Fort gaines alabama history book

Anderson, of the 21st alabama infantry regiment, asked for terms but surrendered unconditionally two days afterward. The third was a confederate defense built during the civil war. In late january 1861, before the army completed construction of fort gaines and a few weeks after alabama seceded, alabama militia took over the notyetgarrisoned fort. Construction began in 1821 and was completed during the civil war with additional batteries added in the spanishamerican conflict. Fort gaines mobile bay, alabama contemporary photos of. Make this one of your stops on alabamas coastal connection. The project was afflicted with problems one of which was its cost and it wasnt until 1853 that work really started and it was mostly completed by 1861. Fort gaines is an alabama state park, and is located on the eastern tip of dauphin island, near mobile, alabama. Fort gaines historic site american battlefield trust. The fort also has the original cannons used in the battle, five precivil war brick buildings in. Fort gaines is a precivil war brick fortification built within feet of the gulf. Located on the eastern tip of dauphin island, the fort played an.

Coast defenses of mobile bay coastal fortifications on the gulf of mexico by andy bennett harbor defense of mobile bay fort wiki fort gaines state historic site 18191854 19261946, dauphin island national archives map previously called fort tombigbee 2. Fort gaines is one of the key sites in the famous battle of mobile bay where admiral farragut shouted his nowfamous order, damn the torpedoes. See more ideas about alabama, history and sweet home alabama. Three 6inch disappearing naval guns and three rapid fire 3inch naval guns were emplaced. This produced a tense stalemate in pensacola that rivaled that at charleston harbor, south carolina and fort sumter in the months before the civil war began there. Updated with podcast the ghosts of dauphin island have you. Alabama became the 22nd state join the union on december 14, 1819. Guided tours are done in period uniform which will bring history to life including cannon firing demonstration and blacksmithing. On a site where history spans three centuries, one can almost hear the sounds of cannons. Alabama course of study standards and ocean literacy principles. The town is located approximately sixtyfive miles south of columbus and fifty. Gordon granger landed on dauphin island on august 3, 1864, and moved against. During the civil war, however, neither installation halted union naval and land forces, failing to protect mobile bay from union admiral david farragut and his fleet. Fort gaines christmas through the ages living history event.

Abandoned for fort stoddert after the massacre at fort mims. Fort gaines dauphin island 2020 all you need to know. Fort gaines could not withstand the land investment, and the attack of the fleet combined. Fort gaines, alabama contributor names highsmith, carol m. Foley of chicago who bought land in the area in 1901 planning. See fort morgan and fort gaines, alabama and more on the civil war trail, a collection of civil war tours that details alabamas role in the civil war. Fort morgan state historic site, a national historic landmark, is now administered by the alabama historical commission. For more information, call fort gaines at 251 8616992. The fort was different for us visitors in that you could tell what the different areas and rooms had been used for. Fort gaines is an interesting example of a late third system fortification. The wellpreserved ramparts of fort gaines have guarded the entrance to mobile bay for more than 150 years.

Teach your children history by visiting alabamas past. Dec 11, 2019 construction on fort gaines began in 1819. At the end of world war i, the war department sold fort gaines to the state of alabama. Its prime location on the eastern tip of dauphin island commands panoramic views of the bay and the gulf of mexico and offers a chance to experience living history first hand. Fort gaines dauphin island 2020 what to know before you. Alabama legends fort gaines civil war era post located on the eastern tip of dauphin island, off the gulf coast of alabama, stand the wellpreserved ramparts of fort gaines which have guarded the entrance to mobile bay for more than 150.

Historic fort gaines, on alabamas dauphin island, is one of the best. It was activated briefly during world war ii and then returned to the state, which opened fort gaines as a state park in 1955. Although less elaborate than some of the earlier fortifications, it has many unique and interesting features. Bordered by tennessee to the north, georgia on the east, florida and the gulf of mexico on the south and mississippi on the west. Fort gaines archives of historical photos and material to more recent reenactors events. In his letters he made observations about fort gaines as well as the city of mobile. Fort gaines is a city in georgia, united states, with a population of 1,107 at the 2010 census. The fort was used by the alabama national guard and the u. The story of the 21st alabama infantry volunteers green, arthur e. A small museum, open daily, contains artifacts relating to the forts history. Historic fort gaines dauphin island, al, history archive. This famous quote was given by admiral farragut during the civil war battle of mobile bay. The fort gaines civil war highlight came on august 5, 1864, when the fort played a key role during the battle of mobile bay before. More information about the fort historic fort gaines.

