Running the Gauntlet at Fort Morgan (Civil War) | History Traveler Episode 165

[@Sophos1964]

I spent a lot of time at both Forts Morgan & Gaines as a kid growing up in Mobile. A couple of us used to sneak in to Ft. Morgan as teenagers just after sunset to explore. We were in awe of the Fort, its engineering & its legacy of tragedy. Certainly can’t do that now! One of the founders of my college fraternity, drowned when he fell off a boarding plank into the Bay at the Fort’s wharf (Mobile Point) while boarding a Confederate troop ship at the beginning of the War. The entire area is an amazing place & is so rich in history.

[@Justnobody0950]

I'm 64 now living in God Forsaken Atlanta, Ga. But I grew up on a farm in Foley, Al. Which is the last town straight down Hwy 59 before Gulf Shores. Foley is called the Gateway to the Gulf. My sisters, son, and daughter still live there. I'm the only one who ventured away from home. But as a small child, I remember going down to Fort Morgan in the 60s, and mom would pack us a picnic, and we would spend most of the day there. My dad loved that old Fort. He was one of the very lucky ones that was in the US Army 29th division that landed on Omaha Beach in Normady, France, on D-Day. So he loved old military history. But going down Fort Morgan Road before you get to the main Fort. There are more bunker style buildings to the left (Gulf Side) before you now drive over the 24 ft. Garrison wall. As rowdy teens back in the 70s, we would take our girlfriends down to the old bunkers to either scare them or whatever 😊. You wouldn't go very far before it is pitch black without a flashlight, and those bunker tunnels would go so far back and down. You would think you were going to never get out of one because of so many turns they made deep inside. And if I think I'm right, those were built sometime between WWl and WWII. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. And as I had children and grandchildren, I would take them to the fort to explore. I think everyone loves the history of the bloodstained steps inside the fort that is still there. They say one of the ordinance officers during one of the battles during the civil war. He always had his cannons loaded and ready to fire before a battle would start. When they got word, the Union Navy Ships was coming into Mobile Bay. This officer got nervous and got drunk and cursed God for the war. When the battle started. He had forgotten that his cannon was already loaded and reloaded it again. Story has it that when he set off the charge, of course, the cannon blew up and took the officers head off, and it rolled down the steps. And out of all the bloodshed that took place from that battle, to this day, the bloodstaine still remains on the steps from his decapitated head. Just had to add that in. So anyone that has never been to Fort Morgan or Fort Gaines across the bay. You will truly enjoy it.

[@frankstabler1920]

I read that same story about the blood on the steps and we always thought we could make out a boot heel print and part of a hand print. Turns out that is not a blood stain. It is basically rust.

[@cfluff6716]

This is my home 🙌 Mobile to Orange Beach. Spent summers on Massacre Island and a favorite was sneaking into Ft. Gaines at night… kinda eerie but so exciting when younger. Lower AL is such an underrated area of Beauty and History on the gulf coast🇺🇸

[@dangreene3895]

Underrated or best keep secret , lived in Fairhope when I was a kid, great place then, now not so much , but Mobile is a city which when I was there a few years ago was growing, it had a atmosphere of possibility , you could kind of feel it .

[@Sgt.Ro-CIB-11Bravo]

Sitting at an air bnb in foley right now, family and I just visited Ft. Morgan yesterday, it’s definitely worth putting your eyes on in person! Just to touch the walls was amazing!

[@ViPro2023]

I've been reading my Great Great Grandfather's journals from the Civil War. He was a Navy Lieutenant aboard the USS Kennebec at the Battle of Mobile Bay.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow!

[@mikejackson9342]

My grandad used to take all us grandkids to the fort when we'd go on vacation to Gulf Shores. As kids we were always amazed by the "blood stained steps". I'm 40 now and remember it like it was yesterday.

[@robertmosher7418]

You can actually see blood stains after all these years? That's crazy! That's nearly 160 years. Wow.

[@mikejackson9342]

@@robertmosher7418 that's the story but, now that I'm an adult I highly doubt that they are actual blood stains. However, 10 year old me bought that hook, line, and sinker. Lol

[@robertmosher7418]

I am not doubting that they very well could be. I have no idea what the conditions were. And I doubt that the Confederate army was all that concerned about cleaning up from the wounded during a siege. I know that we would have cleaned up any blood during a lull in the fighting today. That is just a moral thing though. You don't want guys thinking about that kinda stuff.

