Fort McAllister, GA II

Date(s): December 13, 1864

Location: Please click on link below for map.

Campaign(s): Savannah Campaign [1864]  

Battles in Campaign:

Situation:

Commanders:

• Union: Brig. Gen. William B. Hazen

• Confederate: Maj. George A. Anderson

Principal Forces:

• Union: 2nd Division, XV Corps, Army of the Tennessee ]

• Confederate: Fort McAllister Garrison (120 men)

Description:

• As Sherman’ s troops approached Savannah they sorely required supplies.

• Sherman determined that if he could take Fort McAllister, supply ships could reach him.

• Thus, he ordered Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard, commander of his right wing, to take the fort. Howard chose Brig. Gen. William B. Hazen to accomplish the task.

• Hazen, in the afternoon of December 13, had his men in line for the attack.

• Upon giving the order to attack, his men rushed forward through the various obstacles prepared for them, entered the fort, and captured it.

• With his supply line open, Sherman could now prepare for the siege and capture of Savannah.

Slide Presentation:

Classification²: B

Casualties³:

• Union: 134

• Confederate: 71

Results: Union Victory

Battlefield Website:

• Fort McAllister State Historic Park

Recommended Resources:

¹ National Park Service summary.

² Classification:

• A - having a decisive influence on a campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war

• B - having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign

• C - having observable influence on the outcome of a campaign

• D - having a limited influence on the outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important local objectives

³ Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.

Revised 08/10/2008