Construction of Fort Jackson
(Panel one)
In the early years of the 19th century, the
United States was a fledgling nation with
a population of 7,700,000, a standing army
of 6,700, and a navy of only 12 ships. The
Americans were vastly outnumbered by
the major powers of the time, France with
an army of well over 600,000 and Great
Britain with a navy of nearly 600 ships.
Presidents Washington, Adams, and
Jefferson had pursued neutral policies
making every effort to avoid becoming
embroiled in the world wide conflict
between Great Britain and France.
Following several events which threatened
to bring the United States into this war,
President Jefferson authorized the
construction of forts and ships in 1807.
One spot selected to be fortified was
lot 12 at Five Fathom Hole on the
Savannah River. This fortification was
to become Fort James Jackson.
(Panel two)
Captain William McRee:
Supervising Engineer
In the spring of 1808, Captain William
McRee, a member of the United States
Army Engineer Department began
supervising the construction of Fort
Jackson. The work force consisted of
hired laborers and leased slaves.
McRee was born in 1787, in Wilmington
North Carolina. At the age of 15, McRee
decided on a military career and enrolled
at West Point. After two years, he graduated
second in his class of three cadets and was
commissioned a second lieutenant in the
Army Engineer Department.
McRee was only 21 years old when he
started construction of Fort Jackson.
Except for a brief absence in 1811, he
continued this work until his transfer
in October of 1812. After his reassignment,
he was still consulted by his successor
regarding the Fort's construction.
McRee served with distinction during the
War of 1812 on the Canadian border. After
the war, he resigned his commission in
1819 and spent the rest of his life as a
government surveyor. William McRee died
on May 15, 1833.
(Panel three)
War With Britain is Declared
At the request of President Jefferson, the
United States Congress voted on the issue
of the war with Britain. The results were
close, with the house voting 79 to 49 and
the Senate voting 19 to 13 in favor of war.
Sentiments for going to war were stronger
in the south as the city of Savannah indicated
when the city council unanimously voted
on a resolution which referred to war with
Britain as "...just, necessary, and righteous..."
In responce to hostilities, Captain McRee at
Fort Jackson recieved the following letter
from General Thomas Pinckney:
You will proceed with all possible dispatch to complete the
fortifications of Fort Jackson and Wayne according to the plans
which I have this day examined and approved, and it being indispensably
necessary that these posts should when completed be furnished with
garrisons for their defense, but no troops of the old army of the
United States having been assigned to that duty / you are hereby
authorized and directed to make application to the Governor of Georgia
for as many officers and men of Militia of this State as may be
necessary for their immediate protection and defense not exceeding
in the whole three hundred rank and file.
P.S. I have just recieved official notification of the declaration of war
which had taken place on June 18 and took nearly six days for the
news to reach Savannah.
Marker can be reached from Fort Jackson Road.
Courtesy hmdb.org