[@bayourat15]

Still there on the steps

[@kingjoe3rd]

I always thought more happened at Ft Morgan, but I looked it up, and apparently only 3 Confederates and 1 Union died in the battle. We never took the ferry as kids like he did in this video, we drove the long way and gosh was that boring and hot. I never really got to enjoy it when I was a kid as I was always in to other stuff.

[@steveparker7240]

I never get tired of looking at old buildings. If the bricks could talk, what stories they could tell.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Agreed!

[@Wreckdiver59]

Don't know what I'd do without some Sunday morning micro-aggression 😂. Thanks for another great video JD 👍 Love these civil war era forts.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

😅

[@HistorySavior1941]

Awesome job brother! Thank you for having me along! Have to definitely do it again.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@patricialenaburg6553]

Amazing how well preserved the fort is, so much history with stories to tell. As always JD good job, with a big yell out to Josh for his knowledge, and input.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@Bradhelton938]

I'm glad to see you in my home state. I've been to those forts many times, as well as the USS Alabama. There is alot of Civil War history in this state.

[@rrmorris67]

Wow. How cool was that? I commented on your Fort Gaines Video, too. Me and my son had the best day ever seeing those two forts and taking the ferry across really close to the time you were there. Due to winds and waves we almost didn't have a ferry to take over and were really worried but it worked out ok in the end. I've learned a few things I didn't pick up on when we were there. I've seen Moultrie and Sumter and Gaines and Morgan and Morgan is the coolest by far of the four. The sad truth of Sumter is that there isn't much of it left. But Morgan is a time capsule. Thank you for everything that you do. I envy you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! And yes, Morgan is most certainly a time capsule.

[@susanschaffner4422]

One of your best episodes. Since I've never seen a seaside fort, it was very informative. The brick and stone work was amazing. Damn those torpedoes! Good show.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome, thank you!

[@danielhughes5517]

As a lifetime Mobilian I'm glad to see this! Some of my best childhood memories took place there. Great video and please keep up the good work!!!

[@joshhenderson2556]

I’m from Mobile and it’s very cool that you made videos on Ft. Morgan and Ft. Gaines! I grew up going to both! Thank you!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad that you enjoyed it!

[@ladycavalier]

Same!! So cool

[@oregonoutback7779]

Enjoy this channel SO much !! Thanks JD.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@shauntemplar.26]

just bloody brilitant

[@davidrouleau6254]

As a Canadian citizen, I am quite interested in the history. Thank you for your time and showing us

[@bobbyjoemendoza4126]

I went to Fort Morgan a few years ago. I’m an avid history nerd and I loved it. I live in Fayetteville, Tennessee, and one day while walking around the courthouse I stopped by the two cannons that are positioned nearby. The plaque next to them said the day they were forged, when they were Resleeved with rifled barrels, and then in the late 1800s they were shipped by rail to Fort Morgan as part of a coastal defense battery in the Spanish American war. I’ve lived here, most of my childhood and well into my adult years, and I’ve never noticed that our guns went down to Fort Morgan.

[@kennethnew3075]

Sunday morning coffee. Great soundtrack. JD on a boat talking about history. Good times..

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@carolbell8008]

Wow! That fort and it’s history is awesome! The cannon are fantastic! Did you spot The USS Drum gato class submarine? My father was Chief on her before we entered WWll , she served in the North Atlantic protecting Merchant Marine from GermannNavy UBoats and was escort to The Alabama. General Lee’s brother was her Skipper in The War of Northern Aggression!! What great History there in Mobile, Alabama!! Well done! Thanks JD!!

[@HistorySavior1941]

Carol I would love to talk to you more about your father!

[@klsc8510]

Carol, twice I have been aboard the USS Alabama and USS Drum. Both are fond memories for me.

[@jared1870]

That bird wasn't lazy, he works smart, not hard! Thanks for another great video. I am definitely going to visit the South again.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! Thanks.

[@bradleycred99]

Howdy JD! Thanks for the tour and keeping this episode micro aggression free. 😉 Safe travel for you and yours. (Ps.91)

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks 😅

[@24escalade]

Know what I love about this channel? I have a degree in American history and always try to learn as much as I can and you open up my brain to knowledge I either missed or over looked in my years or never knew happened. Also you are better then any course I took in college.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Always learning 🙂

[@24escalade]

@@TheHistoryUnderground also thanks for being my “legs”. Being in wheelchair some of these spots or not to friendly but thru you still get to go 👍🏻

[@jackladny5864]

Thank you !

