The Capture of Fort Pulaski
After the War of 1812, the United States government began constructing a series of fortifications along the East and Gulf coasts to protect port cities from attack and to prevent strategic rivers from becoming...
Tagged: forts
David Farragut’s Report on the Passing of Forts Jackson and St. Philip and the Capture of New Orleans
New Orleans was the largest city in the Confederate States, and one of the CSA’s most important ports. For the Federals, capturing the Crescent City became a priority early in the war. Besides taking...
Lt. Col. Edward Hallowell’s Report on the 54th Massachusetts Infantry ‘s Assault on Fort Wagner
The July 18th, 1863 assault of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry upon Fort Wagner on Morris Island near Charleston, South Carolina, cemented that regiments place in history. The 54th led the attack on the fort...
Fort Brady Helped Keep Confederate Gunboats From Attacking Union Supply Bases During the Siege of Petersburg
In the summer of 1864, the Union Army settled into siege operations against Petersburg Virginia. Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant established his headquarters at City Point at the confluence of the James and Appomattox...
Federals Lose, Then Retake, Florida’s Fort Marion With No Shots Fired
Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida, was one of several masonry forts that were part of the coastal defenses of the United States. The Spanish, who controlled the area at the time, began building...
Colonel John M. Oliver’s Report on His Brigade’s Action in the Capture of Fort McAllister
On December 10th, 1864, the leading elements of Major General William T. Sherman’s army began to arrive at Savannah, Georgia, the final objective of his March to the Sea from Atlanta. Though Sherman had...
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Isaac Reeve Reports on the Surrender of His Command After the Secession of Texas
After the State of Texas adapted an ordinance of secession from the United States on February 1st, 1861, U.S. Army soldiers and cavalrymen at the various forts and garrisons scattered throughout the Lone Star...
General John Hartranft’s Report on the Battle of Fort Stedman
By late March of 1865, the Union siege of Petersburg, Virginia had reduced the Confederate defenders there nearly to desperation. Almost all supply lines had been cut and the Federals had more of everything–men,...