Thursday, November 07, 2013

Ft. Jackson--no protection against mosquitoes!

The original Fort Jackson was built out of dirt and wood right on a swamp.   It was an island fort posted along the Savannah River at the narrowest point.   Unfortunately the soldiers kept on catching Malaria, Yellow Fever and any other mosquito spread disease and left the fort right before the British Army sailed up the river and took Savannah during the Revolutionary Wary.   This enabled the colony of Georgia to be taken back by the British thus giving them a southern foothold where they could attack the rest of the colonies.

The replacement fort was Ft. Pulaski which was a modern fort built in the Pentagon style with many cannons and thick fortified walls.   It was thought Ft. Jackson would be not used again for protection.   However, Ft. Pulaski fell during the Civil War and was captured from the Rebel Army and was under Union control once again.   Ft. Jackson remained Savannah's protection.   It did not fall until Savannah fell from Sherman's Army marching from the land side.   

Quarters for living.

Bunk beds

History.

Model of the fort.

The view from the upper wall.   Dirt was on the outside of the all protecting from fire from boats.

Artillery Specialists talks about the protection the fort provided along the Savannah River. 

Small cannons were used to protect the corner areas and were movable to position them out different windows.

Demonstrating the commands.

Helpers showed how a four soldier crew would load a cannon.  No real powder was loaded at this point.   

We were all moved back for the actual shooting of the cannon.

The entrance.

The wall and the moat and mosquitos

Many mosquitoes attacked us while we visited.   We could understand why the soldiers would want to leave with these pests continually biting!


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