Sherman’s “March To The Sea” At Fort McAllister State Park
Fort McAllister was created to protect Savannah during the Civil War. The land was on McAllister’s farm and he created the Fort with his slaves and other southern troops that he commanded. The Fort was very slow at first and really was just a camping area with lots of bugs biting the troops. But it would have two major events happen during the Civil War that made it important.
One of those events wat the sinking of CSS Nashville which was one of the Confederates blockade runners. The park has several items that have been pulled out of the wreckage.
The Park has a great museum with the Fort in the back talking about the areas history. The Guale Indians were the group that the European first encountered. They were farmers with villages as well as hunters and gathers.
In 1526, a Spanish lead expedition come through but it was not until the 1570’s that Europeans started to change their lives by building missions in their territories. In 1610, a mission was built not far from the Fort’s location. But by 1666, the Guale Natives that were left fled to Amelia Island in Florida from the Europeans diseases, pirate attacks, and slavery.
By 1733, the Spanish also fled to Florida as British General James Edward Oglethorpe brought in Settlers to form a new colony called Georgia. In 1755, many of those settlers took over the abandon village of the Guale’s less then a mile away from the Fort. But the area saw little action during the Revolutionary War.
But the Civil War hit and Fort McAllister was built. During 1862 and 1863, the Fort was fired at countless times as the Union was trying to get pass to destroy Plantations, railroad tracks, and other places along the river. The Fort held them at bay must to everyone surprise until December 13, 1864, with General Sherman’s march to the sea.
The museum tell about these events in more detail including that Fort McAllister was a place that was used by both sides of the Civil War for strategies of the navel war and to test new techologies of navel warfare. Today, it is an underwater archaeology hot spot for those studying the Civil War.
As you exit the museum by the back door, you will come to this wonderful watch tower. The views area amazing and worth the trip up.
Across the river is the Cheves’ Rice Mill where General Sherman watched the Fort fall.
After leaving the tower, you should moved on to the barracks and the little soldiers cottages. If you are planning in advance, check to see what classes or programs are being offered. Tours are available daily but they also have archery, hand spinning, canoeing, kayaking, nature hikes, and other programs available for individuals, groups, and school classes.
Past the barracks and the soldiers cottages, a blacksmith shop stands. Some days, they have someone working it. They had candles being make the day that I was there but it was winter and during the week when I went.
As you approach the Fort, you can to go to the right and into the Fort or to the left and go around the Fort.
I went to the left first because I love water and wanted to see the river and the ocean at the same time. As you walk along the trail, the park has several points of interest and signs to tell you about what you are looking at or should be looking for including the assault from the rear by General Sherman’s forces, land mines that the Confederates buried, the site of the Guale Village at the Seven Mile bend, and others.
The opening between this area was the place most of the battles would happen. The Fort would send cannon ball out to this area and ships in this are would send cannon balls flying back into the fort. Soldiers at the Fort would repair the earthen fort during the night were the cannons had hit.
As you walk around the outside of the Fort around back, you can see the earthen fort very well. But without the wooden stakes, you might not even know that you were walking outside a Fort.
Throughout the Fort, cannons stand at ready for their next battle.
The opening of the Fort, always you to see the height of the as you walk through the opening that is available for tourist.
Throughout your time at the Fort, you are welcome to go through the doors and under the hills to find sleeping areas, cannon ball storage areas, and other areas of the Fort below.
Or hang out at the top with the cannon and look out to the battle ground.
In addition, the park has a boat area, a great picnic area, camping, and other hiking areas available. But that seat swing was looking really good to spend the day looking out over the water. Savannah is only 10 miles away but the park and Fort will take a long time. The Fort is over a football field as far as its size.
Books
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The best book that I could find about this area was Guardian of Savannah. I have yet to read it but it was written by an ex military person and the review for those that are interested in Civil War history, highly recommend it.
For those who want an overall view of the whole “March to the Sea”, The Southern Storm would be a better read. Only the last few chapters will include the Fort. But if you will be visiting more than just the Fort, this is the book to read about the damage and effect of his march.