Fort Morgan (1): Difference between revisions
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[[World War II]] it was returned to the State of Alabama after the end of [[World War II]]. | [[World War II]] it was returned to the State of Alabama after the end of [[World War II]]. | ||
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[[Image:FortMorgan AL NARA 1864.jpg|360px|thumb|left|Damage to South Side of Fort Morgan 1864]] | [[Image:FortMorgan AL NARA 1864.jpg|360px|thumb|left|Damage to South Side of Fort Morgan, 1864]] | ||
[[Image:FortMorgan Moat AL 1864.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Fort Morgan Bastions & | [[Image:FortMorgan Moat AL 1864.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Fort Morgan Bastions & Ditch, 1864]] | ||
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== {{PAGENAME}} History == | == {{PAGENAME}} History == | ||
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For several months in 1837 the fort housed over 3000 Indians who were being relocated from the Montgomery area to the Indian Territory now known as Oklahoma. | For several months in 1837 the fort housed over 3000 Indians who were being relocated from the Montgomery area to the Indian Territory now known as Oklahoma. | ||
==[[U.S. Civil War]]== | ==[[U.S. Civil War]]== | ||
At the beginning of the [[U.S. Civil War]] in 1861 the Alabama State Militia seized both [[Fort Gains]] and Fort Morgan from Federal troops. Fort Morgan remained in Confederate hands until 23 Aug 1864 when it was surrendered after the Battle of Mobile Bay to a Union fleet commanded by Adm. [[David Farragut]]. The Confederate defenders managed to sink the Federal monitor Tecumseh in the battle and the fort sustained more than 3000 cannon ball impacts on 22 Aug before surrendering on 23 Aug. The Battle of Mobile Bay was the occasion for Adm. Farragut's famous order, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead", referring to torpedoes strung across the channel into Mobile Bay. | At the beginning of the [[U.S. Civil War]] in 1861 the Alabama State Militia seized both [[Fort Gains]] and Fort Morgan from Federal troops. Fort Morgan remained in Confederate hands until 23 Aug 1864 when it was surrendered after the Battle of Mobile Bay to a Union fleet commanded by Adm. [[David Farragut]]. The Confederate defenders managed to sink the Federal monitor Tecumseh in the battle and the fort sustained more than 3000 cannon ball impacts on 22 Aug before surrendering on 23 Aug. The Battle of Mobile Bay was the occasion for Adm. Farragut's famous order, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!", referring to torpedoes strung across the channel into Mobile Bay. | ||
After the [[U.S. Civil War]] the garrison was withdrawn and the fort was placed in caretaker status 31 Dec 1867. | |||
==[[:Category:Endicott Period Forts|Endicott Period]]== | ==[[:Category:Endicott Period Forts|Endicott Period]]== | ||
In March of 1898 the fort was reactivated and garrisoned by Battery I, [[1st U.S. Artillery]] in anticipation of the [[Spanish American War]] and as a result of the explosion that sunk the Battleship Maine in Havana Harbor 15 Feb 1898. Construction began on the first [[:Category:Endicott Period Forts|Endicott Period]] battery, Battery Bowyer in 1898, a total of six [[:Category:Endicott Period Forts|Endicott Period]] batteries were built between 1898 and 1901. Only Battery Duportail was built inside the Fort Morgan walls. The Spanish American War was quickly over but the strengthening of coastal defenses continued. | |||
{{FortMorganEndicott}} | {{FortMorganEndicott}} | ||
==[[World War II]]== | ==[[World War II]]== | ||
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== Current Status == | == Current Status == | ||
State | State Park operated by the Alabama Historical Commission. | ||
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[[Category:Preserved]] | [[Category:Preserved]] | ||
[[Category:National Historic Site]] | [[Category:National Historic Site]] | ||
[[Category:State Park]] | |||
Revision as of 14:41, 1 March 2008
Fort Morgan (1) (1819-194?) - Construction began in 1819 and continued until 1834 on this Third System Masonry fort designed by Simon Bernard. Named after Revolutionary War hero Daniel Morgan in 1833. Abandoned after World War I and reactivated during
World War II it was returned to the State of Alabama after the end of World War II.
Fort Morgan (1) History
Established to defend the narrow entrance to Mobile Bay, Alabama.
Fort Morgan was constructed of brick as a regular pentagon with bastions at each of the five corners and a large ten sided citadel in the center. The three tiered citadel housed the troops and was the largest of any Third System fort. The sea coast batteries were mounted on the two primary and two secondary fronts of the fort. Other land batteries were placed to protect against assault from the landward side. The entrance to the fort was a tunnel under the gorge protected at both ends by large doors.
For several months in 1837 the fort housed over 3000 Indians who were being relocated from the Montgomery area to the Indian Territory now known as Oklahoma.
U.S. Civil War
At the beginning of the U.S. Civil War in 1861 the Alabama State Militia seized both Fort Gains and Fort Morgan from Federal troops. Fort Morgan remained in Confederate hands until 23 Aug 1864 when it was surrendered after the Battle of Mobile Bay to a Union fleet commanded by Adm. David Farragut. The Confederate defenders managed to sink the Federal monitor Tecumseh in the battle and the fort sustained more than 3000 cannon ball impacts on 22 Aug before surrendering on 23 Aug. The Battle of Mobile Bay was the occasion for Adm. Farragut's famous order, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!", referring to torpedoes strung across the channel into Mobile Bay.
After the U.S. Civil War the garrison was withdrawn and the fort was placed in caretaker status 31 Dec 1867.
Endicott Period
In March of 1898 the fort was reactivated and garrisoned by Battery I, 1st U.S. Artillery in anticipation of the Spanish American War and as a result of the explosion that sunk the Battleship Maine in Havana Harbor 15 Feb 1898. Construction began on the first Endicott Period battery, Battery Bowyer in 1898, a total of six Endicott Period batteries were built between 1898 and 1901. Only Battery Duportail was built inside the Fort Morgan walls. The Spanish American War was quickly over but the strengthening of coastal defenses continued.
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Duportail | 2 | 12" | Disappearing | 1898-1900-1900-1931 | $ 172,646 | |
| Battery Dearborn | 8 | 12" | Mortar | 1900-1901-1901-1931 | $ 150,000 | 4 mortars removed in 1918 |
| Battery Bowyer | 4 | 8" | Disappearing | 1898-1898-1898-1917 | $ 187,812 | |
| Battery Thomas | 2 | 4.7" | Armstrong | 1898-1899-1899-1917 | $ 15,000 | |
| Battery Schenck (2) | 2 1 |
3" 3" |
Masking Parapet Pedestal Mount |
1900-1923 1900-1923 |
$ 9,000 $ 7,966 |
|
| Battery Experimental | 1 | 10" | Disappearing | 1916-1918 | $ ? | Test conducted 13-14 Mar 1916 |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
World War II
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery 155 - Fort Morgan | 2 3 |
155mm 155mm |
Mobile on Panama Mount Mobile in Field Positions |
1942-1944 | $ ? | 1 Panama Mount Visible No Trace |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
Current Status
State Park operated by the Alabama Historical Commission.
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Location: Mobile Point, Alabama Maps & Images Lat: 30.228073 Long: -88.022944 |
Sources:
- Weaver, John R. II, A Legacy in Brick and Stone: America Coastal Defense Forts of the Third System, Redoubt Press, McLean, 2001, First Printing, ISBN 1-57510-069-X, page 171-175
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 10-12
Links:
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