PHANTOM FELINE OF FORT MCALLISTER
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FORT MCALLISTER
THE PHANTOM FELINE OF THE SAVANNAH RIVER DEFENSES
The Mysterious
Sightings of a Phantom Cat have encouraged a long-standing legend at these
Civil War earthen works.
The Savannah River
floated past the fort in the distance. In this photo, Yankee sentinels are
on duty as the fort has fallen to the enemy.
To all outward appearances, Fort McAllister was anything
but the crown jewel in the defensive ring that protected the city of Savannah,
Georgias prized harbor during the Civil War. Its sister fort,
Fort Pulaski, was a modern technological wonder
constructed using modern engineering techniques and elaborate brick masonry
while Fort McAllister was built using bricks made of sod and fill from the
Ogeechee River bottom. As different as both of these Civil War forts are in
appearance, they both have one thing in common, they both are still manned by
long dead defenders that seem to cry out even to this day.
Construction of Fort McAllisters seven gun emplacements,
almost completely protected by mounds of river mud and sod, was completed in
1861. The forts massive earthen walls interconnected, creating a bomb proof
central spiral, which was used to safely house the posts hospital, powder
magazines and barracks for the Fort McAllisters 230 defenders. In addition,
to the forts traversing weapons platforms, Fort McAllister housed an
impressive ten-inch mortar battery that was constructed away from the main
defenses because when fired, its blast tended to shake the forts walls apart.
Compared to other Civil War fortifications that saw active
service during the war, a soldiers life at Fort McAllister was considered
relatively quite and uneventful. Fort McAllisters defenders would hear the
sound of battle seven times during the War Between the States. During those
times of high drama, garrison life changed drastically when enemy cannon balls
were intentionally directed at the forts embankments and its gallant
defenders.
In 1862, Fort Pulaski fell to determined Union ground
forces supported by Union Ironclads and other wooden support vessels. The loss
of Fort Pulaski prompted Confederate commanders to place pilings and other
obstructions in the Ogeechee River within the range of Fort McAllisters guns.
This man made obstacle course allowed only ships loyal to the Confederacy to
navigate the river.
In July 1862, Fort McAllisters defenses would be tested
for the first time. Union ships pursuing the side wheeled Confederate
Blockade-Runner, Nashville, attacked the fort in an attempt to capture the
Nashville. The Nashville had unsuccessfully attempted to run the Union fleets
blockade of Charleston Harbor and now its captain looked to Fort McAllisters
seven pieces of heavy artillery for protection from the Union steamers in hot
pursuit. Union forces would attack Fort McAllister on four separate occasions
during the remaining months in 1862 in an attempt to seize the fort and
capture the Nashville. During each attack, the forts earthen ramparts
appeared to swallow-up the enemys cannon balls, thwarting the Unions
advances and protecting the Nashville laying at anchor nearby.
The Union navy would not give up on Fort McAllister so
easily. On January 27, 1863, the U.S.S. Montauk, a Federal Ironclad sporting a
11-inch and a 15-inch smooth bore cannon in a huge revolving turret, and
several other wooden warships, attacked the fort.
During the bombardment, the U.S.S. Montauk steamed within
150yards of the river pilings in front of Fort McAllister, its belching cannon
plowing gaping holes in the forts defenses. During the attack, Fort
McAllister would be reportedly struck by over 450 cannon balls, each being
absorbed by the forts earth and sod embankments. Confederate gunners found
their mark on the iron hull of the U.S.S. Montauk 15 times during the battle,
but the ships armor deflected the rounds without significant damage or
casualties. At the same time, the hardened defenders of Fort McAllister also
reported no casualties or significant damage as a result of feverish Union
shelling. At the end of the engagement, The U.S.S. Montauk and the remaining
Federal Fleet steamed away, vowing to return.
On February 1, 1863, the U.S.S. Montauk and several wooden
support craft returned to Fort McAllister determined to win the day. During
the first attack, both sides traded numerous volleys of cannon fire with
pretty much the same results as experienced in the previous attack in January
1863. It was reported that the U.S.S. Montauk was struck 48 times during this
engagement causing little more that slight dents and dings in the ships armor.
