Fort McAllister Naval Bombardments Marker

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Richmond Hill in Bryan County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fort McAllister Naval Bombardments

By Mike Stroud, 2009

1. Fort McAllister Naval Bombardments Marker

Inscription. 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 "Nahant," 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."

Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 015-4.)

Location.

By Mike Stroud, 2009

2. Fort McAllister Naval Bombardments Marker

31° 53.386′ N, 81° 11.921′ W. Marker is in Richmond Hill, Georgia, in Bryan County. Marker can be reached from Fort McAllister Road. Click for map. Marker is located behind Fort McAllister Visitor Center. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond Hill GA 31324, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort McAllister The Assault From The Rear (a few steps from this marker); Sinking of the CSS ''Nashville(Rattlesnake)" (within shouting distance of this marker); Destruction of the C.S.S. Nashville (within shouting distance of this marker); C.S.S. Nashville (within shouting distance of this marker); Capt. John McCrady (within shouting distance of this marker); Major John B. Gallie (within shouting distance of this marker); Tom Cat (within shouting distance of this marker); Machinery From The C.S.S. Nashville (about 400 feet away, in a direct line). Click for a list of all markers in Richmond Hill.

Also see . . . Archives-NY Times Article, March 13, 1863, Wednesday (PDF). IMPORTANT FROM PORT ROYAL.; The Bombardment of Fort McAllister. (Submitted on February 13, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)