Stopping at Fort Pulaski

At the mouth of the Savannah River sits historic Fort Pulaski National Monument, one time guardian of Savannah. Today, it's a handsome, very well maintained example of fortress design, complete with moat, ammo bunkers, and several period piece cannon atop the walls. The defeat of this fort by new technology during the Civil War signalled the end of an era in fortress design.

"The Battle of Fort Pulaski in April 1862 marked a turning point in military history. It featured the first significant use of rifled cannons in combat. These accurate, long-range weapons shattered Fort Pulaski's walls from over a mile away. After thirty-hours of bombardment, the fort surrendered. The battle surprised military strategists worldwide, signaling the end of masonry fortifications."

Beyond Fort Pulaski sits the Cockspur Island Lighthouse. This view of the lighthouse is actually from one of the gun batteries that fired on Fort Pulaski, about a mile directly beyond the lighthouse. There's a trail we could have taken from the fort out near the lighthouse but, that day, we weren't really up to the hike.

"Tragedy struck again in 1854 when the structure was destroyed by a hurricane. The tower was rebuilt and enlarged on the same foundation the next year. At the start of the American Civil War, the light was temporarily extinguished. On April 10, 1862, Union forces in eleven batteries stretching along the beach at Tybee Island, started a long range bombardment of Fort Pulaski. Thirty-six guns participated in a thirty-hour siege of the fort with the Cockspur Lighthouse in direct line of fire."

"Following the surrender of Fort Pulaski on April 11, 1862, the little beacon miraculously only suffered minor damage. Theories abound as to why the tower escaped destruction. One theory suggests to effectively hit the Fort walls approximately 1,500 yards distant, Union artillerists had to fire shots at a high angle, thus passing over the tower. This strategy, coupled with the short duration of battle could explain why the tower was spared. Soon after war's end, April 25, 1866, the beacon was relit and painted white for use as a daymark."