Fort Pulaski

https://www.nps.gov/fopu/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Pulaski_National_Monument Fort Pulaski National Monument is located on Cockspur Island between Savannah and Tybee Island, Georgia. It preserves Fort Pulaski, where in 1862 during the American Civil War, the Union Army successfully tested rifled cannon in combat, the success of which rendered brick fortifications obsolete. The fort was also used as a prisoner-of-war camp. The National Monument includes most of Cockspur Island (containing the fort) and all of adjacent McQueens Island. For much of the 19th century, masonry fortifications were the United States’ main defense against overseas enemies. However, during the Civil War, new technology proved its superiority over these forts. Using rifled cannons, the U.S. Army compelled the Confederate garrison inside Fort Pulaski to surrender. The siege was a landmark experiment in the history of military science and invention. From Interstate I-95, take Exit 99 onto Interstate I-16 East (James L Gillis Memorial Hwy) for 7 miles. Take Exit 164A onto Interstate I-516 East toward US-80 East. Take Exit 3 (US-17 S/US-80 E) toward US-80 East. Turn left onto Ocean Highway, Ogeechee Rd (US-17 N, US-80 East). Bear right onto West Victory Drive (US-80 East). Continue on US-80 East for 13 miles. GPS Coordinates for Fort Pulaski National Monument: N32° 01.680 W080° 53.525 Fort Pulaski Visitor Center The Fort Pulaski Visitor Center is located next to the main visitor parking area and historic Fort Pulaski. Here you can watch the park film, check out a variety of exhibits about Fort Pulaski, and get park and program information for a wonderful visit to the national monument. From Interstate I-95, take Exit 99 onto Interstate I-16 East (James L Gillis Memorial Hwy) for 7 miles. Take Exit 164A onto Interstate I-516 East toward US-80 East. Take Exit 3 (US-17 S/US-80 E) toward US-80 East. Turn left onto Ocean Highway, Ogeechee Rd (US-17 N, US-80 East). Bear right onto West Victory Drive (US-80 East). Continue on US-80 East for 13 miles. Fort Pulaski National Monument entrance will be on the left hand side of US-80; the entrance is just after a turn in the highway. The Battered Walls of Fort Pulaski The red masonry walls of Fort Pulaski still show battle damage over 150 years later. A walk along the outside of Fort Pulaski reveals damaged walls over 150 years after the Civil War. The Casemates of a Fort The brick of the fort glow in the late afternoon light. The arches inside the fort reveal a cannon i Fort Pulaski shows off its classic arched architecture and cannon. The Cockspur Island Lighthouse The white masonry Cockspur Island lighthouse sits in the Savannah River. The Cockspur Island Lighthouse still stands guard over the south channel of the Savannah River and Fort Pulaski. The Sentinel A great blue heron stands watch on top of the fort's brick walls. A great blue heron stands on the top of Fort Pulaski like a lonely sentinel. The Ladies of a Fort Two women dressed in mid nineteenth century civilian attire watch through looking glasses Volunteer living historians play an important role for the National Park Service and Fort Pulaski National Monument. Night Cannon Firing at Fort Pulaski The night sky is illuminated as a cannon fires at Fort Pulaski Artillery demonstrations are an important part of the interpretation program at Fort Pulaski. Traditional Trades Apprenticeship Program’s Rodney Flora A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Rodney Flora applied to the Historic Preservation Training Center’s Traditional Trades Apprenticeship Program (TTAP) after graduating from Shepherd University. Find out how this veteran found his passion in manual labor, not unlike his military experience. Rodney Flora stands to the right of five other crew and staff members. Preserving Places of Captivity: Civil War Military Prisons in the National Parks During the Civil War, over 400,000 Union and Confederate soldiers were held prisoner at more than 150 diff erent prison sites. Approximately 56,000 of these died in captivity. Although Andersonville is the most famous Civil War prison, it is only one of many Civil War military prisons that are preserved by the National Park Service. NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Fort Pulaski National Monument, South Carolina Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. aerial view of fort and surrounding landscape Third System of Coastal Forts How should a country protect its borders? The United States had to consider this question when the War of 1812 ended in 1815. One year later, the federal government believed it had an answer. The nation created a broad national defense strategy that included a new generation of waterfront defenses called the Third System of Coastal Fortifications. The setting sun lights a stone fort wall where a US flag flies high. Seacoast Ordnance Cannon manufactured for use in Third System forts are called seacoast ordnance. These were some of the largest and heaviest cannon