Fort McIntosh (Georgia) facts for kids
Fort McIntosh was an important American military fort built during the American Revolution. It was located in Brantley County, Georgia, close to the Satilla River. Today, you can find its general area near where U.S. Route 82 and Georgia State Route 110 meet, near the town of Atkinson. This fort played a key role in protecting the Georgia frontier during a time of war.
Contents
Why Fort McIntosh Was Built
Protecting the Georgia Frontier
Fort McIntosh was built to defend the American settlers in Georgia. During the American Revolution, there were many dangers. People who supported the British (called Tories) and some Native American tribes would sometimes attack American settlements. The fort was a way to guard against these attacks, especially from those coming from Florida.
Who Built the Fort?
The fort was constructed by William McIntosh. He was the brother of a famous American officer named Colonel Lachlan McIntosh. William McIntosh led the effort to build this log fortress. It was designed to be a strong defense for the new American nation.
What Fort McIntosh Looked Like
Design and Structure
Fort McIntosh was a square-shaped fort. It was made from logs and earth, which means dirt was used to make the walls stronger. Each side of the fort was about 100 feet long. This made it a fairly large defensive structure.
Corner Defenses
At each of the four corners of the fort, there was a special part called a bastion. A bastion is a part of a fort wall that sticks out. This design allowed soldiers to see and shoot at enemies attacking from different directions, making it harder for attackers to get close.
Soldiers at the Fort
Who Guarded Fort McIntosh?
About 60 soldiers were stationed at Fort McIntosh. These soldiers came from two different groups. Forty men were from the 3rd South Carolina Regiment. The other 20 were Continentals, who were part of the 1st Brigade Georgia Militia.
The Commander
The leader of these soldiers was Captain Richard Winn. He was in charge of making sure the fort was well-defended and that the soldiers were ready for any attack.
The Attack on Fort McIntosh
The Battle of February 1777
On February 17, 1777, Fort McIntosh faced a major attack. The fort was surrounded by Tories (people loyal to the British) and Native American warriors. The battle was fierce, and the small group of American soldiers fought bravely.
Forced to Surrender
Despite their efforts, the American soldiers were outnumbered. After fighting for a day, the fort was forced to surrender on February 18. This meant the American soldiers had to give up the fort to the attackers.
After the Surrender
Most of the American soldiers who were captured were later released. However, two officers were taken as hostages. They were held in St. Augustine, Florida, which was a British-controlled area at the time. This event showed the dangers faced by American soldiers on the frontier during the Revolution.
