This morning Marcia and I went to Fort Pulaski, on an island near the mouth of the Savannah River.
Fort Pulaski was one of many eastern seaboard forts built early in the 18th century as protection from European nations. It was considered invincible, with 7 ½ foot thick walls and cannon that could be easily sighted toward most any target, but it was not well garrisoned. The fort was easily seized by Georgia’s militia in January 1861, two weeks before the state seceded from the Union.
Union troops returned in April 1862 with superior numbers and weaponry. The supposedly invincible fort fell in 30 hours, one wall so collapsed the Union was able to fire projectiles nearly into the powder magazine.
How? For the first time in a large battle anywhere, rifled canons were used. Instead of the commonly used iron ball and smooth-bore cannons, the Union used bullet-shaped projectiles containing gunpowder and a detonator. The projectiles and the cannon barrels were rifled so projectiles would spin, greatly increasing distance and accuracy.
One has to feel a little bit sorry for the fort commander, only 25 years old.
The fort was partially rebuilt after the war then abandoned when batteries were established on nearby Tybee Island. The battered corner has been repaired but other parts less severely damaged remain basically as at the close of battle in 1862; you can even see unexploded cannon shot imbedded in the wall.
Fort Pulaski is definitely worth a visit and a guided tour.
After Pulaski we did some errands and drove into Savannah’s River Street area for a late (3 PM!) lunch/dinner at The Cotton Exchange. It was just OK.
Diesel purchased: $3.32/gal, a new Murray Family record.
No comments:
Post a Comment