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@ZoeBurtonAudiobooksAndMore]

Oh my word ... my basement steps are open like that on one side and I fell off them this past May. I *think* I broke my elbow but since it still worked, I didn't get it checked out. All I could think as I watched you start up those steps was, "Please ... move closer to the wall and hold that rail!!!" I was very happy to see you make it to the top! LOL Thank you for another wonderful video. I have a whole list of places I want to visit now!

[@wayneswoods8824]

Another great video. Might I suggest Ft. Pulaski near Savannah/Tybee island. She still wears the scars from the Yankee bombardment.

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

Another great way to start a relaxing Sunday morning in Michigan! Keep up the great work JD

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Nice! Thanks.

[@timothyogden9761]

Hey Teach! Seeing those arched brick structures reminds us of the long standing Roman aqueducts. It would have taken a Roman effort to build and they look like are going to be around for many years to come. Thank you again for sharing your wealth of knowledge.

[@rickbrainard3447]

Great stuff JD. Thanks for sharing your history tours. Especially the ones that you showed the history from my neck of the woods in the United States. Kansas.

[@jjwebb9097]

Excellent! There is another video from the Maritime Museum that talks more about the battle in detail.. While your visit shows a beautiful clear day, because of the weather and wind direction, most of the smoke from cannons and guns blocked the view of the soldiers at the fort, impeding their defence and inevitable surrender. Thanks again! Excellent video to watch before visiting Fort Morgan! As far as the lazy sea gull, I've never been on the ferry when there hasn't been a shore bird hitching a ride!

[@janicepounds9934]

Loved the two on Ft Gaines and Ft Morgan. I have spent my adult life going on civil war trips, genealogy, and cemetery exploration. I have not been to either of these. Now I have. Thank you so much for all of the information you give us, your traveling buddies. I appreciate being able to go along!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@billd.iniowa2263]

12:07... Wow! Look at that frame! All solid cast iron I bet. Thanx for the tour JD. Safe travels to you. ;)

[@k9pc1235]

Very interesting snippet of history, it's interesting to see that fortifications were similar the world over. Here across the pond the forts around our coast line all look similar to this inparticular the forts around Dover and the Western heights. To be honest attacking these structures would have been a futile gesture as they were a mutually supported system of defenses, similar to the system your military engineers developed. On an interesting note the powder stores in our forts had small holes in the walls which had a glass pane across it, behind the glass was where a lamp was placed for illumination of the store; looking I think Fort Morgan has a similar system. Great series, very enjoyable and humbling at the same time.

[@tennesse_courier]

Great history video, Admiral Farragut was borned not far from me in area west of Knoxville Tennessee . Called Concord which the Farragut, community is. We even have a Farragut High School in. Tennessee. Really enjoyed this especially the interactions of battles. at sea.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow. Didn’t know that. Thanks!

[@judygrandstrand9784]

These videos just get better and better! Love this one!

[@stephenrrose]

Must be the “guys” version of going to the powder room! Fantastic job as always, you continue to blow me away with your music choices! Sets the mood perfectly! Thank you for teaching this old dog new things! Oh JD, keep your powder dry!!!!!!

[@lucypearson6176]

Thank you for another informative video on Civil War

[@Wendy-lm5gb]

Always look forward to your videos!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@jamesfournier3458]

A few years ago I happened to get a old photo album with pictures of Admiral Farragut and men who had served under him. The thing that was so interesting about this album, was that on the back of every picture he had written a description of each man, about they're looks, temperment, work ethic and they're personality. Such as, "Religious, tends to drink to much, but a hard worker." When I looked at this I felt like I was there. The sad thing is, my brother was a history and Civil War buff and I found this album right after he passed away. All I wanted to do was show him the album. He would have been over the moon!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow! That is crazy. I'd like to see that.

[@jamesfournier3458]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I'm afraid I no longer have it. My brother had a very good friend who was also a Civil War collector and his hands were literally shaking when he was holding the album. He couldn't believe it. Well, he made me an offer on the album which I couldn't refuse. I'm glad I sold it to him. My brother would have liked that.

[@timothyblackburn2830]

Amazing as always. Thank you JD!

[@brandicampbell6697]

I have been waiting on this video! Thank you so much for doing one on Ft Morgan. It is my favorite place on earth. There’s so much history there and it is beautiful.

[@scottjunge5992]

Enjoy your stay there they have the most beautiful beaches.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@kateclark7250]

This is a story that I didn't know. Thank you for telling us about the battle and these forts.

[@Mist3rData]

Man, that is cool to see! I hope you do more movies about civil war forts, this one is great.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yeah, I'll definitely be hitting some more in the future.

