In the Confederacy-GHM 030-5-Clay Co
Posted by: Sprinterman
N 31° 36.364 W 085° 03.275
16R E 684552 N 3498414
Site of old fort, Bluff Street, Fort Gaines
Waymark Code: WMBVRH
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 06/24/2011
Views: 3
CONFEDERATE FORT - To protect Fort Gaines from Federal gunboats, Confederate Army engineers in 1863 laid out a fort here, commanding a full view of the river for two miles below. A large magazine of lumber and sand was built about 60 feet from the bluff with trenches running north and south to cannon. Breastworks were thrown up along the bluff. Below, on the river bank, was a magazine and a cannon. Of the three cannon, one remains at the site. John Seals, Dr. James Mandeville, Dr. Gaston, Capt. John B. Johnson, a recent graduate of West Point, were among the officers in charge. As Southwest Georgia was not invaded the fort was never used.
WAYSIDE HOME - After the Battle of Olustee in N Florida, casualties were brought up the river to Fort Gaines, where all available churches, stores and other buildings became temporary hospitals. Most outstanding of these was "Wayside Home" in the old Masonic Building, on the site of the present one.
UNKNOWN SOLDIERS - Nine unknown Confederate soldiers who died in temporary hospitals here are buried in New Park Cemetery. Their graves are decorated each Memorial Day.
FEDERAL PRISONERS - A number of prisoners, overflow from the prison at Andersonville, were brought to Fort Gaines and kept under guard in the yard of the old County Court House.
Type of Marker: Highway
Marker #: 030-5
Date: 1957
Sponsor: Georgia Historical Commission
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