Fort Gaines & the Battle of Mobile Bay | History Traveler Episode 164

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com. Thanks!

[@melodymakermark]

Lots of childhood memories from the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. Twice each summer my dad loaded up the Airstream and hauled the family down there from Tennessee. There used to be a sea shell shop on east of the fort where the road dead ends. Lying in bed at 2:00 am and hearing the pilot boats fire up those diesels to escort ships into the bay. The coast guard cutter stationed there was the Point Verde, which was later sold to Venezuela, I believe. Two old shrimp boats of the Forrest Gump class, the Lucky Jack and Jamie Marie, would come in just before dark with the days catch. We used to buy hand sized gulf shrimp right off the boat for about $1.50/pound and would combine those with the blue crabs we netted from the boat dock piers. Just a great place to grow up.

[@govolsfightvolsfight2908]

That's a great story for you to share with us. Now I've visited those forts and know a lot about the Civil War history especially in the south, I just wish I had spent more time studying the forts because now I'm fascinated. Oh and what part of Tennessee are you from? I live right outside of Chattanooga Tennessee, and am blessed with the Civil War history here and in the near by Chickamauga battlefield area, what great history do I have literally in my backyard! Man I love history!

[@melodymakermark]

@govolsfightvolsfight2908, I’m in the armpit of the state (Memphis). Shilo is about an hour east of me. First great battle of the war. If you come here, come in early April for the best sense of the battle.

[@williamkenopke3900]

Been waiting for this one! Love these forts on Mobile Bay, I’m the Captain on the field boat that services the gas platforms in lower Mobile Bay.

[@brianferry4038]

Recent subscriber here, working my way backwards through your episodes. Love your work. Just visited family in Mobile and took the kids to Fort Gaines. You’ll be happy to know that the East ammunition storeroom has since been excavated of sand and you can stand upright in it. YT won’t let me post an image, but I’ve got one if you want to see it, JD. Keep up the great work.

[@matthewstone1811]

Finally in my home town. Fort Pickens at Pensacola beach is one of my favorite places. I’ve caught some giant fish off of fort Morgan and fort Gaines Over the years.

[@waarrenwittenberg188]

I used to re enact there with the 21st Alabama, co D. Infantry. They were there from the beginning, going to Tennessee to fight in the early battles including Shiloh. Then back to mobile. 21st Alabama were infantry but wore red kepis as they manned the artillery at the fort. They also manned the CS Huntley submarine. It brought tears to my eyes when the hunley was found including George dixon’s gold coin that saved his life at the battle of Shiloh in 1861. Some of the best times, Christmas at the Fort. At that time we were able to use the blacksmith shop and kitchens. We ate period foods followed by a spirited period dance with an authentic period band!!!!

[@albertbryan7132]

Growing up we would water ski down the Tombigbee River into Mobile Bay and spend the night at the Ramada Inn on the causeway. We would get up the next day and water ski through the bay and back up the river. In those days the moth balled WWII ships were still in the North end of the bay. It was always an eerie feeling passing those ships.

[@peterbaxter4547]

I just love this guys passion for his country’s history. He has kept me transfixed to everything he has put out. I now know more of the USA than I do of my “old Blighty.” Keep it coming please. 🇬🇧⚓️🇬🇧

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you!

[@billd.iniowa2263]

I have a couple of Facebook friends in the U.K. Really nice guys. Wonderful place for history, 10 times longer than ours here. And even more.

[@cmagnus7980]

Thanks so much for the wonderful video! As a housewife and lover of kitchen history, I was thrilled when you showed us the bakery! Also, it looks like the large pot/pan in said bakery was probably a modified bread trough. I would imagine that it started out as a "copper", typically a large copper or iron vessel used for various things such as boiling/pickling food as well as boiling laundry. Interesting side note on the bread: in that type of oven, the bottom of the bread was often still a little ashy. So the bread was cut horizontally and formed the lower crust and upper crust. The wealthy, or in this case the officers, would eat the upper crust and everyone else ate the lower crust. Thus the origin of the term "upper crust". Thank you again for all the hard work you put into these videos! They are truly wonderful!!!

[@southcentralPA]

What an interesting story- I never knew where that "upper crust" term came from!🍞

[@jerryscott8608]

Admission to Fort Morgan is free to veterans. I've been there, very good place to visit.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely a cool place.

