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

A Devastating Bombardment

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 30, 2019

1. A Devastating Bombardment Marker

Inscription.
April 10, 1862: The Confederates refused a formal demand to surrender because enemy guns were a mile away—more than twice the effective range of heavy artillery of the day. When Union troops opened fire, their new rifled cannons fired spinning projectiles that bored through the masonry walls with alarming effect. By noon on the second day, the southeast angle gapped open and continued bombardment threatened the main powder magazine. Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, the Confederate commander surrendered.

(photo captions)
• For two months, Union troops built 11 artillery batteries along the shore of Tybee Island.
• Rifled cannons on Tybee Island caused massive damage to the fort.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 10, 1862.

Location. 32° 1.586′ N, 80° 53.403′ 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, atop the rampart at the southeast corner 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

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Federal Siege Batteries (here, next to this marker); Through the Thick Brick Wall (a few steps from this marker); Fort at Play (within shouting distance of this marker); Store House (within shouting distance of this marker); 5,275 Shots & Shells in 30 Hours (within shouting distance of this marker); Southwest Bastion (within shouting distance of this marker); Southwest Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker); Shifting Shoreline (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tybee Island.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Battle for Fort Pulaski

Also see . . . Battle for Fort Pulaski. At noon [on April 10, 1862] observers on Tybee counted 47 scars on the south flank and southeast face of the fort, and it was already obvious that several of the embrasures were considerably enlarged. At the end of the day to observers on Tybee, the fort, notwithstanding its dents and scars, looked nearly as solid and capable of resistance as when fire was opened in the morning. Had Gillmore [the Union Commander] been able to inspect the fort at the end of the first day, he would have had reason to rejoice. The place was in shambles. Nearly all of the barbette guns and mortars

A Devastating Bombardment Marker (<i>wide view • parapet behind marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 30, 2019

2. A Devastating Bombardment Marker (wide view • parapet behind marker)

bearing upon Tybee had been dismounted and only two of the five casemate guns were in order. At the southeast angle, the whole wall from the crest of the parapet to the moat was flaked away to a depth of from 2 to 4 feet. (Submitted on May 22, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

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 194 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 22, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.