and historic resources of the You may visit the monument from 8:30 a.m.

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