Fort McAllister, Confederate earthwork fortification in Richmond Hill, Georgia.
Fort McAllister is an earthwork fort with walls, cannon positions, bombproof shelters, and a heated shot furnace along the Ogeechee River. The fortification consists of layered earth walls and includes about 18 structural elements that show the complete layout of coastal defense.
The fort was built in 1861 and defended Savannah against repeated attacks by warships until it fell in 1864 during the March to the Sea. Attacking forces broke through coastal defenses while moving westward.
The museum displays uniforms, weapons, and personal items from soldiers that convey the daily reality of life in a coastal fort. Visitors can see soldier quarters and officers' rooms, showing how people lived here during the war.
The 1,700-acre park offers camping, boat access, and trails through salt marsh landscapes. Most visitors find it easiest to arrive early to explore the fort before crowds gather.
The fort's earth walls absorbed cannon fire in ways that solid stone structures could not, making it one of the most effective coastal defense designs of its time. This approach proved so successful that similar structures were later copied elsewhere.
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