Fort Jackson

Although it was sunny, it was a cold visit to Fort Jackson during the break.   This fort was originally built as a mud fort to protect Savannah from invasion with the intent on guarding the mouth of the Savannah River to the Atlantic Ocean.   Unfortunately for the original soldiers posted there, the mud fort was a ripe breeding ground for diseases such as malaria.   Many of the soldiers died, thus the fort was unable to protect Savannah from British invasion during the Revolutionary War.   Savannah fell and Georgia became the only colony to fall back into British control.  

The Savannah River is in the background.

The tents are what the soldiers would have used for sleeping in the original mud fort.

Soldiers teaching youngsters how to drum and march.

Looking through the outer wall of the rebuilt fort.

The powder room.

Big cannons overlooking the river.

A huge ship going up the river right in front of the fort.

The huge ship going by...demonstrating the importance to protect Savannah from ship atack during wars.

Holding a rammer and swabber used to load the cannons.

Demonstating how the mud fort soldiers would have defended the city.

Before the Civil War, the fort was rebuilt and became a fort for the Confederate Army.   The new fort was built as it is now, out of stone.   When we visited, two soldiers demonstrated cannons being fired across the river.   Very involved with many steps and very loud.   We are sure the soldiers either wore ear protection or lost their hearing.