available at the time. Cannon at forts Pickens, McRee, Barrancas, Massachusetts, and Advanced Redoubt fell into three categories: guns, howitzers, and mortars. Each had a specific purpose. National Parks Defend America's Coast During World War II Many national park sites joined the war effort in World War II by erecting Aircraft Warning, radio and radar stations. Some historic forts came to life with coastal defenses ready to defend the nation. color photo of explosion atop a fort wall, ocean beyond The Changing War Begun as a purely military effort with the limited political objectives of reunification (North) or independence (South), the Civil War transformed into a social, economic and political revolution with unforeseen consequences. As the war progressed, the Union war effort steadily transformed from a limited to a hard war; it targeted not just Southern armies, but the heart of the Confederacy's economy, morale, and social order-the institution of slavery. Woodcut of spectators watching a train station set fire by Sherman's troops Monitoring Estuarine Water Quality in Coastal Parks: Fixed Station Monitoring Estuaries are the convergence of freshwater, delivered by rivers, to the ocean's salty sea water. The result is a delicate ecosystem providing existence for a multitude of fish and wildlife species. we have created the story map to help you learn more about how these estuaries formed, the potential issues they face, and the process of monitoring the water quality utilizing fixed station monitoring. Waterbirds congregate in an estuary at sunset. Monitoring Estuarine Water Quality in Coastal Parks: Park-wide Assessments Estuaries located in national parks provide recreational experiences such as fishing and boating for park visitors. Therefore, knowing what's in the water can assist the park in its mission of managing such a critcal resource. The Southeast Coast Network monitors water quality through fixed station monitoring and park-wide assessments. While the former is conducted on a monthly basis, park-wide assessments are completed every five years. Learn more with this story map. Dock stretching out into an estuary as the sun sets over the water. Shoreline FAQ Frequently Asked Questions & Answers regarding the Cockspur Island North shoreline. A sandy shoreline with historic pier foundations on a cloudy day with a river in the background. Words Have Power Though they may be simple and small, words have power. Fingerprints in brick. Causes of Deafness During the Civil War Civil War soldiers faced death on a daily basis. However, they also faced going home with various disabilities. One such disability was partial or complete deafness. Many soldiers were accustomed to temporary deafness from the constant artillery fire in the field. However, illness, the environment, and even the medicine the doctors used on patients could cause a much more permanent hearing loss. 102 Cases of Deafness.Prepared 4 Consideration of senate & house of reps. by Wallace E. Foster. 50 Nifty Finds #30: So Funny It Hurt Humor is a form of commentary that often reveals serious truths. Cartoonists combine artistic talents with razor-sharp wits to shine light on political and social issues. In most cases, those artists are external observers. In the National Park Service (NPS), employees in the 1960s to 1980s drew cartoons, published in official newsletters, that provide unique insights into NPS organizational culture, working conditions, and employees' concerns—many of which still exist today. A ranger showing a coloring book to a visitor saying that they care about children's education History of Memory, Tourism, and the Lost Cause at Fort Pulaski How the myth of the "Lost Cause" affected how history was remembered at Fort Pulaski. A ceremony with a group of soldiers with a US flag and a Confederate flag on poles. Battle for Fort Pulaski The Battle for Fort Pulaski demonstrated the power of the newer rifled cannon and exposed the weaknesses of America's coast defense system. A drawing of a brick fort with two lines of soldiers in front. Underground Railroad at Fort Pulaski After the Battle Fort Pulaski became a beacon of freedom for many escaping enslaved people. A painting of three men, a woman and two children in a wooden row boat at night. America's Pastime at Fort Pulaski During the Civil War soldiers at Fort Pulaski often played baseball to escape the boredom of garrison life. Black and white image of two lines of soldiers with a baseball game being played in the background. Condition of Selected Natural Resources at Fort Pulaski National Monument: 2023 Assessment NRCA Overview: Fort Pulaski National Monument, located between Savannah and Tybee Island, Georgia, consists of two coastal islands and contains a 19th century masonry fort. A recent Natural Resource Condition Assessment evaluated four resources at the park—salt marsh, shorebirds, oysters, and butterflies. An orange and black butterfly perched on a plant with bright red flowers. Series: Park Paleontology News - Vol. 16, No. 1, Spring 2024 All across the park system, scientists, rangers, and interpreters are engaged in the important work of studying, protecting, and sharing our rich fossil heritage. