Fort McAllister, Confederate earthwork fortification in Richmond Hill, Georgia.
Fort McAllister is an earthwork fort from the Civil War era, built along the Ogeechee River in Richmond Hill, Georgia. It features cannon positions, bombproof shelters, and a furnace used to heat iron shot, all still visible in their original locations.
The fort was built in 1861 to protect Savannah from the sea and held off several warship attacks before Union infantry captured it in December 1864 during the March to the Sea. Its capture opened the way for General Sherman to take Savannah.
The sources do not record where the fort's name comes from; the McAllister family home stood nearby and served as Union headquarters after the fort fell. The museum displays many artifacts, and the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (#70000197).
The fort sits inside a state park that also offers camping, walking trails, and a boat ramp on the river. Arriving early in the day gives you time to walk the earthworks at your own pace, since the outdoor areas are open and easy to explore on foot.
Despite withstanding repeated naval bombardment during the war, the fort was never taken from the sea but fell to infantry soldiers who rushed the walls on foot from the land side. The assault lasted less than 15 minutes, according to accounts from those present.
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