Fort McAllister The Naval Bombardments - GHM 015-4 - Byran Co., GA
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Lat34North
N 31° 53.390 W 081° 11.911
17R E 481226 N 3528241
This is one of 3 State Historic markers located behind the visitor center at the Fort McAllister State park. This was a Civil War fort that guarded the southern river approach to Savannah, GA, and was captured from the land side by Gen. Sherman.
Waymark Code: WME23C
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 03/24/2012
Views: 6
Fort McAllister The Naval Bombardments
On July 1st and 29th, 1862, the fort was shelled by Union gunboats and on Nov. 19th by the ironclad ´Wissahickon´ and two escort craft. Hit below the waterline, ´Wissahickon´ withdrew after firing 17 11-inch and 25 other shells. The escorts withdrew later after firing 49 100-pdr. and 42 other shells.
On Jan. 27 1863, the armored monitor ´Montauk,´ Comdr. J.L. Worden, USN, anchored near the fort, leaving her escort of four gunboats one mile astern. She fired 61 15-inch and 35 11-inch shells, the first use of 15-inch shells against land battery.. On Feb. 1st, ´Montauk´ and her escort shelled for five hours, killing Major John B. Galle, CSA, wounding 7 gunners, and disabling 1 gun. On Feb. 28th, while her escort shelled the fort, ´Montauk´ destroyed the CSS ´Nashville,´ aground 1400 yards NNW.
On Mar. 3rd, the monitors ´Passaic,´ ´Patapsco´ and ´Hahant,´ Capt. P. Drayton, USN, engaged the fort for eight hours with no more damage to either side than had been suffered in the previous engagements. No further naval bombardments were attempted. By Act of the Confederate Congress, approved May 1, 1863, the defenders were thanked for their ´gallantry and endurance.´
GHM 015-4 Georgia Historical Commission 1957