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Fort Pulaski National Monument, photo by Bubba73.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Fort Pulaski National Monument

Fort Pulaski National Monument is located on Cockspur Island between Savannah and Tybee Island. The construction of the fort was initiated by the U.S to protect the Savannah from any foreign invasions. The fort was under the War department that was tasked with naval duties.

The construction of the fort saw the U.S government part with up to$1,000,000 in construction. It took 18 years for the construction to be completed. Before the war the state of Georgia claimed the fort however this changed after the outbreak of the war where it was taken by confederate troops.

By the 20^th Century the fort had begun to fall in despair. The war department through its president, Calvin Coolidge declared the Fort becomes a National Monument.  

1.In 1862, plans were made by Gen. Thomas W. Sherman to bombard and capture the fort

On February 19, 1862, Brig. Gen. Thomas W. Sherman made orders for the bombardment and capture of the fort to Captain Quincy A. plans were carefully made by Gillmore to take sage the said fort.  On the 10 the April this engineer took up the task to take over the fort.

However their task proved to be difficult as it was faced with resistance form Colonel Charles H. Olmstead who refused to surrender. It however did not take long for him to concede as in just a few hours Gillmore had breached the southeast scarp and was proceeding to exploit it. He was forced to surrender a day after the attempts made by Gillmore to prevent more damage.

2.The Fort was constructed to protect the port of Savannah from foreign invasion

Fort Pulaski National Monument, photo by Judson McCranie.

James Madison, who was president to the U.S in 1812, ordered the construction of forts to protect them from foreign invasion. This resulted in the creation of the fort. Major General Babcock alongside Lieutenant Robert E. were tasked to engineer and steer it`s construction.

In 1833, the facility was named Fort Pulaski in honor of Casimir Pulaski. Casimir was known as a polish soldier and military commander. He is known as a hero who fought for the independence of the United States and Poland.

3.Other than the protection of the Savannah, the fort was built to block the upriver across the city

The construction of the fort was also aimed at blocking the upriver across the city. Fort Pulaski, built between 1829 and 1847, was placed near the mouth of the Savannah River to block upriver access to the city. The Brick and masonry fortifications such as Pulaski, called “third system” were aimed specifically for blocking the upriver.

To shut down blockade running traffic from coastal Georgia and South Carolina, the Union army and navy mounted an expedition in November, 1861 to occupy the land area surrounding Savannah.

4.The Fort was named after the prominent military commander, Casimir Pulaski

It was not until the year 1833, that the fort took up the name Fort Pulaski from the renowned Casimir Pulaski. Pulaski, who had gain interest in politics, was steered to fight against commonwealth foreign domination. 

He is regarded as a hero who fought for the self-rule of the Unites States of America. His efforts and zeal were not taken for granted as the Fort took up his name in tribute to his work for the United States.

5.After the end of the  Civil war, the fort was taken under the control of the state

After the then civil war in 1847, George Governor Joseph E. ordered for the fort to be taken under the control of the state. In attempts to fulfill those wishes, a steamship traveled down the river and seized the fort. From that moment onwards Fort Pulaski is under control of the United States of America.

6.The bombardment of the Fort by troops in 1862

Southeast parapet, south wall barbette guns, unknown author.

Fort Pulaski had been designed by its engineers for any possible attack.  Attacks were made to the Fort after Colonel Charles rejected the offer made to surrender the fort. Following his non-compliance, union troops began bombarding the fort in efforts to take control.

The attacker used rifled guns which made existing defense obsolete. In just 30 hours into the attack, the new rifled cannon had breached one of the fort’s corner walls. The commander, Colonel Olmstead hesitantly surrendered the fort.

7.Until the end of the Civil war, the Union troops had control over the fort

The union troops occupied the fort from April 1862 until the end of the civil war. Following the attack and surrender on the fort, efforts were underway for the repair of the fort to its glory.  Shipment in and out of Savannah ceased soon after.

While the Fort was in under the control of General David Hunter, orders were given by him for the freeing of all slaves in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Following the order issued, Fort Pulaski became a destination on the Underground Railroad for slaves searching for freedom.

8.It was not until the 20^th century, that the fort was formally declared a National Monument

Fort Pulaski National Monument, photo by CyberXRef.

In just around the 20^th Century the fort had begun to fall in despair. The war department through its president, Calvin Coolidge declared the Fort becomes a National Monument. The fort was transferred from the War department to the National Park Service.

The War department in the U.S is one that was tasked with naval affairs. By the turn of the 20th century, the fort began to fall into disrepair. The National Park service that now controls the fort is a department that is tasked with parks, monuments, natural, historic and recreation properties in the U.S.

9.Fort Pulaski has been used in filming

Robert Redford directed the film, the conspirator, which was shot in Fort Pulaski. The Conspirator is a 2010 American Mystery Historical drama film that is loosely based on an original screenplay by James D. Solomon.

The film speaks of a female conspirator that was charged in the Abraham Lincoln assassination. The film stars James McAvoy, Robin Wright, and Justin Long among others.

10.Fort Pulaski took up to 18 years for it to be constructed

Aerial photo of Fort Pulaski, Georgia, April 2002, photo by Edibobb.

After the end of the war in 1812, the United States took upon itself to build fortifications, which included Fort Pulaski. The initial reason for its construction was to protect the Savannah from any foreign invasions. The construction started in 1829 and took 18 years for the completion of construction.

The United States government spent nearly $1,000,000 in construction costs. Its building materials were locally soured around Savannah and other shipped from Maryland and Virginia.

The initial construction of the Fort was for protection of the Savannah however it now holds historic value to the U.S. After the despair that had occurred on the fort over the years, the war department through its president, Calvin Coolidge declared the Fort becomes a National Monument.