[@Mist3rData]

Excellent! The US Civil War is very interesting

[@maryannkelley7039]

The quality of the construction on that fort was amazing. Thank you for bringing us to see this awesome place.2👍🙂

[@terryeustice5399]

Thank you for the tour of Fort Morgan! Loved it! Thank you for sharing

[@benjaminrush4443]

Impressive Fort. Maintained in great shape. Thank you, Alabama. Nice review and summary of the Battle. Thanks.

[@americanschweitzer45]

How awesome would it be to see a live fire drill in the Howitzer ports? Well done once again!

[@scottcollins7180]

i have been to fort Morgan many times! I learn something new every time

[@usmdrummer]

Great video once again! We had an ACW living history at Ft. Morgan the first weekend of August.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@karenweir7310]

Great cover of one of our local treasures!

[@skimmer8774]

Very,very well done. FYI, there was a ballistic missile submarine named the Tecumseh. Also Tecumseh was a Shawnee chief.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@gordonvpeach2589]

Thanks for this information JD..appreciate it!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks for watching!

[@gordonvpeach2589]

​@@TheHistoryUnderground NP man I can hardly wait to see what you are bringing out next, because everything that you have done so far is so informative.

[@cfluff6716]

Always thought that Ft. Morgan Entrance was so sick!

[@timothymcknight9485]

As always, JD, wonderful video! Thanks, again!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@glennjudd2467]

Very interesting place !

[@robertstafford3449]

I truly enjoy your Channel the narration at you give any information at all these in places is wonderful I'll keep watching the videos thank you

[@jeremycox2983]

Excellent music for this video I enjoy videos that have violins playing its just adds character to the video & the story itself.

[@jamesedwards2483]

Would Love To See You Cover The Harbor Defenses Of Pensacola, Florida(Forts Barrancas, McRae, And Pickens, And The Advanced Redoubt Of Fort Barrancas!!!) Fort Pickens Is Unique In That It Never Fell To Confederate Forces, And Was Used To Hold The Great Apache Chief Geronimo After His Capture

[@brentsawyer2006]

Fort McRae doesn’t really exist anymore thanks to the Battle of Pensacola during the Civil War and a hundred years of hurricanes, last I heard it’s practically a mass of bricks. Fort Pickens is still holding up as well as Barrancas but due to Covid and the Dec 6th terrorist attack on NAS Pensacola (where Ft. Barrancas is located) only those with a DOD ID can go to it

[@lindsaymacpherson8782]

Great history shared there JD thankyou very much for sharing it

[@pg1171]

Thank you SO MUCH for providing a History lesson for people who haven't learned it in school. I live in very central Alabama, and have never visited Ft. Gaines or Ft. Morgan, though I have been to Ft. Pickens in Pensacola. If you haven't visited it yet, I highly recommend it. I will have to visit the 2 remaining forts in Mobile. There is also one to the West of Key West, but I can't remember the name of it. It is the Dry Tortugas. There are Iron furnaces at Tannehill and Brierfield, near me, as well as a Coke Furnace in my home town of West Blokcton. They are the old Bee Hive Furnaces that produced Coke for the Iron furnaces at Tannehill and Brierfield, as well as a few other Iron furnaces in the vicinity. They may be worth your visit, as they aren't too far apart. There is also a site of a supposed furnace near me, that I can take you to that is called Bibb Glades. Also, a battle site a few miles away where the troops that burned Atlanta encountered Southern Troops. It is named Trion. And a grave of a Southern Soldier that died on his way home. Just about 4-5 miles from my home. Thank you again SO MUCH for posting this!

[@themarydelfarmer5124]

Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware Bay , the Confederate Prison during the Civil war is a great place to visit , would be a good place to add to your list of Civil war places / forts . I live in Delaware and it is a great place to visit

[@032319581]

Have your ever gone to Fort Macon, NC? I love that place....ignore the beach and head there. When my father died, that is where I went and walked the dunes outside. It is my 'comfort place'.

[@mamab4211]

Wow 😯 great video!!! Again! Thank you for sharing 😊

[@michaelmeehan857]

Great Videos. Watch them while I'm exercising in the morning. Congratulations on your 100k subscriber award. Please do an episode on the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House (especially the Bloody Angle). Thanks!

[@johnblack7696]

Thanks for sharing another amazing video JD. I just can't say enough good things about you and your channel.❤️. Much love to you and your family and thanks again.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I appreciate that!

[@stephaniedenham3171]

I’m so glad you’ve come south too,

[@ltningstrike]

Welcome to our beloved Alabama/ Gulf Coast.

