Near Tybee Island in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Freedom Ahead!

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 30, 2019

1. Freedom Ahead! Marker

Inscription. Union forces took back Fort Pulaski in 1862, opening a door to freedom for enslaved people in the region. Families fled to this Union outpost in Confederate territory for liberty and protection. The military recruited African American men from the surrounding area to form one of the first African American regiments in the Union Army.

Soon after the Battle of Fort Pulaski, General David Hunter, Commander of the Department of the South, issued General Orders No. 7, freeing enslaved people at Fort Pulaski and on Cockspur Island, Georgia.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 32° 1.629′ N, 80° 53.549′ W. Marker is near Tybee Island, Georgia, in Chatham County. Marker can be reached from Fort Pulaski Road, one mile north of U.S. 80. Marker is located at Fort Pulaski National Monument, along the walkway between the Visitor Center and the fort, overlooking the west side of the fort. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tybee Island GA 31328, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sheltering Crown (a few steps from this marker); Guarding the Door

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(a few steps from this marker); History of Emancipation: (a few steps from this marker); Cisterns of the Construction Village (within shouting distance of this marker); The Waving Girl (within shouting distance of this marker); Soldier of Liberty (within shouting distance of this marker); A Bustling Village (within shouting distance of this marker); Cockspur Island Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tybee Island.

Also see . . . Battle for Fort Pulaski. With the Fort securely in Union control, General David Hunter, commander of the Union garrison issued Gen. Order Number Seven, which stated that all slaves in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina were now free. President Abraham Lincoln quickly rescinded the order, but later issued his own Emancipation proclamation in 1863. At this time, Fort Pulaski was made a final destination on the Underground Railroad as slaves throughout the area were freed upon arrival on Cockspur Island. (Submitted on May 21, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Formerly enslaved people lived in the village supporting the Fort Pulaski post image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Formerly enslaved people lived in the village supporting the Fort Pulaski post

Marker detail: 1st South Carolina United States Colored Volunteer Infantry image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: 1st South Carolina United States Colored Volunteer Infantry

After Fort Pulaski fell, the Union recruited the 1st South Carolina United States Colored Volunteer Infantry, shown here in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Freedom Ahead! Marker (<i>wide view • related marker & Fort Pulaski demilune in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 30, 2019

4. Freedom Ahead! Marker (wide view • related marker & Fort Pulaski demilune in background)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 233 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 21, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.