Mile 20.0 - RBD Fort Jackson

20 RBD Fort Jackson

(1824 - 1920's) Completed in 1832, Fort Jackson was originally built similar to Fort Morgan in Mobile, Alabama. In 1858 the exterior Lower and Upper Water Batteries were built to either flank of the fort. The Confederates gained control in 1861, but the star-shaped 69-gun fort was captured by the Union in April 1862. The interior barracks were destroyed. The Lower Battery was rebuilt in 1872 - 1876 for ten guns and five magazines. It was armed with at least two mounted 15-inch Rodman guns in 1898. It still exists, now seperated from the fort by a modern levee. Several gun fragments still remain. The two coverface batteries on the fort's outerworks were also rebuilt for four guns each. The lower coverface battery still exists. The upper coverface battery was later removed to built Battery Millar. Two new gun platforms and two magazines were built in the north bastion of the fort in 1874. Endicott batteries here are Battery Ransom (1899 - 1918), which is inside the old fort and is now used for park offices; and Battery Millar (1901 - 1920). (Paul Orr)