Battle of Fort McAllister II

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Fort McAllister
partof=the American Civil War


caption=
date=December 13, 1864
place=Bryan County, Georgia
result=Union victory
combatant1= flagicon|USA|1863 United States (Union)
combatant2= flagicon|CSA|1863 CSA (Confederacy)
commander1=William B. Hazen
commander2=George A. Anderson
strength1=2nd Division, XV Corps, Army of the Tennessee
strength2=Fort McAllister Garrison of 230 men
casualties1=134
casualties2=71

The Second Battle of Fort McAllister took place December 13, 1864, during the final stages of Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's March to the Sea during the American Civil War. Union forces overwhelmed a small Confederate force defending the strategically important Fort McAllister near Savannah, Georgia, a major Federal objective.

As Sherman's armies neared Savannah on December 10, following their lengthy march from Atlanta, his troops were in need of supplies. Just off the coast was Admiral John A. Dahlgren's fleet waiting with the needed supplies, as well as mail that had not been delivered to Sherman's men for six weeks during their march. However, Confederate fortifications around Savannah prevented Dahlgren from linking up with Sherman. As Sherman deployed his forces to invest Savannah, his cavalry reconnoitered Fort McAllister and other nearby fortifications, and determined that the lightly defended fort could be taken by a determined infantry attack. Sherman realized that if Fort McAllister was reduced, the Union Army would control the Ogeechee River, providing an avenue to the sea. Sherman ordered Maj. Gen. Oliver Otis Howard's Army of the Tennessee to reduce the fort. Howard chose the division commanded by Brig. Gen. William B. Hazen to lead the attack.

On December 13, 1864, Hazen's 4,000-man division was deployed to storm the fort. Sherman and Howard climbed to an observation platform erected on top of an abandoned rice mill to observe the progress. Hazen formed his division in the surrounding woods. As the sun was setting, a Union Navy ship steamed into view from Ossabaw Sound. Sherman signalled that the fort was still in enemy hands but would be reduced in a minute. Just then Hazen emerged from the woods and advanced towards the fort. Confederate Major George Anderson commanded about 230 veteran troops in Fort McAllister. Hazen's troops charged through the abatis and buried torpedoes and within 15 minutes had reached the parapet and overwhelmed the defenders.

Sherman was overjoyed with the victory and rowed down the Ogeechee to view the fort. The next day he rowed out to Dahlgren's flagship to greet the admiral. Sherman also had reason to be proud of the troops that had taken part in the victory at Fort McAllister. It was the same division that Sherman had personally led at Shiloh and belonged to the same corps he led at Vickburg.

With his supply line now open, Sherman could now prepare for the siege and capture of Savannah, a goal he would achieve by Christmas.

ee also

* First Battle of Fort McAllister

References

* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/ga028.htm National Park Service battle description]
* Nevin, David, "Sherman's March: Atlanta to the Sea", Time Life Books.

External links

* [http://www.gastateparks.org/info/ftmcallister/ Fort McAllister Historic Park]
* [http://www.ourgeorgiahistory.com/wars/Civil_War/ftmcallister.html Our Georgia History]