American Civil War

I recently had a chance to stop by Fort Pulaski in Savannah, Georgia. The fort's construction began in 1829 as part of a series of coastal defenses for the US. Originally construction was directed by Major General Babcock and then later by Second Lieutenant Robert E. Lee. The fort was finally completed in 1847.

On January 3, 1861, 16 days before the secession of Georgia from the Union, volunteer militia seized Fort Pulaski from the Federal government and, with Confederate forces, began repairing and upgrading the armament.

112-day siege, then captured the Confederate-held Fort Pulaski after a 30-hour bombardment. The siege and battle are important for innovative use of rifled guns which made existing coastal defenses obsolete.

After the fort fell to the Union, it became a POW camp for the remainder of the war.

The fort still shows the scars of the bombardment on its walls.

Inside the fort are a number of cannons.

Original 30 pounder Parrott rifle Model 1862 siege cannon:

Original 30 pounder Parrott rifle Model 1861 and Original 6 pounder Pattern 1835:

Original 12 pounder field howitzer Model 1841:

Original 24 pounder Blakey rifle Pattern 1861: