Fort Pulaski, located near Savannah, Georgia, is best known for a dramatic Civil War battle that forever changed military engineering. But behind its brick walls lies a lesser-known story of innovation, labor, and resilience that deserves the spotlight.
Brick Walls vs. New Weapons
In the early 1800s, forts like Pulaski were considered nearly indestructible. Built with thick masonry walls and surrounded by swamps and waterways, they were designed to withstand traditional smoothbore cannons. When Fort Pulaski was completed in 1847, no one could have predicted how quickly new technology would make such structures obsolete.
That all changed during the Civil War. By 1861, Confederate troops had taken control of the fort. But in April 1862, Union forces launched a bold assault using rifled cannons—a new type of artillery that could fire more accurately and penetrate thick walls from much greater distances.
The results shocked everyone. In just 30 hours, the Union Army breached Fort Pulaski’s walls from over a mile away—a feat military experts once thought impossible. The Confederates surrendered, and with that, the era of brick fortresses was effectively over.
A Fort with Layers of History
While the battle is the most famous chapter in Fort Pulaski’s story, the site has a rich and complex history. Before the war, a nearby settlement known as the Workers’ Village housed laborers who built the fort. These workers lived in harsh conditions and left behind few written records, but archaeology is helping fill in the gaps.
Later, the village served as a hospital, a temporary refuge for self-emancipated African Americans (called “contrabands” during the war), and even a home for military families. Unfortunately, a powerful hurricane in 1881 wiped out the entire village, erasing most physical evidence—until recently.
Digging Up Forgotten Stories
Archaeologists conducted two field seasons of excavation to uncover the hidden history of the Workers’ Village. They dug 21 large units and 11 smaller test pits, revealing over 21,000 artifacts that tell the stories of laborers, mechanics, and cooks.
These finds include everyday items like tools, cooking pots, and personal belongings. Together, they paint a picture of the people who built and supported Fort Pulaski—many of whom remain nameless in the official record.
The Lasting Impact
The fall of Fort Pulaski wasn’t just a turning point in the Civil War—it marked a revolution in military strategy. The successful use of rifled artillery during the siege proved that traditional masonry forts were no longer effective, pushing nations worldwide to rethink their defenses.
Today, Fort Pulaski National Monument stands not only as a reminder of a critical battle but also as a place where layered stories—of war, innovation, labor, and survival—continue to be uncovered.
Until Next Time, Knowledge Is Power
