Fort Ward (Florida) facts for kids
- This article deals with Fort Ward, Florida, in the United States. For other Fort Wards, see: Fort Ward (disambiguation).
Fort Ward was a fort built by the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. It was located in Wakulla County, Florida, right where the Wakulla River and St. Marks River meet. The fort was named after Colonel George T. Ward, who owned large farms near Tallahassee. During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers placed many cannons at Fort Ward to protect the area.
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A Long History
The land where Fort Ward stands has been important for a very long time.
Early Explorers
Long ago, in 1528, a Spanish explorer named Pánfilo de Narváez camped here. He was traveling north from Tampa. Narváez thought this spot was great because of its location by the rivers. In 1539, another famous Spanish explorer, Hernando de Soto, also visited the area with his men.
Spanish Forts
In 1679, the Spanish governor of Florida began building the first fort here. It was called Fort San Marcos de Apalache. They used logs covered with a lime mixture to make it look like stone. But in 1681, pirates attacked the fort, burning and stealing from it.
Later, in 1719, Spanish Captain Jose Primo de Ribera built a second wooden fort. This one was also called San Marcos de Apalache. The wood for building came from Mission San Luis de Apalachee to the north.
In 1739, the Spanish started building a stronger fort made of stone.
Changing Hands
The stone fort was still being built when it was given to the English in 1763. This happened because of a big war called the Seven Years' War. Spain got the fort back in 1787 and controlled it for another 13 years.
In 1800, a former British officer named William Augustus Bowles tried to lead 400 Creek Indians against the Spanish. They captured San Marcos, but Spanish ships arrived about five weeks later and took the fort back.
United States Takes Over
In 1818, General Andrew Jackson led American troops into Florida. They took San Marcos after raids from Spanish Florida affected Georgia.
In 1821, Florida became part of the United States. American troops then occupied the fort. By 1824, the U.S. left the fort, giving it to the Territory of Florida. The fort was returned to the U.S. in 1839.
Later, in 1857, a special hospital was built there using stones from the old Spanish fort. This hospital cared for people who had yellow fever, a serious illness.
The Civil War
The last conflict at San Marcos happened in 1861. During the American Civil War, Confederate soldiers took control of the fort and renamed it Fort Ward. From 1861 to 1865, a Union (Northern) navy group blocked the mouth of the St. Marks River. This was to stop supplies from reaching the Confederates.
A battle called the Battle of Natural Bridge took place nearby. This battle stopped the Union forces who were trying to capture Fort Ward. The fort remained in Confederate hands until the end of the war.
Images for kids
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The old moat at Fort Ward.
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Location of Fort Ward.
