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Inside Fort Pulaski

When on the lower level of the fort, we walked thru the interior perimeter.  It was down here and above where a battle occurred in 1862.  At first, the Confederates were not alarmed, as Fort Pulaski was considered “invincible”.

Looking Out from In

What the fort’s garrison did not know was that the Union troops included 10 new experimental rifled cannons, whose projectiles began to bore thru Fort Pulaski’s walls with shattering effect.  Many considered the fort’s 7 ½ foot solid brick walls backed with massive masonry piers unbreachable.

Looking Down the Cannon Barrel

The result of this bombardment certainly called for a change in the construction of fortifications.  The strategy that had guided military leaders had to be revised to meet the threat of this new weapon of war. 

Arched Walkways

Here you can see how the cannons lined up in the interior portion of the fort.  It’s amazing to see all this potential firepower rendered almost useless in the defense of the fort.

Fort Pulaski Brig

Altho I couldn’t find any reference to confirm what this is an image of, I did overhear a tour group leader refer to this as a brig where prisoners were kept.  I guess it could also have been the quarters for some of the men – perhaps the officers of the fort.  In any event, much like the overconfidence of those involved with the building of the Titanic, the “invincible” Fort Pulaski proved to be anything but.

Enjoy!