Fort Pemberton

Fort Pemberton is a pentagonal earthwork fortification on James Island with multiple gun emplacements overlooking the Stono River and surrounding territory. Its design allowed defensive coverage from both water and land approaches to the structure.

Confederate forces built the fort in 1862 under General John C. Pemberton's command to reinforce Charleston's western defenses. It formed part of the broader effort to protect the strategically vital port city from invasion.

The fort was part of Charleston's broader defensive network and shows how Confederate forces used local geography in their military planning. The earthwork design still reveals how engineers thought about controlling and protecting the surrounding area.

The site is privately owned and visitors must obtain permission and coordinate with local historical societies before visiting. It's essential to arrange access in advance since the property is not regularly open to the public.

The fort held around 20 artillery pieces of varying sizes by October 1862, positioned to cover both water and land approaches. This mix of gun types gave defenders flexibility in responding to threats from different directions.