Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Story of Fort Howell
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, June 12, 2017
1. The Story of Fort Howell Marker
Inscription.
The Story of Fort Howell. . In the spring and summer of 1864, Union officers of the Department of the South on Hilton Head Island became concerned about retaining sufficient troops and equipment to defend Hilton Head, as units were being transferred to participate in campaigns elsewhere, particularly in Virginia and Georgia, where General William Tecumseh Sherman’s army had attacked Atlanta in the spring of 1864. Commanders on Hilton Head worried that the Confederates would engage in raids or more serious attacks on the island, especially on the new freedman’s village of Mitchelville. Major General John G. Foster ordered Captain Charles R. Suter, Chief of Engineers in the Department of the South, to build an earthwork fort for the purpose of defending Mitchelville and Hilton Head. The pentagonal earthwork was designed to defend the two main approaches to Mitchelville from the southwest and southeast. , , Fort Howell did not see action, and was abandoned at wars end. One of the best preserved Civil War earthen forts in South Carolina, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011, and was designated as a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site by the National Park Service in 2013.
In the spring and summer of 1864, Union officers of the Department of the South on Hilton Head Island became concerned about retaining sufficient troops and equipment to defend Hilton Head, as units were being transferred to participate in campaigns elsewhere, particularly in Virginia and Georgia, where General William Tecumseh Sherman’s army had attacked Atlanta in the spring of 1864. Commanders on Hilton Head worried that the Confederates would engage in raids or more serious attacks on the island, especially on the new freedman’s village of Mitchelville. Major General John G. Foster ordered Captain Charles R. Suter, Chief of Engineers in the Department of the South, to build an earthwork fort for the purpose of defending Mitchelville and Hilton Head. The pentagonal earthwork was designed to defend the two main approaches to Mitchelville from the southwest and southeast.
Fort Howell did not see action, and was abandoned at wars end. One of the best preserved Civil War earthen forts in South Carolina, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011, and was designated as a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site by the National Park Service in 2013.
Erected by Hilton Head Island Land Trust.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic
Location. 32° 13.968′ N, 80° 41.647′ W. Marker is on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. Memorial can be reached from Beach City Rd, 0.1 miles south of Dillon Rd.. Marker is located inside Fort Howell Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 160 Beach City Rd, Hilton Head Island SC 29926, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Marker Detail: Period map of Hilton Head Island
Sectional Map shows location of Fort Howell as a defense of the island and Mitchelville.
to a covered pavilion located within the Park
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, June 12, 2017
3. Marker Detail: Enlarged map section depicting Fort Howell
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, June 12, 2017
4. Marker Detail: National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom
Fort Howell received this designation by the National Park Service in 2013
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, June 12, 2017
5. The Story of Fort Howell marker
Marker located within a covered pavilion inside Fort Howell Historic Park
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, June 12, 2017
6. Fort Howell Historic Park Entrance Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 6, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.