Fort McAllister

Fort McAllister, built in 1861-62 on the Great Ogeechee River 4.5 miles east of this site, guarded the "back door" to Savannah. During 1862-63, it repulsed seven attacks by armored vessels, some mounting 15-inch guns. On Dec. 13, 1864, its small garrison of 230 Georgians was overwhelmed by Hazen's Division, 15th Corps [US], which had marched via this road. Its fall opened the Ogeechee to Union vessels loaded with supplies for Gen. Sherman's army that had been lying in Tybee Roads and Port Royal Sound, and a wharf and depot were built at King's Bridge on US 17 to distribute these supplies to the invading forces.

Georgia · United States