Fort morgan and the battle of mobile bay book

The port was well situated for defence at the top of mobile bay, thirty miles from the sea. The national park service is modifying its operations on a parkbypark basis in accordance with. Fort morgan and dauphin island in alabama is a day trip of. And in august 1864, it played a huge role in the battle of mobile bay. By the summer of 1864 mobile, alabama, was one of the few confederate ports still available for blockade runners. Aug 04, 2014 gulf shores, alabama battle of mobile bay from fort morgan on august 2 and 3, 2014. Preceded by another fort, fort bowyer during the war of 1812, fort morgan is a third system masonry fort built between 1819 and 1833. Aboard a fort morgan charter boat, you will also see dolphins swimming in mobile bay and gulf of mexico including large numbers of pelicans and seagulls. In the late summer of 1864, a union combined armynavy force began operations to close mobile bay to blockaderunning vessels from the port city of mobile, alabama. It is the summer of 1864 and you are federal spies captured by the confederate soldiers. It was attacked during the battle of mobile bay during the civil war.

Dec 31, 2016 one of the states most haunted places is fort morgana historic masonry star fort thats located along the gulf coast at the mouth of mobile bay, alabama. The battle of mobile bay and siege of fort morgan baldwin county alabama. Today fort morgan is a testament to the evolution of american coast defense fortifications from 1834 to world. The entrance to the bay was narrow, and defended by a pair of forts fort gaines and fort morgan. Parkers original volume, entitled the battle of mobile bay. Fort morgan by bob england, jack friend, michael bailey. The trail is a guide to the military movements, famous civil war battles, including the battle of mobile bay, and life as it was lived during the war. Fort morgan, alabama stronghold of mobile bay legends. This is fort morgan roars back to life with reenactment commemorating the battle of mobile bay by alabama newscenter on vimeo, the home for high quality. One of the most haunted areas of fort morgan is the old barracks. The view of fort morgan dates just after its surrender. I picked up a book about naval battles in the war between the states and one of the sections was on the battle of mobile bay. The end result, completed and opened in march of 1834, was fort morgan.

Fort morgan has played many key roles in the nations military. If youre a newer angler, or want to hook a variety of tasty table fare, mobile bay is the place to be. The latter is official, as it is the plan which our artist drew for admiral farragut. The siege of fort morgan occurred during the american civil war, as part of the battle for mobile bay, in alabama u.

The battle of mobile bay naval history and heritage navy. The battle of mobile bay is the source of, damn the torpedoes. The trip between fort gaines on dauphin island and fort morgan at mobile point provides wonderful views of the two historic forts that have long guarded the entrance of mobile bay. The trip takes approximately 40 minutes and is a great way for passengers. Historic alabama civil war sites battle of mobile bay. Title fort morgan is a historic fort at the mouth of mobile bay, alabama contributor names highsmith, carol m. The trip between fort morgan, dauphin island and fort gaines at fort morgan provides wonderful views of the two historic forts that have long guarded the entrance of mobile bay. How admiral farragut got whipped in the first battle of. In 1946, the war department turned fort morgan over to the state of alabama.

The cornerstones of this defense were forts morgan 46 guns and gaines 26, which guarded the main channel into the bay. The battle of mobile bay annual commemoration get info. Jul 14, 2010 page 101 hearns mobile bay and the mobile campaign in summing up his decision, buchanan statedhaving the example before me of the blowing up of the merriac in the james river by our own officers, without a fight, and by being caught in such a trap, i determined, by an unexpected dash into the fleet, to attack and do it all the damage in. At the mouth of mobile bay, fort gaines was engaged by a union force of infantry 2,000 strong while fort morgan was attacked by farraguts 14 ships. Explore the fort and relive the civil war battle or catch a battle reenactment on the anniversary of the battle each year.

Early action favored the confederates when the ironclad monitor uss tecumseh hit a torpedo, sinking to the bottom of the bay with 94 men. The mobile bay ferry offers a quick route to dauphin island, and is a convenient way to cross the bay if you are traveling to mobile or even the gambling boats of biloxi. In this recap, chester hearn makes mention of the fact that in the second portion of the battle. In the battle of mobile bay, fort morgan suffered five casualties, while the union fleet had fiftytwo fatalities, in addition to the ninetythree sailors that went down with the tecumseh. Fort morgan the battle of mobile bay of august 5, 1864, was an engagement of the american civil war in which a union fleet commanded by rear admiral david g.