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/newsletters.htm">Park Paleontology news</a> provides a close up look at the important work of caring for these irreplaceable resources. <ul><li>Contribute to Park Paleontology News by contacting the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/common/utilities/sendmail/sendemail.cfm?o=5D8CD5B898DDBB8387BA1DBBFD02A8AE4FBD489F4FF88B9049&r=/subjects/geoscientistsinparks/photo-galleries.htm">newsletter editor</a></li><li>Learn more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/">Fossils & Paleontology</a> </li><li>Celebrate <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/">National Fossil Day</a> with events across the nation</li></ul> Photo of a mountain hillside with flowers. 50 Nifty Finds #45: Holding the Line The National Park Service (NPS) was only 26 years old when the United States entered World War II. The young bureau faced very real threats to its mission, with increasing pressure to contribute its natural and cultural resources to the war effort even as its budget and staff were slashed. Under the leadership of Director Newton B. Drury, the NPS was able to do its part for the war while maintaining its public trust responsibilities to the American people. Worth Fighting For fire prevention poster Uncovering the Fossil Resources of Fort Pulaski National Monument A partnership between Georgia State University, Georgia Southern University, and the NPS Paleontology Program resulted in the first field based paleontological resource inventory at Fort Pulaski National Monument. The inventory resulted in the documentation of previously unknown fossils and localities within the monument, including some remains of Pleistocene vertebrates. Photo of three people searching for fossils on a sandy beach. Fort Masonry Learn About How the Traditional Trades Apprenticeship Program (TTAP) Provides Young Adults with Valuable Experience Working on Masonry Project. young men on scaffold working on brick Fort Pulaski Terreplein Excavation Learn About The Work Being Done to Repair Fort Pulaski's Terreplein Men examining excavation of Fort Pulaski terreplein Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park Service To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Quarantine Station Information about the historic quarantine station complex at Fort Pulaski National Monument. Black and white image of a complex of buildings on a flat landscape. Prisoner of War Experience The realities of being a Prisoner of War at Fort Pulaski. Wooden bunkbeds in a brick building as seen through iron prison bars. Knocking on the Door of Preservation Article on Fort Pulaski Sally Port Door preservation project Veranda Roof Repair Repairing Fort Pulaski's Veranda Flagpole over Fort Pulaski Veranda The Nation Unravels Tensions were already high in Georgia before the first shot was even fired in the American Civil War. Illustration of a crowd looking at a obelisk with a "Don't Tread on Me" sign on it. Lift Every Voice Her memoir remains one of only a few reminiscences of life in the United States Colored Troops. A Black women wearing all black. Maintenance Building One of the few WWII era buildings left on Cockspur Island. Guide to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) Southeast Region Collection This finding aid describes the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) Southest Region Collection, part of the NPS History Collection. Project Profile: Designing and Implementing Pilot Resiliency Projects at Southeastern Coastal Fortifications The National Park Service will evaluate and plan for the near- and long-term resilience of southeastern coastal fortifications, significant heritage structures that are at risk due to climate change. Grass in front of water at sunset Robert E. Lee and Fort Pulaski Discover how Robert E. Lee and Fort Pulaski are connected. A painting of a young solider with mutton chops. Rifled Cannon How rifled artillery changed the trajectory of warfare. A large cannon in the center of a fort. Cub Scout Hannah Murray Volunteers at Fort Moultrie National Historical Park Meet Hannah Murray, a Cub Scout from Pack 743! She is also a youth volunteer with the National Park Service (NPS). A young girl in a blue cub scout uniform and an orange hat holds a trash bag, outside Third System of Fortification Fort Pulaski and the Third System of American fortifications. A drawn pastel colored engineering plan for Fort Pulaski. In Their Own Words Highlighting the experiences of those who lived through the bombardment of Fort Pulaski on April 10 and 11, 1862. Sketch of a Civil War Era soldier lying on his side reading a letter. Enslaved to Soldier on the Georgia Coast Almost immediately after the United States retook Fort Pulaski, the US Army began testing the controversial use of African Americans as soldiers. A group of Freedom Seekers in front of a cabin.