[@sloanchampion85]

One of the most incredible stories of this battle was getting the CSS Tennessee down from the Selma, Alabama Naval foundry....now that took an incredible effort,

[@nhamilton3332]

I have loved your videos for a while now. I am finishing up a geneological project for my history degree and found out that two of my ancestors (a father and son pair) were stationed at Fort Gaines and were captured there. Your video was a great tool for me to visualize what their life might have been like inside the fort. Thank you JD!

[@kimberlypoole-bourdin3094]

Welcome to my hometown! Lots of interesting history around here. Excited that you are showing some of it!

[@dangreene9846]

Love Mobile, great town .

[@brianmaddy6713]

I'm glad you were able to make it our way. Enjoy Fort Morgan.

[@KowboyUSA]

It's impressive how well the Fort is being preserved. Outstanding.

[@johnresto1603]

It's awesome that you are doing with your son. What incredible memories you guys are creating together.

[@shauntemplar.26]

You on Holiday brother, MY God thank you, you even still bring us the best stuff when you're meant to be resting ..... I guess you're not getting an R&R ..I used to work for English heritage. They run and look after British sites of history..I used to work at few forts..They are amazing places. full of battles and deaths..THe sites are just amazing as is this one your bring to us right now

[@sidneycashion7817]

Always love to see your vids love to see your son comes along I traveled all over for 4 decades with my mom and dad we went to fort Gaines , Morgan, Pullaski, Sumpter etal . All along the coast where you are there's the Alabama bird watching trail, golf courses the esturarium there on Dauphin Bellingrath gardens the ferry and of course seafood and beach walks. Tell your son an old man said one day years after your gone he'd see something about the civil war on TV and think I'll ask dad about that when I talk to him. I do it all the time. Safe travels ,thanks again.

[@terryeustice5399]

Fort Gaines was also a great tour.A little bit more than Morgan. Appreciate your dedication to these sites. And thank you for sharing!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@dwightminnich2722]

That was a perfect day at the Beach. It often hurts when you see how time has overrun the past, but your explorations help bring the realization that time can also help save the past. I will never see most of these places, but you make me feel like I was there. Thank you for your incredible channel.

[@michaeldouglas1243]

Another outstanding series of history covered J.D. thank you once again for your dedication to our history. Keep em coming

[@howardmielcarski6683]

I would have loved to have you as a History teacher in my High School days. Love your videos.

[@stevenrogers9174]

Thank you for another great history lesson, I have just recently caught up from the beginning of all your videos. If it wasn't for you and the videos of Easy Company I wouldn't have watched Band of Brothers afterward. Knowing the history first before watching was really awesome for me. Once again thank you for all you do to help everybody with our history.

[@govolsfightvolsfight2908]

I live in Chattanooga Tennessee, but I served in the USMC and have a vet friend that lives literally by the gulf in Gautier Mississippi, so we go to visit twice a year, and when we do, me and doc go to visit all kinds of American history sites. Some of these coastal areas we'll visit, and the island forts we'll visit on his 32' botson whaler, and take food, just make a day of it. We'll dive when the water let's us, and check out offshore wrecks and brother I'll tell you what, it's an absolute great time!!! My kids hang out with his wife, and go to the beach in their backyard, while me and doc go exploring for one day alone. Then we go fishing and eat like kings, and always have a good oll Cajun shrimp boil with the neighbors! I don't know why I felt the need to say that story, but this video reminded me of fun times in the Alabama, and Mississippi gulf area. I love it down there, but my heart is in my cabin on Lookout mtn especially in the fall and winter. I'm like you, I don't like the sand all the time, and the heat is just down right offensive, I prefer 20°f as opposed to 80-90+°f. Anyway thanks for listening to my story you guys!

[@MamaDee_83]

Once again, excellent video! I did not know Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan existed. Thank you for taking me on your journey!

[@bbryant2485]

The brick work is amazing, i dont understand how its held together so well considering the exposure to sea salt.

[@thinhipps]

Laid by slaves.master craftsmen. 17:55

[@ryanturner2306]

Spent every day during the summer as a boy on dauphin island! And one weekend every summer at Fort Morgan. Now a days I just look at the big forts as we pass by on the boat. Incredible videos man!

[@lyndaspann1831]

So glad you made it to our neck of the woods! Thanks for a great video of Fort Gaines....the ferry is great fun over to Fort Morgan...looking forward to the next video!

[@derek89273]

Thanks JD and son, another great episode.

[@DIRTROADDIRT]

I grew up on the island and the fort was my favorite place to go!

