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

King's Bridge

Photographed by Mike Stroud, July 2008

1. King's Bridge Marker

Inscription. Dec. 1864. After a 300 mile march which had left a wide belt of destruction from "Atlanta to the Sea," Gen. Sherman's army (USA) of about 60,000 men was nearing Savannah. During he first weeks of his campaign, his four widely-spread columns had found adequate supplies on the rich farms and plantations of central and eastern Georgia; but in Chatham County he found little but rice and rice straw upon which to subsist his men and animals. He needed all classes of supplies, as well as heavy guns with which to conduct a siege. Although a supply fleet, under Adm. Dahlgren, was waiting in nearby anchorages, the ships could not pass Fort McAllister (CSA) 10 miles downstream at Genesis Point, and all attempts to reduce it by naval bombardment had failed.

On the 13th, Hazen's Div., 15th Corps (USA), crossed the river here, moved via "Cross Roads" (Richmond Hill), 2.5 miles south, and Bryan Neck road (Ga 63) to Fort McAllister and overwhelmed it by assault from the rear. The great guns of Fort McAllister silenced, the heavily laden supply ships began to move upstream. A wharf was built here by details from the 17th Corps (USA),

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and King's Bridge became the base from which all supplies, including siege materiel, were distributed to the Union forces.

Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 025-43.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society, and the Sherman’s March to the Sea series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 31° 58.735′ N, 81° 17.317′ W. Marker is near Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is at the intersection of Ocean Highway (Route 17) and Basin Road on Ocean Highway. Located on the north side of the Ogeechee River, at a public boat landing. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31419, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Coastal Plain and on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

King's Bridge Marker, US 17 at the Ogeechee River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

2. King's Bridge Marker, US 17 at the Ogeechee River

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rice Cultivation on the Ogeechee River (approx. 2.3 miles away); Richmond Hill Veterans Monument (approx. 2.4 miles away); Fort McAllister (approx. 2½ miles away); "Dead Town" of Hardwicke (approx. 2½ miles away); Courthouse Annex (approx. 2½ miles away); Jack Fleming Gregory, Senior (approx. 2½ miles away); Ways Station (approx. 2½ miles away); Robert E. Lee (approx. 2½ miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,575 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.