Fort Pulaski National Monument!

What Is Fort Pulaski National Monument?

Fort Pulaski preserves the shell-riddled coastal fort where rifled artillery was first put to use!

What Makes It Historical?

Named for Polish war hero turned American revolutionary, Casimir Pulaski, Fort Pulaski was one of over 40 coastal fortifications installed in the wake of the War of 1812! It was built over the course of 18 years, between 1829 and 1847, and while it began as a US fort, it was seized by the State of Georgia in 1860, then transferred to the Confederate States of America in February of 1861.

But the Confederacy didn’t think too much about this remote area. They abandoned nearby Tybee Island in December 1861, which gave the Union Army the perfect opportunity to set up batteries across the Savannah River from Fort Pulaski! Under the command of Quincy A. Gillmore, they brought out 36 brand new James Rifled Cannon and Parrott rifles—the first rifled artillery to be used in war—and bombarded Fort Pulaski for 30 hours with 5,275 shells! These shells were hitting close enough to the powder magazine that ultimately, Colonel Charles H. Olmstead surrendered Fort Pulaski before it blew up!

Once secured by the Union, it took six weeks to repair the fort, which crippled Confederate shipping out of Savannah! General David Hunter then issued General Order No. 7, freeing any slave who could reach Cockspur Island and making Fort Pulaski an important destination on the Underground Railroad. It would also serve as a prison for Confederate officers, senators, multiple governors, and “the Immortal 600,” a large group of prisoners famously kept in squalor!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
Volunteer at Fort Pulaski National Monument!
Donate to Fort Pulaski National Monument!
Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!