[@gregsayre4700]

your cinematography is becoming awesome, your storytelling always has been

[@swearenginlawanda]

Ferry ride is the best. Spend lots of time at the island since moving to Mississippi

[@donavantew8278]

I live in dixieland myself and we glad to have you,

[@davemac8293]

My dude!!! I literally just found your page 2 days ago! Was super excited to see you visited Mobile! (I live in saraland) Would have loved to have met you. Sorry for the heat lol. It gets hot here. If you ever come back you have a ton more exploring to do around mobile. Tons of history here. I have not dig into your videos yet and do not know if you have been here before. Come visit again in the spring. It’s nice here during the spring when all the azaleas are blooming.

[@TheRagratus]

@Jill Atherton It may take him some time as there is not one minute that will be wasted.

[@tripod13mc]

I was just at fort Morgan last week! Looking forward to your visit!

[@hoosierplowboy5299]

Fascinating! Have visited friends in Fairhope a number of times, but had no idea of the history of Mobile Bay. Thank you!

[@rrmorris67]

Awesome. I have been waiting for this one. My 18 year old son and I were there just a week or two before or after you, I can't remember which. I remember seeing a post you made where you hinted about coming here. We spent the previous night at Biloxi and set out early to do these two forts before moving on in the direction of Chattanooga for the battle sites around there. We were on an epic week long swing of western theater Civil War sites. You name it and we were probably there. He and I have seen Forts Moultrie and Sumter in SC a few times so it was really cool to see these, too. Gaines was cool, but wow was Morgan really something else. Looking forward to that one, now. I love your passion and enthusiasm for History in all the videos you produce and I am willing to bet your boy shares your passion. I can relate. My son is going to be a history major in college and I couldn't be more proud.

[@scottchaltain7595]

We have a home on Dauphin Island. We have Easter Sunrise Service in the fort each year. Beautiful to see the sunrise on a special day. Thanks for doing this episode. Love your videos. The iron clad, USS Tecumseh, still lays just off the shore line. Great history.

[@roberthenry9319]

Another wonderful, fun and important episode. Truly, no one else does this so well Thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Appreciate that.

[@apexcomputerrepair]

Thank you, JD for taking us to all these historic sites!! We have Fort Pulaski and Fort McAllister here in the Savannah, GA area .

[@zekesgirl100]

Drove from Kansas to see Fort McAllister.

[@apexcomputerrepair]

@@zekesgirl100 My grandfather fought for the South there and escaped when the fort fell and he got captured outside Savannah trying to get to South Carolina to join the Confederate forces there.

[@rosemarykirkpatrick1930]

I’ve been to Fort Pulaski a couple of times but never to Fort McAllister. I will have to look it up and come see it next time we come to Savannah.

[@apexcomputerrepair]

@@rosemarykirkpatrick1930 Fort McAllister is in Richmond Hill Ga. right outside of Savannah.

[@andrea6421]

That looks like one sturdy fort! Thnx for showing us all the hard to get to spots! 😀👍🏻

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

You bet!

[@melvinryan2419]

I love all these shows J.D , i watch everyday

[@StarrySkies80]

Hello from Alabama! So glad you visited my state...hope you come back sometime!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks.

[@kathleenbrenner2889]

That...was....awesome!!! I love forts 💕 As a child in Niagara Falls my geeky heart was happiest at Old Fort Niagara 😊 We moved to Jersey when I was 15 and “sand, heat stroke and sun poisoning “ was exactly how I described it...lol

[@georgehays4900]

Pretty cool. Thanks for bringing it to us.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure!

[@patricialenaburg6553]

Thanks JD, never heard of these Forts, learn something new no matter how old you are.

[@motaman8074]

That Civil War ghost looked SO real!

[@naybur74]

love the civil war forts, got to visit "Fort Sumter" a few years back loved it!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

That one is high on my list.

[@arlenefalkner8910]

My favorite place to play as a kid, we were taught to respect it. Spring is best If you visit again and please visit the downtown area museum, featuring, the birthplace of Mardi Gras tribute and walking distance to Fort Conde. The duck boat tour takes you from black top roadway straight into the waterways of the mouth of the Mobile river. On the Baldwin county side we have Spanish Fort also known as lookout point. North Mobile has the Ellicott Stone in remembrance of the first settlers in Mobile. Then there’s the haunted Oak Grove cemetery and plantation mansion on the premises located in central mobile county. We are very rich in history. Come join in

[@RandyH1105]

Another beyond awesome history lesson. Thank you for sharing this with us. I get so excited when I see you have released a new video. I love your presentation and personality too.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! I appreciate that.

[@karolynnolson3359]

This was soooooooo coooool. What an awesome video. I use to live near there many, many, many years ago. I visited fort morgan as a child with my family years ago (39 yrs ago).