Fort morgan is at the tip of mobile point at the western terminus of state route 180. And the capture of forts powell, gaines and morgan, by the combined sea and land forces of the united states, under the command of rearadmiral david glasgow farragut, and majorgeneral gordon granger, august, 1864 included various materials in addition to parkers history. Occupying the strategic point where mobile bay meets the gulf of mexico, fort morgan played a critical role in the battle of mobile bay in august 1864 and was also used during the spanishamerican war, wwi and wwii. This is one of the most interesting ways to learn about the defenses of the mobile bay and is a definite mustdo for you and your family. Escape room fort morgan state historic site fort bowyer. Charters departing from the north of fort morgan usually offer half day. While the battle of mobile bay took place, the union set the fort on fire. As soon as the surrender of fort gaines was completed, granger moved his force from dauphin island to the narrow strip of mainland behind fort morgan, where they were landed without opposition about 4 mi 6. Things to do in gulf shores gulf shoresfort morgan. The first weekend in august, well be staying in gulf shores thanks to one of the great hot deals offered through brettrobinson vacations.

Tours of the masonry fort, completed in 1833, bring the past to vivid life in the present time. The battle of mobile bay was one of the most decisive battles of the war. May 01, 2020 fort morgan state historic site is a 3rd system masonry fort finished in 1834, that is managed by the alabama historical commission. Fort morgan charter boats book now on charterboatbooker. Fort morgan rentals gulf shores rentals sunset properties. Whether you are looking for a fort morgan rental on mobile bay or a gulf shores rental on the gulf of mexico, we guarantee that your stay at one of our vacation rentals will be one to remember. Fort gaines, the works on the western side of the channel, now surrendered. American battlefield trusts map of the battle of mobile bay. The confederate surrender helped shut down mobile, alabama, as an effective confederate port city. Top 10 fort morgan, al fishing charters for 2020 fishingbooker. Your trip wont be complete without seeing the location of the 223 ft tecumseh naval vessel that was sunk by a mine on august 5th 1864 during the battle of mobile bay. There are many haunted places located throughout alabama, including historic homes, cemeteries, restaurants, hospitals and more. A project was begun on mobile bay that would take almost twelve years to complete, plagued by harsh conditions, a lack of resources, and financial burdens. Oct 07, 20 the battle of mobile bay and siege of fort morgan baldwin county alabama.

After exchanging fire with fort morgan, clashing with admiral franklin buchanans fleet, and losing the monitor uss tecumseh to a mine, the union ships steamed. Battle of mobile bay, al american civil war battle. Standing guard where the bay meets the gulf of mexico, the fort played a significant role in the battle of mobile bay in august 1864. Fort morgan reenacts battle of mobile bay beach blogs. The union ship tecumseh was sunk by a confederate torpedo mine and observing this farragut issued his famous order damn the torpedoes leading the union force through the confederate minefield to engage the confederate ships in mobile bay. The siege of fort morgan occurred during the american civil war as part of the battle for mobile bay in 1864. Fort morgan alabama historical site information fort. Across the main channel from fort morgan on dauphin island was fort gaines, containing 26 guns, and with a garrison of about 600. One of the states most haunted places is fort morgana historic masonry star fort thats located along the gulf coast at the mouth of mobile bay, alabama. Gift shop fort morgan state historic site fort bowyer. During the battle of mobile bay, fort morgan was attacked after union troops managed to breach fort gaines on dauphin island. It was built during the aftermath of the war of 1812. The battle of mobile bay began on the morning of august 5 when confederate guns from fort morgan opened fire on farraguts advancing fleet.

On august 5, 1864, at the battle of mobile bay during the american civil war 186165, union admiral david farragut 180170 led his flotilla through the. Fort morgan battlefield of the battle of mobile bay, its the location that the famous words of admiral farragut were yelled, damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. After passing the forts, farragut engaged in a slugfest with the confederate. Battle of mobile bay, fort morgan, gulf shores, august 2014. Farraguts union fleet of eighteen ships entered mobile bay and received a devastating fire from forts gaines and morgan and other points. The union vessels were in mobile bay, but they had not yet forced the indomitable fort on mobile point to its knees. Commemorating the battle of mobile bay at fort morgan alabamas. History buffs will not want to miss visiting fort morgan, one of the sites that comprise the mobile bay civil war trail. Farragut had tied himself to the rigging of the uss hartford to better observe and direct the battle and reportedly.

Fort morgan, alabama stronghold of mobile bay legends of. Fort morgan was designated a national historic landmark in 1960. Used intermittently through the spanish american war, world war i and world. Were aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing.

The fort morgan civil war highlight came on august 5, 1864, when the fort played a key role during the battle of mobile bay before surrendering to union forces after a twoweek siege. In 1960, it was designated a national historic landmark. Meanwhile, fort gaines, with only one gun able to reach the channel, inflicted no damage on the union fleet. Usn admiral farragut faced a tremendous challenge in 1864 when he was finally able to obtain ironclads and army support to attack mobile bays defenses. In order to pass into mobile bay he had to breach three formidable obstacles simultaneously. Union troops bombarded the fort for two full weeks before major commander richard page decided to surrender the fort on august 23, 1864. The battle of mobile bay of august 5, 1864, was an engagement of the american civil war in. At that time, union naval forces under admiral david g. Fort morgan is a historic fort at the mouth of mobile bay. Personal account of the battle of mobile bay by harrie webster, uss manhattan. Union ground forces led by general gordon granger conducted a short siege of the confederate garrison at the mouth of mobile bay under the command of general richard l.

