Fort Pulaski
Just a short drive from Savannah is Fort Pulaski. Once the center of military science and invention, this fort holds significant importance in Savannah’s history. Today, visitors can walk the grounds of this masonry fortification that dates back to the nineteenth century.
In an effort to protect the port of Savannah, President James Madison ordered the construction of this fort on Cockspur Island. Construction began in 1829 at the entrance of the Savannah River, and was completed in 1847. Taking a whopping 18 years to complete, the US governments and taxpayers shelled out over one million dollars on this project.
As the United States feared attack and invasion from Britain, so the U.S Army Corps of Engineers was appointed to develop and design a series of forts to withstand more impact and force than their predecessors. This was referenced as the “Second American System of Fortifications". However, seeing the failures in the forts constructed during the First American System, and the damage caused during the War of 1812, Congress buckled down to create a more comprehensive defense system, which became known as the “Third System of Defense”. As part of the Third System, Fort Pulaski, along with thirty other forts that still exist to this day, are characterized by their notable structural durability. Durability was of utmost importance at this time, and these forts are exemplary of structural innovation at that time.
Understandably, the construction process was lengthy. The first phase involved installing the wall foundations, and cross-timberering framework. With over thirty-two foot high walls, this fort required the work of multiple trades to complete. It is known that slaves, military servicemen, masons, and carpenters were brought down from the northern states to work on this project throughout the years. A service village was built on the island to house the laborers, along with the engineers, and the building materials being used.
Over twenty-five million bricks were used to construct Fort Pulaski, and they are known as “Savannah Grays”. The majority of the bricks used on this fort were actually fabricated and sourced directly from Savannah. Given the magnitude of this quantity, they had to supplement the bricks from Savannah with bricks from Maryland and Virginia as well.
In 1861, as the US Civil War began, the Governor of the State of Georgia, Joseph E. Brown mandated that the fort be seized by the state, and from there became the property of the State of Georgia. Soon after, Georgia joined the Confederate States of America leading confederate troops moved in.
Fort Pulaski was ultimately attacked by the Union artillery in 1862 while it was under the charge of confederate commander Colonel Charles H. Olmstead. Having had its southeastern wall, and at danger of explosive damage, Olmstead proclaimed “I yield my sword, but I trust I have not disgraced it” and surrendered the fort to the Union forces.
The fort was pronounced a National Monument in 1924, and the property was transferred to the National Park Service in 1933. This national monument holds a unique part of Savannah’s history, and visitors are welcomed by the operating staff to see and learn all about the impact it has had in United States history.
Timeline of Events in the History of Fort Pulaski
Other Historic Forts
Getting There
Fort Pulaski is 14 miles east of Savannah. To get there from the historic district, take President Street east to Highway 80 East.