[@gerardjoseph17]

JD...Phenomenal video, very incredible fort & historical site, really well preserved and a must visit for Civil War enthusiasts. Hurrah.

[@brandicampbell6697]

I’m so happy you came to Alabama! Ft Gaines is incredible. I love the old bricks. I’m really looking forward to seeing your Ft Morgan video. Ft Morgan is my favorite place on earth. It’s fascinating.

[@dawndickson2156]

Thank you for this video. Not much of a beach/ocean person. Hard pressed to get me out of the mountain! But appreciate you taking us to places we may never get to visit. So much to learn everywhere one travels. Tell your son he makes a great ghost and wears an awesome hat!

[@iainsmith6643]

Excellent. Proper military architecture .like the way you go into the holes to find stuff.

[@oldtanker4860]

You might consider visiting the Pacific NW. Not only is Bremerton WA the site of a huge Naval installation but there are 3 forts just to the North. Ft Flagler (lots of gun emplacements and several pre and during WW2 buildings), Fort Casey, Some emplacements and a few buildings, and Fort Worden, some gun emplacements a LOT of pre WW2 and WW2 buildings. Those 3 forts controlled access to Seattle and Bremerton during the civil war and also during WW2 with their "triangle of fire". Two of the installations are very worthy of a visit (Flagler and Worden).

[@mountaingoatcinema]

I just stumbled across your channel the other day. I just want to say thank you for all your work on these videos! One of my new favorite channels, love all your content!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow, thank you! Feel free to share it out if you catch a few that you like.

[@Samson163]

Great video! I live in Alabama and I've been there and also Fort Morgan years ago as a child. It really is something special. There is also another fort just on the other side of the Alabama Florida state line called Fort Pickens, maybe 2 hours away

[@beckysteinmiller338]

Great tour! Thanks for sharing. Look forward to part 2!!

[@joannecarolyn5018]

Fort Gaines is amazing! Its got everything... Ancient Roman style latrines (right next to the bakery), a portion of Dracula's castle, claustrophobic underground ammunition storage, etc!! 😳😳😳 Lol 😊 It's such an amazing place.. It's like going back in time! ❤️

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! Definitely.

[@joannecarolyn5018]

@@TheHistoryUnderground 😊✌🏻

[@MrRozzi20]

I have been waiting for this!!!! I used to live in Spanish Fort, so glad you finally went!

[@rickwiles8835]

I live in Mobile, Alabama and have visited Ft. Gains many times they once had letters from soldiers who fought the Battle of Mobile Bay, posted on the walls of the rooms in the fort. One letter stuck me as very touching it said, “Sister thank you for letter I am glad to hear everyone is doing well. Tell mama I think of her cornbread and greens and wish for some, but in this God forsaken place wishin’ does no good.” The other thing that strikes me every time I think of the battle is the Union troops were dressed in woolen uniforms in Mobile temperatures often reach triple digits in August 100-105 is not uncommon. I don’t know why they all didn’t die of heat stroke.

[@robj7386]

keep up the good work, the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto, would be a good trek

[@HateTheGameTX]

As a Texan I wholeheartedly agree

[@oldline1775]

Damn right, the Alamo is a must

[@jimcronin2043]

According to Grant's memoirs, when he was in charge of the Southern District he continually tried to get Banks to attack Mobile but was unable to convince him and Halleck to do so. This was a continual frustration for him. (Banks' Army of the Gulf was not under Grant's command at that time.) Capturing Mobile would have cut off a major source of Confederate supplies. But Banks, with Halleck's support kept pursuing the Red River Campaign which was strategically unimportant. Canby relieved Banks but when forces in his command were finally able to take Mobile its importance had become obsolete because of Sherman's advances.

[@camdodge9891]

Thanks JD fantastic video and I can’t wait for part 2

[@patrickbush9526]

I'm going to visit Fort Pickens Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines next month damn the torpedoes can't wait

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@toddjackson8184]

That room you entered at 14:30 is called a Caponiere , it sticks out past the wall so the howitzers can fire canister rounds at any infantry using the fort walls as cover. theirs one at Fort Washington here in MD that is almost an exact duplicate of the one in your video. Please keep traveling and sharing.

[@michaeleverett7247]

Awesome fort and so well maintained 👍

[@markrinehart7224]

I know others have also commented this: Make sure you visit USS Alabama. Hope to see a story about it also!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Decent chance that we'll be seeing it :)

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Oh I'm just gutted that you couldnt get into that blacksmith shop! I love them places. Used to be a machinist, so tools are always interesting. Thanx for the tour JD. I'll be looking forward to episode 2. (See if ya cant get the keys to that shop, lol)

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! Thanks.

