Defending Savannah: History and Archaeology of the Gibson's Point Battery

The Gibson's Point Battery Database includes the artifacts recovered during the course of two archaeological surveys conducted by the faculty, staff, and students of Morehead State University and Georgia Southern University - Armstrong Campus in 2025 and 2026, and the documents collected as part of the Gibson's Point Battery Public History Project. The following on-line catalogue shares the artifacts and historical documents associated with this battery on Whitemarsh Island, Georgia.

The Confederate Battery built on Gibson's Point was named after the landowner, Richard T. Gibson, who acquired the property from his father Robert S. Gibson in 1834. Constructed in early 1864 to protect the Confederate held city of Savannah, Georgia, the Battery was built by enslaved labor to protect Whitemarsh Island, which was a battleground between Union and Rebel forces over the last two years of the war.

Gibson's Point Battery consisted of two gun implacements closer to Richardson Creek and a central redoubt. The battery was armed with two 8-inch siege howitzers and two 32-pounder cannons. The redoubt has been preserved and was the subject of an archaeological survey in 2025 and 2026.

Photographs by Serenity Jo Baughman
Metadata for artifacts and research materials by Emma McClure and Joan Rose

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow

051-S2-L2-126.024

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Corroded square nail - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
052-S2-L2-126.005

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Clear curved bottom lip of glass - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
053-S2-L2-126.019

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Curved amber glass - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
054-S2-L2-126.027

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Clear bottle neck - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
055-S2-L2-126.013

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Thin wire rod - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
056-S2-L2126.017

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Triangular amber glass shard - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
057-S2-L2-126.011

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Clear curved bottom of glass bottle - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
058-S2-L2-126.016

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Amber Budweiser glass shard - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
059-S2-L2-126.003

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Clear curved glass with edge - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
060-S2-L2-126.021

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Clear glass with curves and small divots - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
061-S2-L2-126.029

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Budlight bottle cap - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
062-S2-L2-126.031

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Head of a shotgun shell - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
063-S2-L2-126.026

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Rusted curled wire - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
064-S2-L2-126.004

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Clear curved glass with small divots - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
064-S2-L2-126.009

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Clear curved glass - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
066-S2-L2-126.030

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Rusted staple - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
067-S2-L2-126.018

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Friction primer - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
068-S2-L2-126.014

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Clear curved glass - excavated between Marc h17-19, 2025
069-S2-L2-126.020

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Curved amber glass with lettering, near neck of bottle - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
070-S2-L2-126.010

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Narrow clear glass shard - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
071-S2-L2-126.022

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Square corroded nail - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
072-S2-L2-126.012

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Slightly curved clear glass - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
073-S2-L2-126.025

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Rusted wire - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
074-S2-L2-126.001

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Faded brick - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
075-S2-L3-127.004

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Brick corner piece, faded red with burnt spots - excavated between March 17-19, 2025