DECEMBER
13, 1864:
The Battle of Fort
McAllister:
Sherman has not yet
marched all the way to the sea. His one remaining obstacle is Fort McAllister,
commanding the approaches to the Ogeechee River. It is defended only by a token
force (not more than 250) but is surrounded by land mines, abatis, and other
obstacles from the landward side. Its guns threaten the Union flotilla
offshore. Sherman details 4,000 men to
take the fort. He confidently signals the U.S.S. DANDELION that the fort will
be out of action in 15 minutes. It actually does not take that long. Although
175 men are wounded or killed rushing the defenses, and although the defenders
pour fire down on them, overwhelming numbers tell. The Confederates, having
shot their bolt, surrender. Sherman has reached the sea, and now he controls
the approaches to Savannah.
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