In the second quarter of the 19th ce ntury, U.S military engineers bu ilt Fort Pul aski on ma rshy Cockspu r Island to guard the rive r approaches to Savannah, Georgia. Named fo r Cou nt Casim ir Pulaski, a Polish so ld ier of fort une who lost his life in the unsuccessful siege of Savan nah in 1779 , it was designed by Gen. Si mo n Bernard , a d istinguished French military engineer, as part of a coastal fortif ication system adopted by President James Mad ison after th e War of 18 12. Constru ction began in 1829 and req uired $1 mil lion, 25 million bri cks, and 18 yea rs of to il to finish. Its admire rs (and the re were many) considered it invincible and "as strong as the Rocky Mounta ins. " By th e e nd of 1860, however, its armament was still not completed and it was not yet garri son ed. As it tu rn ed out. before United States troo ps co uld occupy the fort, they had to co nquer it. On January 3 , 186 1. two weeks after South Carolina seceded from th e Union and o ne week after Federal troops occupied Fort Sumter in Charleston harbo r, Georg ia Gov. Joseph E. B rown o rdered State mi litia to se ize Fo rt Pul aski . At this time Savannah was a city of abo ut 20,000 inhabitants and a ri ch seapo rt trad ing in cotton , naval sto res. and timber. Th ou g h many disagreed o n the w isdom of sei zin g the Federal fo rt, people of al l classes joi ned in preparations fo r its defense fo llowing the occupation . Afte r Geo rgia seceded o n January 19 , 186 1, Fort Pu laski was transferred to the Con federate States of A me ri ca. By the end of April 1861, 11 Southern States had left the Un ion and were at war with the United States. Befo re th e e nd of the sum mer, President Ab raham Li nco ln o rdered th e U.S. Navy to bl ockade Sou thern ports As the bl ockade ti ghtened it strangled the Confederate economy. On November 7, 186 1, a con1bined Army and Navy exped ition struck at Port Royal Sound , S.C .. abou t 15 111 iles north of Fort Pu laski. Confederate troops fled as Federal wars hips bon1bard ed Forts Walke r and Beau regard . allowing Un ion forces to land un pposed on H ilton Head Island. From th is beach head. the Federals est<1blished a base fo r operati ons agai nst Fort Pulaski and the who le South Al l ntic coast. On November 10, intimidated by the Fede ral presence at H ilto n Head, the Confede rates abando ned Tybee Island at the mo uth of the Savannah, unknowing ly giv ing the enemy the only site from which Fort Pu laski could be taken . The Fede rals acted quickly to take advantag e of the break. Early in December. they cu t the fort 's commun icatio ns w ith th e mainland , then moved troops to Tybee Island to prepare for siege operatio ns. Eng ineer Capt. Qui ncy A. G illmore , who assumed com mand oi all troops on Tybee Island in February 1862, be lieved that an ove rw helmi ng bombardmen t would fo rce the Co nfederates to g ive up the fo rt. Accord ing ly . he erected 11 artillery batteri es co ntain ing 36 guns and mo rtars along the northwest shore of Tybee Island. O n Apr il 10 . after the Confede rates refused G illmore's fo rmal demand to su rrender, the Federals o pened fi re. The Confederates we re not particu larly alarm ed ; the Union guns were a mile away, more than tw ice the effective range fo r heavy ordnance of that day But what th e fo rt's garri son d id not know was that the Federal armament incl uded 1O new expe rime ntal rifled cann ons. whose projectiles began to bo re throug h Pulaski's walls with shattering effect. B noon of h seco nd day the bombardment had opened wide gaps 1n the south as ang le, and explosive shells, passing throu gh the holes. threatened the main powder magazine. Impressed by the hopelessness of the situation and concern ed about the lives of his me n. the Confederate co mmander. Col. Charl es H . O lmstead . su rrendered only 30 ho urs after the bo mbard ment began along with the other 384 off ice rs and men in Pu laski 's garr ison, was sent north and imprisoned at Governor's Islan d in New Yo rk. Whe n he was exchanged in the autumn of 1862 , he resumed command of his reg iment and served w ith d istinct ion for the remainder of the Civ il Wa r. Federal troo ps garrisoned Fort Pulaski until war's end . whe n it was used to ho use several po litica l pri soners. After 1880, a ca retaker and lighthouse keeper were the fo rt's o nl y occupants. They, too, were soon re moved. leav ing the pl ace to the ever-encroac hing vegetati o n and animal life. Th e island was mad e a nati onal mo nume nt in 1924; resto ration of th e fort began in ea rn est about 1933 . Today the fort serves not only as a memorial to the va lor and dedicati o n of those co nnected with its constructio n. bombardment. and defense, but in a larger sense as a history lesson on the e lusiveness of inv incibility Gi ll more was the hero of the day. Fo r his bo ldness in using a new weapo n and fo r the victory wo n. he was breveted a brigad ie r gene ral. O lmstead. T