Republican Blues

Republican Blues Officer Dress Uniform

HD. Qtrs. Batteries Below Fort Jackson March 24/62
Special Orders No. 11 Day Signals

"...Enemy landing in force on the Georgia Shore will be indicated by the hoisting of a White Flag with Blue Cross

Enemy landing in force on the Carolina Shore will be indicated by a White Flag with two blue balls.

Enemy landing in force on Elba Island will be indicated by hoisting of a blue flag.

The Day Signal will be answered by lowering the flag
at the post and the Fort."
By order of Edward C. Anderson
Maj. Com d's

This type of cannon was the mainstay of artillery for both the Union and Confederate armies during the American Civil War.

Mostly used for defense against ground attacks

This is one of four "demi-bastions" in Fort Jackson. They were designed to protect the Fort's walls by firing into the flanks or sides of attacking troops. This demi-bastion had a 32-pounder cannon on a casemate carriage. It sat upon a wooden platform. Cannons were never mounted in the remaining three demi-bastions.When the war broke out in 1861, a 12 pound Mountain Howitzer (picture 7, above) was placed at Fort Jackson for use in the demi-bastions.

Heavy artillery played a key role in the defense of Savannah during the Civil War. In less than a four mile stretch, the Confederacy had over 50 heavy artillery cannons guarding the Savannah River. The Union was never able to capture Savannah by water. The combination of heavy artillery, the "Mosquito Fleet" (a nickname for the Confederate Naval Squadron), ironclads, river mines and other obstacles all kept Savannah safe.
Two attempts were made to test the river defensive positions protecting the city in the fall of 1862; both ended with the retreat of the Union Navy. According to a newspaper article which chronicled the details of the second attack, the engagement lasted more than an hour and more than 100 rounds were exchanged. The engagement frightened many of the civilians in Savannah.

1812 Powder Magazine This is one of two identical powder magazines built during the initial phase, 1800-1812. Confederate forces used these two rooms for prepared ammunation storage. To protect the magazines and their contents, Confederate engineers erected an armor barrier of railroad iron to shield each of the doorways. The second magazine is hidden by the 1960,s stairway that leads to the parapet.

Lies just off shore from Fort Jackson, this Ironclad was a part of the "Mosquito Fleet", scuttled to prevent capture. Attempts to reclaim her are ongoing

The guard and sentries of the fort lived and operated out of this room. Guards serve two hours on duty and two hours off for a 24 hour period. During the summer months, guards would be rotated from the city twice a day to protect them from disease brought on by mosquitoes and harsh conditions.
14th Sept. 1864... Major Bertody reports that a Yankee prisoner was shot last night between 8 & 9, attempting to pass down between Fort Jackson and Cheves Battery. The moon was shining brilliantly at the time & he evidently fancied himself out of harm's way after getting by the city...
Lt. William Dixon
Republican Blues

Presentation watch to W. H. Davis by the Republican Blues.