During the second Union assault, the forts commander,
Major John B. Gallie, was decapitated by a 15 inch Union shell that ricocheted
off one of Fort McAllisters many cannon. Major Gallie was valiantly
supervising one of the forts 8-inch artillery positions when he was violently
dispatched in front of the startled eyes of his comrades in arms. One later
report suggested that Major Gallie was scalped by the errant Union round
while some say the blast exposed his brains.
Union forces, consisting of three Ironclads, three mortar
schooners and two wooden gunboats attacked Fort McAllister a third time on
March 3, 1863. After seven hours of shelling, the fort experienced its second
unusual casualty of the war.
Camp mascots were common place in the Union and Confederate
encampments during the Civil War. Soldiers on both sides of the conflict were
known to adopt all kinds of mascots to help relieve the monotonous rigors of
camp life. Tom Cat was Fort McAllisters cherished mascot. Tom Cat was a
coal black cat that was loved and adored by the forts defenders. It was
reported that Tom Cat would run back and forth along the forts defenses
during the maelstrom of combat. Each time, Tom Cat would wager one of his
nine lives dodging the wall of lead cannon and musket balls that flew
overhead.
On March 3, 1863, Tom Cats luck had finally run out. In
the heat of battle, a stray round found its mark, killing the posts most
cherished occupant. Following the battle, a report detailing the death of Tom
Cat was forwarded to General Beauregard.
The death of Tom Cat would not signal the end for Fort
McAllister. The fort and its defenders would fight on until December 13, 1864.
On this date, Fort McAllister, the unmovable rock of the Confederacy, would
find itself face to face with unstoppable force, Union General William T.
Sherman, a man intent leaving his mark on history.
In fifteen minutes, 4000 Union infantry under the command
of General Sherman, overpowered Fort McAllisters 230 defenders, marking an
end of the posts distinguished battle history. The fall of Fort McAllister
also heralded the end of General Shermans famous march to the sea.
In the late 1930s, world famous industrialist Henry Ford
took an active interest in the historical preservation of Fort McAllister.
Ford purchased the Civil War landmark and invested his own money in the
extensive re-construction of this famous fort. Today, Fort McAllister is the
best-preserved Civil War era earthen fortification in the South. But like may
other Southern historic sites, this tranquil 1700 acre park has its own fare
share of ghostly occupants.
The preserved earthen
works at Fort McAllister today (Photo courtesy of Lt. Theresa Meyer)
During the 1930s, Henry Fords hired
workers refused to spend the night at Fort McAllister because it was
reported that strange noises could be heard emanating from the grounds. It
has been said that source of the eerie noises was never identified and
that the ghostly sounds that are reported at Fort McAllister today
continue to be unexplained. In addition to the chilling noises,
Re-enactors, visitors and park staff have reported seeing the ghosts of
the forts most famous Civil War casualties.
Visitors and staff have reported seeing
a black cat running along the Fort McAllisters earth ramparts and in the
various bomb proof rooms of the fort. Re-enactors have spun tails about
how they have seen Tom Cat peering out toward the river while others
have said that they have felt the touch of his arched back rub along their
leg. When questioned about the existence of a cat at Fort McAllister,
staff and park administrators adamantly deny that any cats live on the
park grounds.
Though a run in with Tom Cat would most definitely be a
unearthly experience, then a chance encounter with the decapitated ghost of
Major Gallie would truly be considered a brush with the unknown. Many visitors
claim to have seen that the headless body of Major Gallie on the park grounds
at night, pacing near the ramparts where he lost his life in the defense of
the Confederate cause.
On a February morning during the 1960s, grounds keepers
trimming the grass at Fort McAllister reported that their normal work routine
was shattered when they noticed that an icy chill seemed to engulf them even
though the sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky. Already
nervous and on edge, the workers claimed that for several minutes, they
observed the headless body of a man, wearing a Civil War era officers uniform
standing in the same location where Major Gallie was to have died that fateful
day in 1863.
From all available published reports and eye witness
accounts, it would appear that Major Gallie and Tom Cat continue to stand by
their prior allegiances to the Stars and Bars. Many of the forts staff and
visitors alike swear that some one or something continues to ensure that Fort
McAllister is ready to rally to a call to arms from this world or the next.
Park Information:
Fort McAllister State Park
3894 Fort McAllister Road
P.O. Box 394-A
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
(912) 727-2339
© Copyright 2003 by Dave Goodwin. All Rights Reserved.
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