Fort McAllister Marker

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

Fort McAllister
»— 10 Mi. →

Fort McAllister Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Mike Stroud, 2008

1. Fort McAllister Marker

Inscription. Situated at Genesis Point, 10 miles east on the right bank of the Great Ogeechee River below the "lost town" of Hardwick, this fort was the right of the exterior line designed for the defense of Savannah. It denied the use of the river to Union vessels, protected King`s Bridge (2.5 miles north) and the Savannah and Gulf (ACL) R.R. bridge 2 miles below, and preserved the river plantations from Union raids. Built 1861-62 to guard the `back door` to Savannah, during 1862-63 it repulsed with minor losses seven attacks by armored vessels, some mounting 15-inch guns.

Fort McAllister finally fell on Dec. 13, 1864, when attacked from the rear by Hazen`s Division, 15th Corps [Union], which passed this point about 7 A.M. and marched via Bryan Neck road (Ga. 63). Although its commander, Major George W. Anderson, refused to surrender, all resistance was smothered under waves of Union infantry which the small garrison of 230 officers and men could not long resist. The fall of Fort McAllister opened the Great Ogeechee River to Union supply ships and enabled Gen. Sherman to establish a base at King`s Bridge. From it, he could supply his whole army (about 60,000 men) which, after a 300 mile march from Atlanta, was then closing in on Savannah.

Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 015-6.)

Fort McAllister Entrance Photo, Click for full size

By Mike Stroud, May 2008

2. Fort McAllister Entrance

Entrance fee required for vehicles.
Fort Coordinates: 31° 53′ 27.92″ N, 81° 11′ 46.57″ W

Marker series. This marker is included in the Battlefield Trails - Civil War, and the Shermans March to the Sea marker series.

Location. 31° 56.978′ N, 81° 18.732′ W. Marker is in Richmond Hill, Georgia, in Bryan County. Marker is at the intersection of Ford Avenue (State Highway 144) and Coastal Highway (U.S. 17), on the right when traveling east on Ford Avenue. Click for map. 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. "Dead Town" of Hardwicke (here, next to this marker); Courthouse Annex (about 400 feet away, in a direct line); Ways Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); J. F. Gregory (approx. half a mile away); Henry Ford at Richmond Hill (approx. half a mile away); Community House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Rice Cultivation on the Ogeechee (approx. 0.7 miles away); Martha-Mary Chapel (approx. 0.7 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Richmond Hill.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Fort McAllister Virtual Tour by Markers

Also see . . .
1. The First Battle of Fort McAllister took place March 3, 1863. (Submitted on June 18, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
2. The Second Battle of Fort McAllister. took place December 13, 1864, during the final stages of Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's March to the Sea (Submitted on June 18, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Federals Storm the Walls Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, circa December 1994

3. Federals Storm the Walls

Each December a reenactment is staged at fort. Here, reenactors portraying the Federals carry ladders to the fort's ditch and prepare to scale the walls.

Fort McAllister Marker, shares location , along Ga 144, with " Dead Town " of Hardwicke Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Mike Stroud, 2008

4. Fort McAllister Marker, shares location , along Ga 144, with " Dead Town " of Hardwicke Marker

Credits. This page originally submitted on June 18, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,383 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on January 11, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on June 18, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on June 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on June 18, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.