Siege of Fort Pulaski

Battle of Fort Pulaski
Part of the American Civil War
Fort Pulaski under fire April 10–11, 1862. The effect of the Union's innovative Parrott Rifle cannon and percussion shells.
Date April 10–11, 1862 Location Chatham County, Georgia Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Samuel F. DuPont (Navy) David Hunter (Army) Quincy A. Gillmore (Siege)	Robert E. Lee (Army) Josiah Tattnall (Navy) Charles H. Olmstead (Fort)
Units involved
Department of the South South Atlantic Squadron 15 warships, 36 transports Tybee Island besiegers 10,000 officers and men 36 guns of all calibers 5 Parrotts, 5 James rifles	Dept. of SC, Ga., Florida Savannah River Sqdrn 3 warships, 2 transports Fort Pulaski garrison 385 officers and men 48 guns of all calibers 2 Blakely rifled cannons
Casualties and losses
1 killed several wounded	several mortally wounded 363 captured

Department of the South
South Atlantic Squadron
15 warships, 36 transports

Dept. of SC, Ga., Florida
Savannah River Sqdrn
3 warships, 2 transports

The Siege of Fort Pulaski (or the Siege and Reduction of Fort Pulaski) concluded with the Battle of Fort Pulaski fought April 10–11, 1862, during the American Civil War. Union forces on Tybee Island and naval operations conducted a 112-day siege, then captured the Confederate-held Fort Pulaski after a 30-hour bombardment. The siege and battle are important for innovative use of rifled guns which made existing coastal defenses obsolete. The Union initiated large scale amphibious operations under fire.

The fort's surrender strategically closed Savannah as a port. The Union extended its blockade and aids to navigation down the Atlantic coast, then redeployed most of its 10,000 troops. The Confederate army-navy defense blocked Federal advance for over three months, secured the city, and prevented any subsequent Union advance from seaward during the war. Coastal rail connections were extended to blockaded Charleston, South Carolina.

Fort Pulaski is located on Cockspur Island, Georgia, near the mouth of the Savannah River. The fort commanded seaward approaches to the City of Savannah. It was commercially and industrially important as a cotton exporting port, railroad center and the largest manufacturing center in the state, including a state arsenal and private shipyards. Two southerly estuaries led to the Savannah River behind the fort. Immediately east of Pulaski, and in sight of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, lay Tybee Island with a lighthouse station.

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