This is a special weekend at fort morgan, and we want to be there for as much of it as we can. Since 1834 fort morgan has stood as the guardian of mobile bay. Fort gaines dauphin island 2020 all you need to know. Situated at the head of mobile bay, the city relied on a series of forts at the bay s mouth to provide protection from naval attack. You may copy the images if you include the following note and link with each image. Fort morgan by bob england, jack friend, michael bailey and. When combined union forces attacked at fort blakely and spanish fort at the head of mobile bay in march 1865, the saint patrick appears to have made an unsuccessful attempt to sink the wooden gunboat uss octorara.

Fort morgan has definitely seen its fair share of ghosts. Two forts at the bays entrance, fort gaines on dauphin island and fort morgan on mobile point, surrendered immediately thereafter. Jul 31, 2014 according to sids meticulous research. Sunset properties is a family owned and operated vacation rental company and has been providing gulf shores rentals since 2001. Fort morgan state historic site is a 3rd system masonry fort finished in 1834, that is managed by the alabama historical commission. Your job is to find the defensive map and escape route. The ferry offers great views of fort morgan and the dauphin island coast. The siege of fort morgan occurred during the american civil war, as part of the battle for mobile bay, in alabama, during august 1864. Some union forces landed on dauphin island and laid siege to fort gaines. In fact, on several occasions, the officers of the union naval squadron blockading mobile thought the rebels had abandoned fort gaines. Mobile bay civil war trail includes fort morgan meyer. Fort morgan, mobile bay, alabama leave a comment alabama mobile bay, that pear shaped body of water, with its far reaching system of water tributaries, has been a scene of settlement and fortification since the early days of french attempts at settlement in the new world. Battle of mobile bay by harrie webster, third assistant engineer, uss manhattan about half past seven, while the action was at its height, our gun had just been revolved for a shot at fort morgan, a momentary view was had of the tecumseh, and in that instant occurred the catastrophe whereby a good ship filled with men, with a brave captain, in. Gordon granger landed on dauphin island and laid siege to fort gaines west of the main ship channel.

Farragut were able to get past fort morgan and enter the bay, where they captured several ships in the flotilla as well as fort gaines. Battle of mobile bay news newspapers books scholar jstor august. Fort morgan and the battle of mobile bay teaching with historic. Plan your summer byway tour around the commemoration of the battle of mobile bay on august 3, 2019, at fort morgan historic site. Battle of mobile bay naval history and heritage navy. Situated at the head of mobile bay, the city relied on a series of forts at the bays mouth to provide protection from naval attack. Can you help the union forces understand the defenses of mobile bay. The military site and national historic landmark is located 22 miles west of gulf shores. Running up the channel in line of battle, and engaging fort morgan, leading ship brooklyn encounters what she supposes to be torpedoes. Farragut, assisted by a contingent of soldiers, attacked a smaller confederate fleet led by admiral franklin buchanan and three forts that guarded the entrance to mobile bay. The trip takes approximately 40 minutes and is a great way for passengers to view birds, sea life and other boats and ships.

Discover the historical military occupation from the war of 1812 thru wwii at mobile point. The battle of mobile bay and siege of fort morgan youtube. The battle of mobile bay and siege of fort morgan digital. And the capture of forts powell, gaines and morgan, by the combined sea and land forces of the united states under the command of rearadmiral david glasgow farragut and majorgeneral gordon granger, august, 1864. Fort morgans citadel was badly damaged during this attack. It and dauphin island, on which fort gaines is situated, enclose mobile bay.

We give on this, page sketches of fort morgan, the lighthouse at fort morgan, the united states steamer brooklyn, and the plan of the battle in mobile bay. Fort morgans website says, it is the summer of 1864 and you are federal spies captured by the confederate soldiers. The first battle of mobile bay occurred in the winter of 1864, some seven months before the yankees attacked fort gaines and fort morgan. The battle of mobile bay and millions of other books are. Two prewar stone forts, fort gaines on dauphin island and fort morgan on the mainland, guarded the entrance. The confederate surrender helped shut down mobile as an effective confederate port city. The battle of mobile bay essential civil war curriculum. Fort morgan alabama vacation youngs gulf coast vacation. Feb 14, 2011 when combined union forces attacked at fort blakely and spanish fort at the head of mobile bay in march 1865, the saint patrick appears to have made an unsuccessful attempt to sink the wooden gunboat uss octorara. A combined union force initiated operations to close mobile bay to blockade running. The citadel at fort morgan as it appeared after its surrender following the battle of mobile bay.