[@Jerry-fn5nx]

Very cool fort! Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead! 😀

[@charlescollins9413]

3 of my 3rd great grandfathers was stationed at Morgan during the war. I live 20 miles from the fort

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow!

[@plumbergeek]

My great, great....grandfather was captured at Vicksburg on July 4th 1863 & paroled to Fort Morgan on 7-15-63 off US steamer Suffolk. He went right back into service and surrendered at Greensboro NC on April 26, 1865.

[@ronaldhall2489]

I am 64 and remember field trips there when i was a kod where o where did the time go my friend? Great video brother many thanks

[@kimberleegullbailey2547]

Thank you so much for sharing!! I love America History too and certainly appreciate the places and knowledge you provide Sir. ❤🇺🇸🗽❤🙏

[@repairmaneman9366]

Good stuff as always. Thanks for sharing!

[@MiJacFan1]

The other day I was watching this show on the Smithsonian channel called Aerial America and they do a state for each episode. I just happened to catch Alabama featured, and they mentioned Admiral Farragut, the "Damn the torpedoes..." and this place. I had told my family that I heard you mentioned this place and the other fort on your prior episode. So cool to see things that relate! In the powder room, I was expecting to see some mirrors, nice floors, and a place to touch up your face! 🤣 Just kidding! Great job as always 👏!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! Thanks. Glad that you enjoyed it.

[@michaelbaumgardner2530]

Great video,Top Shelf presentation.

[@Cwise16]

My grandparents live up the road from it and we used to sneak into it at night all the time to try to find ghosts. It’s a super cool place and those steps are ridiculously too big

[@pigybak]

Thats not lazy, thats SMART!!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha!

[@royda60]

Fort Point, the Presidio and the batteries around the Golden Gate are a must for you as well.

[@brianwolf9647]

I’m not sure if you made it around Mobile much, but I was sad when I was last there and realized the statue of Admiral Semmes had been removed from above the Bankhead Tunnel. I’m not a southern sympathizer, I just think history is what it is and erasing it from view may not be the right answer.

[@keywest1ful]

Love all of your videos especially the ones on the civil war. Fort Morgan is amazing and reminds me a lot of Fort Jefferson in the dry torgugas. No battles were fought there but its structure and history are very similar..Wish you would do a video there also.

[@lessismore6062]

I must admit that I've never heard of Ft. Morgan. Thanks for educating me.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Our pleasure!

[@MysticMitch95]

I love the music in the background.

[@KowboyUSA]

Friday was the 234th anniversary of the signing of our COTUS. Construction on Fort Morgan was completed in 1834. The Battle of Mobile Bay was fought in 1864. By 1964 they were once again waging war on our COTUS in an underhanded, internecine battle to replace It with *1984,* a conflict the outcome of which may well be decided in 2024.

[@aslooijer]

Great place. Thanks for sharing. On to the next place JD.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

You bet!

[@history775]

Great video! Keep them coming! 👍

[@shadygiz]

another great episode ;)

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@guysammons1177]

You need to come to Savannah GA to visit Fort Pulaski. It was designed by Robert E Lee and then fell to the Confederates. Located to guard the mouth of the Savannah River. Retaken by Union forces using rifled cannons. Well preserved and maintained fort.

[@raizedbynerdz8718]

When he said pivot, I was waiting for the Ross meme to pop up PIVOT!!

[@derek89273]

The architecture is amazing

[@garydeurlein8708]

Excellent video!!!!

[@pigybak]

Oh man, we love ferries!!! Have you ferry across the Mississippi?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Not yet.

[@ladycavalier]

Lol loved the frog guarding the gate

[@robertsapp4893]

Living in Baldwin County has its advantages. I visit Fort Morgan at least once a year.

[@klsc8510]

JD, we have 2 forts that predate this nation in Michigan. One in Mackinaw City at the Straits and one on Mackinaw Island in the straits. Both are open summers only. Also, Mackinaw Island has a lot of history on its own. No cars allowed on the Island. You also have the Mackinaw Bridge that connects the two peninsulas of Michigan. It has quite a history too. Go a bit more north and you have the Soo Locks and the ore boat museum, Valley Camp. On this ship are the lifeboats from the Edmond Fitzgerald. Travel plans next summer???

[@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!

[@americanschweitzer45]

Those steps were pretty steep, you looked like you had to take them one step at a time and keep your balance!

[@karenziglar9306]

While you were in the Mobile Bay area, you should have visited Battleship Park. I grew up in Mobile, and the USS Alabama was always a favorite place to go. I am a history teacher, so we take field trips to Battleship Park.

[@camdodge9891]

Another fantastic video JD 👍