[@tn_bayouwulf2949]

The USS Alabama is a noteworthy stop. As you travel East, you could visit the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola NAS, the Lighthouse, Ft. Barrancus, and Ft. Pickens. Lots to see on the Gulf Coast.

[@oldtanker4860]

BTW, well done. I love the way you make history come alive.

[@kiwifruit27]

I love the music that you use on your videos. It’s all new to me and seems to be different songs in each video

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them!

[@johnblack7696]

Another amazing video, JD! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I wonder how many poor soldiers fell to their deaths down those narrow staircases with no railings.

[@frankstabler1920]

Dauphin Island was named Massacre Island by the original Spanish explorers for the reason that you mentioned. The name was changed to Dauphin Island by the French when they took possession of the island in honor of the eldest son of the king of France who was known as the Dauphin. Fort Gaines surrendered because the Confederate troops petitioned the commander to surrender.

[@kateclark7250]

I really enjoy visiting places with you. I am glad this place and its story have been preserved. P.S. nice to meet your son.

[@TangoSierra888]

Great video, almost looks like you guys had the place to yourselves. You even got to explore some sections I didn’t even know existed (the lower levels were completely submerged in water the last time I went). I grew up in Mobile, & it was only after I got much older that I realized how much history had been right under my nose my entire childhood. Now that could also be the result of being African-American, & raised by my grandparents, who lived thru some of the ugliest periods of Mobile’s history, & them wanting to completely shield us from it as kids. But I love history, & we gotta at least acknowledge the good & the bad parts of it. I’ve been to Fort Gaines a few times, but never made it to Fort Morgan. I’ll be checking that video out next. Great work!

[@SandervkHistory]

Awesome episode! Never knew anything about the naval war side of the civilwar! 👍

[@oldcodger9388]

Nicely done. Thank you.

[@digginonfaith531]

Sweet video! Can’t wait to see Fort Morgan!

[@raphaelmendez8072]

Looking forward to your trip over to Fort Morgan!

[@mrDCunningham]

Gosh this is so cool. Nice work 👍🏻😎

[@michaellaverty1844]

Very, very cool. Never knew anything of this Fort. Now to do some research of my own. Nice video indeed.

[@forwardobserver6441]

Welcome to my neck of the woods!!! Enjoy

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

Dauphin Island is my go to spot when I need a break. 👍

[@danielsibley6322]

WOW!..that was a lot of brickwork.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely.

[@eddieharr]

drive to Pensacola and go to fort Pickens (real first shots of the Civil War) and enjoy the incredible naval air museum

[@irishwarrior35]

ok boys and girls sit down and hear another uplifting description of the beach from our friend JD.....LOL dang buddy that was amazing as always minus the feel good description of the beach LOL.

[@charlesmaeger6162]

The Union naval blockade of the Confederacy was very tight and, a very big factor in it's defeat.

[@johnkelsey2482]

Excellent....Thanks....

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Most welcome!

[@brucebarker7856]

Awsome place loved this video.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank for watching!

[@ryanreay4167]

Another excellent video.

[@joemabry9643]

Thank you!

[@havenandrist7425]

Minus the houses , it looks A LOT like Fort McHenry .... very cool

[@fredlist7091]

At some point if you're in the area you may want to visit Fort Delaware in the middle of the Delaware Bay. It's not only a magnificent Civil War fort, but was also the location of a Union prison for Confederate POWs. Plus, according to Ghost Hunter's it's said to be haunted... so bring your son!

[@sadon0423]

Hope you were able to visit Fort Blakely in Spanish Fort while in L.A. Last combined force battle of the Civil War!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Stick around :)

[@couchfighter]

We lost a Hobie cat during a storm on dauphin island. That is thE day we went to see the ship in 1988!

[@sloanchampion85]

I was living there in 98 and remember that being washed up by George very well...

[@dartarkana4279]

Back then you could sneak and peek at your fellow at arms at the Latrine and either cry or laugh your back into position 😆

[@NeuroDeviant421]

I'd like to see a piece on Fort Barrancas, Fort McRee and Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island. There's interesting Civil War history there.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Me too. Unfortunately, they were closed down due to storm damage when I was there. Good excuse to go back 🙂

[@bayourat15]

Nothing happened...yall surrendered

[@rs8638]

Love your channel. Originally from Mobile, I hope you visited the Mighty A.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Decent chance that I made it over there for a few minutes 🙂