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Fort Pulaski

The defining events of Fort Pulaski occurred during the American Civil War. In April of 1862, Union troops directed rifled cannon fire at the fort breaching the southeast angle. The quick success of this experimental cannon surprised military strategists. The accuracy and range of the rifled cannon rendered brick fortifications obsolete. Immediately after capturing the fort, Union Major General David Hunter, an ardent abolitionist, ordered the release of area slaves. Many were recruited into the Union army comprising the First South Carolina Colored Regiment.

The park includes scenic marsh and uplands that support a variety of animal life characteristic of southern barrier islands. White-tailed deer, alligators, and raccoons as well as resident and migratory birds grace the landscape. Spanish moss drapes from yaupon holly bushes and vegetation includes cabbage palms, various wetland grasses, and a variety of temperate hardwood and pine trees.

Description: Fort Pulaski, built by the U.S. Army before the war, is located near the mouth of the Savannah River, blocking upriver access to Savannah. Fortifications such as Pulaski, called third system forts, were considered invincible, but the new technology of rifled artillery changed that. On February 19, 1862, Brig. Gen. Thomas W. Sherman ordered Captain Quincy A. Gillmore, an engineer officer, to take charge of the investment force and begin the bombardment and capture of the fort. Gillmore emplaced artillery on the mainland southeast of the fort and began the bombardment on April 10 after Colonel Charles H. Olmstead refused to surrender the fort. Within hours, Gillmore’s rifled artillery had breached the southeast scarp of the fort, and he continued to exploit it. Some of his shells began to damage the traverse shielding the magazine in the northwest bastion. Realizing that if the magazine exploded the fort would be seriously damaged and the garrison would suffer severe casualties, Olmstead surrendered after 2:00 pm on April 11.

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TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Park Hours 9:00am-5:00pm daily Extended summer hours 9:00am to 7:00pm daily The park is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Getting There
PLANE - Savannah Hilton head International Airport

CAR - Follow U.S. HWY 80 East toward Tybee Island, Georgia. The entrance is located about fifteen miles east of Savannah, Georgia.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - There is no Public Transportation to the Fort

Weather & Climate
Hot and humid in summer, mild to chilly and breezy in winter. Rainy periods throughout the year. Wear comfortable sportswear. Walking shoes and insect repellant are recommended.

Accessibility
Facilities: Visitor Center parking, restrooms, and exhibits are wheelchair accessible. Fort lower level, and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Picnic area parking, restrooms, and tables are wheelchair accessible.

Interpretive Services: Written audio station transcripts available in English and Braille. Fort audio cassettes and tape players loaned upon request. Captioned orientation film. Brochures available in English, German, Polish, Japanese, French, and Spanish.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
INDIVIDUAL
$3.00 for 7 Days
17 years of age and older

Local Passport
FORT PULASKI NATIONAL MONUMENT PASS
$10.00 for Annual
Local residents can enjoy the natural and cultural resources of the Park all year long. The Fort Pulaski National Monument pass at $10.00 is the best deal around.

FACILITIES

Museums
VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Extended Summer Hours 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Phone - (912) 786-5787
Closures - The Visitor Center is temporarily closed due to remodeling.It is scheduled to re-open mid-July. Eastern National bookstore and the interpretive video are now located inside the Fort.
Special Programs - A 17 minute film on the history of Fort Pulaski, including the role it played in the Underground Railroad network is shown on the hour and half hour from 9:00AM till 4:30PM daily.
Available Facilities - Rest Rooms