Fort Powell (1)

Fort Powell (1) (1862-1864) - A Confederate fortification established in 1862 during the U.S. Civil War in Mobile Bay, Mobile County, Alabama. Destroyed and abandoned in 1864.

Fort Powell 10" Columbiad Marker	File:.jpg Fort Powell
Fort Powell 10" Columbiad Rifled to 6.4" Located in Downtown Mobile

Fort Powell (1) History

Fort Powell was located on a shell island at Grant's Pass in Mobile Bay. The fort was not complete but would mount 5 rifled guns, 5 field howitzers and 2 long range guns. The emplacements were connected to the central magazine by tunnels.

On 5 Aug 1864 the fort was shelled from the rear (Mobile Bay) at short range by the Union gunboat Chickasaw. The fort commander, Ltc James M. Williams, alarmed by the ferocity of the shelling, received permission to abandoned the fort. He left behind Lieutenants Savage and Jeffers to spike the guns and blow up the magazine. The order was given at 10:30 PM and Fort Powell was blown up. The fort was destroyed but the guns were not and they were captured by the Union forces.

Current Status

In Mobile Bay, Mobile County, Alabama

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Location: Mobile Bay, Mobile County, Alabama. Maps & Images Lat: 30.31111 Long: -88.13750 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 3'

Sources:

• 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 13

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Powell

Visited: Area 28 Dec 2011

Fort Powell (1) Picture Gallery

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