These men fought at shiloh, fort morgan, fort gaines and spanish fort. This site offers articles on alabama s famous people, historic events, sports, art, literature, industry, government, plant and animal life, agriculture, recreation, and so much more. Now a historic site, the fort stands at the eastern tip of dauphin island where it commands panoramic views of the bay and the gulf of mexico. Also shows defenses of mobile bay, including use of torpedoes mines, spikes, and sunken logs.

This first book length, annotated edition of gaines reminiscences provides a fascinating glimpse into the early history of the mississippialabama territory and antebellum alabama. Construction of fort gaines alabama genealogy and history. Fort gaines welcomes the recreation of the time of the birth. The fort was recently designated as one of the eleven most endangered historic sites in america due. The two sections of the reminiscences of george strother gaines form one of the most important primary sources on the early history of alabama and mississippi. Since 1834 fort gaines has stood as the guardian of mobile bay, alabama. Fort gaines was in active use during the battle of mobile bay during the civil war, and later served in world wars i and ii. The historic fort gaines gift shop has an excellent selection of history books and other.

The doy leale mccall rare book and manuscript library, the historic mobile preservation society. Fort morgan forts morgan and gaines, located on opposite sides of the mobile channel at the entrance to mobile bay, were built in the early years of alabamas statehood by the federal government to protect the coastline. Forts on the national register of historic places in alabama. Popular alabama history books goodreads share book. Most of the work on the fort was completed by 1861. The unit was stationed at or near mobile throughout the war and participated in the conflicts at forts gaines and morgan, spanish fort, and fort blakely. Welcome to your free, online resource on alabama history, culture, geography, and natural environment. There were, of course, other heroes, little ones who did little things to help people get through. Fort gaines provides guided tours for groups of 15 people are more with at least two.

It has been ranked among the finest examples of masonry star fort architecture of the nineteenth century. Fort gaines 6 a war of 1812 fort at plattsburg, new york. It took place in the mobile bay area of alabama as part of the larger battle of mobile bay, and resulted in the surrender of the fort and its defenders. Interactive fort gaines layout select any forts features for description civil war preservation trust names fort gaines as among nations top 10 endangered civil war sites. The collection also contains military orders and other papers related to. The military site and national historic landmark is located 22 miles west of gulf shores. Fort gaines is a massive brick fort that stood guard over the entrance to mobile bay, alabama. Apr 02, 2020 two days later, alabama and florida state militias occupied fort barrancas, fort mcree, the advanced redoubt, and the pensacola navy yard.

Similar to front toulouses frontier days, but not as crowded, colonial days recreate the time before a completely settled america. Fort gaines contained 26 guns, and a garrison of about 600 men during the civil war and today it is considered by many to be the most haunted spot on dauphin island. Fort gaines civil war era post historic preservation. Excerpts from book history of alabama and dictionary of alabama biography, vol 1 harvard college library, pub 1921. Completed in 1834, the fort is most famous for its role in the battle of mobile bay. Reenactors from all over alabama and the nation joined with the history museum of mobile and fort gaines on a cold saturday morning in march to create colonial days. Confederate forces finally finished it in 1862 and garrisoned it with approximately 400 troops. Fort gaines is an historic fort on dauphin island, alabama, united states. This site offers articles on alabamas famous people, historic events, sports, art, literature, industry, government, plant and animal life, agriculture, recreation, and so much more. A regional view of mobile and environs, encompassing mobile, blakely, spanish fort, alabama city, williamsburg, fort morgan, fort gaines, and fort orwell. Fort gaines historic site 51 bienvile blvd, dauphin island, alabama 36528 rated 4. During the civil war, however, neither installation halted union naval and land forces, failing to protect mobile bay from union admiral david farragut. The present town of fort gaines was founded in 1816 as protection against the indigenous creeks and prospered due to riverboat trade. Kaetz, auburn university foley is located in southwest alabama in baldwin county.

