Mud and Blood in Savannah

A simplified history of the battles and forts of Savannah, GA

The city of savannah was originally constructed in 1733, and has seen a variety of battles and military achievements throughout its history. One of the first recorded battles was the battle of Brewton Hill on Wilmington island during the Revolutionary war in December 1778. The battle ended with a British victory and the capture of the city.

In September of 1779, the American and French forces attempted to retake the city from the British. This was called the siege of savannah, and it lasted only until October, when the allies were routed with heavy casualties, whilst the British lost only a few dozen.

After the war ended, savannah saw the construction of old fort Jackson in 1808, which defended savannah during the war of 1812.

When the civil war began, The surrounding forts including fort Jackson and fort Pulaski. In 1862, fort Pulaski was taken by Union troops after a short battle, leaving Savannah only with the newly-built Fort McAllister and fort Jackson. In 1864, Sherman began his march to the sea. When he reached Savannah, he had around 64,000 men, outnumbering the confederates nearly six to one. The 10,000 confederate defenders escaped and retreated across the savannah river, leaving the city exposed to riots, crime, and looting. When union troops marched into downtown, they became the doctors, policemen, and firefighters to end the mass rioting and crime.

In 1898 during the Spanish-American war, Forsyth park became a campground for over 13,000 American troops waiting to be shipped off to fight in Cuba. During this time, the city allowed the construction of the Savannah powder magazine, commonly known as the “Savannah castle.”

The building has been abandoned since the 1950s, but it can still be found off Ogeechee road, waiting to be explored.

The scars all these wars left behind can still be found all across savannah. Just by walking across a field with a metal detector, one can pick up a few bullets or even belt buckles. Many of these treasures can be found at the Webb Military Museum on York Street. But much like a real person, these scars come to define and mold the city into its beauty that it's known for today.