Ghosts of many wars roam the historic forts of mobile. This allows the forts to control the main channel to the bay, keeping the land, ports, and supply ships safe from enemy fire. Across the main channel from fort morgan on dauphin island was fort gaines. Fort mims state historic site fort mims restoration association 18, tensaw. The fort has original cannons, a blacksmith shop, kitchens, a museum, gift shop, and tunnels. The city in turn gave the property to the alabama department of conservation, which deeded it to the dauphin island park and beach board. An excellent museum portrays the history of dauphin island including its french colony in the 1600s and its role as capital of the louisiana territory. With 64 officers and men, it surrendered on 4 may 1865. A settlers fort on the alabama river two miles southeast of fort mims, built by john and william pierce. The united states sold fort gaines to the city of mobile in 1926.

Today the stories of the forts days in battle, and the soldiers encamped there, are brought to life daily. Like a great novel, there are many plot twists, characters, places and events. The fort gainess museum contains civil warera historical documents and photographs as well as the history of french colonial presence beginning in the late. The role of fort gaines in the battle of mobile bay, one of the wars most notable naval conflicts, is detailed in our history tour guide. This interpretive sign is located at fort gaines, alabama on dauphin island. Construction on fort morgans twin was halted in 1821 after only limited work on the citadel.

Updated with podcast the ghosts of dauphin island have. The role of fort gaines in the battle of mobile bay is detailed in exhibits and signs throughout the fort. Site, a national historic landmark, is now administered by the alabama historical. Historic fort gaines in clay county, georgia, was the scene of three 19th century georgia forts. Fort gaines historic site on daughin island, alabama was etched in to the annals of civil war history as the site of the battle of mobile bay.

Image result for history of foley al book see more. The fort also has the original cannons used in the battle, five precivil war brick buildings in the interior courtyard, operational blacksmith shop and kitchens, tunnel systems to the fortified corner bastions, and similar features. Established in 1821, it is best known for its role in the battle of mobile bay during the american civil war. Oct 05, 2011 the role of fort gaines in the battle of mobile bay is detailed in exhibits and signs throughout the fort. Propecia average cost dauphin island park and beach. Fort gaines, alabama civil war era post legends of america. From the montgomery inauguration of confederate president jefferson davis in 1861 to fort morgan and fort gaines protecting mobile bay, alabama has numerous civil war sites to ignite any childs curiosity about the war, the politics behind the states secession from the union and.

Historic fort gaines is one of the key sites in the famous battle of mobile bay where admiral farragut shouted his nowfamous order, damn the torpedoes. On the west, fort gaines sits on the easternmost end of dauphin island. Surround yourself with history at this unique fort located on the beautiful gulf of mexico. Alabama cities, counties, folklore, history and travel. A brief history of the 21st alabama infantry volunteers, an appendix and a. It was attached to the department of the gulf, and after january, 1864, the department of alabama, mississippi, and east louisiana. Established to defend the narrow entrance to mobile bay, alabama along with fort morgan 1. Fort gaines is currently under the management of the dauphin island park and beach board and events are scheduled throughout the year. What brought fort gaines great success is being coupled with its brother, fort morgan, which is located on the opposite peninsula. Morgan and discovered that there was a sister fort across.

In his letters he made observations about fort gaines as well as the city of mobile in the spring of 1865. Fort gaines is a historic city on the chattahoochee river in southwest georgia. The siege of fort gaines occurred between august 3 and 8, 1864, during the american civil war. Redoubt bristling with heavy guns as at spanish fort. Fort morganforts morgan and gaines, located on opposite sides of the mobile channel at the entrance to mobile bay, were built in the early years of alabama s statehood by the federal government to protect the coastline. Mobile, alabama guide to history collections in mobile. Founded as a frontier fort, fort gaines was a major riverboat port during the 19th century and is known for its historic antebellum homes and unique historic sites. Historic fort gaines dauphin island town of dauphin island. It has been called one of the best preserved examples of 19thcentury brick seacoast fortifications in the east. Discover historic fort gaines guardian of mobile bay malaga inn.

On a site where history spans three centuries, one can almost hear the sounds of cannons firing, echoing the distant past, while looking out over the gulf. Reservations for fort gaines will be made by the dauphin island sea lab scheduling coordinator. The city of mobile was abandoned by the confederates on the night of april 1120th, 1865. Fort gaines history encylopedia of alabama excerpts from book history of alabama and dictionary of. Exhibits include the huge anchor from uss hartford, admiral david farraguts flagship on which he gave his worldfamous command, damn the torpedoes full speed ahead. Originally part of the fifth land district of early county, clay county was created in 1854 by an act of the state legislature, which also made fort gaines the county seat. In 1898 the fort was further modified as a result of the spanishamerican conflict.