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 The following on-line catalogue shares the artifacts and historical documents associated with this battery on Whitemarsh Island, Georgia.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

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125-S2-L7-131.002

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Oyster shell - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
126-S2-L7-131.003

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Oyster shell - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
127-S2-L7-131.008

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Oyster shell - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
128-S2-L7-131.009

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Oyster shell - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
129-S2-L7-131.006

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Black glass - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
130-S2-L7-131.010

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Pottery - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
131-S2-L7-131.012

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Pottery - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
1862-04-01 Columbus Daily Sun

The Daily Sun (Columbus, GA)

An excerpt from the The Daily Sun describing the capture of Union soldiers on Whitemarsh Island by soldiers of the 13th Georgia Infantry Regiment, published by The Daily Sun on April 1, 1862.

The Daily Sun (Columbus, GA). April 1, 1862.
1862-04-04 Federal Union

Federal Union (Milledgeville, GA0

An excerpt from the Federal Union describing how the Assistant Surgeon of the 13th Georgia Infantry was shot in the leg, published in April of 1862.

Federal Union (Milledgeville, GA). "The Great Farce—The Enemy at Centreville." April 1862.
1862-04-07 Utica Morning Herald & Daily Gazette

Utica Morning Herald & Daily Gazette (Utica, NY)

An excerpt from the Utica Morning Herald & Daily Gazette describing skirmishes Wilmington Island, published on April 7, 1862.

Utica Morning Herald & Daily Gazette (Utica, NY). April 7, 1862.
1862-04-08 Weekly Chronicle and Sentinel

Weekly Chronicle and Sentinel (Augusta, GA)

An excerpt from the Weekly Chronical and Sentinel detailing a friendly fire incident that occurred just off of Whitemarsh Island during the American Civil War, published on April 8, 1862.

"Sad Accident," Weekly Chronicle and Sentinel (Augusta, GA), April 8, 1862.
1862-04-18 Savannah Daily News

Daily Morning News (Savannah, GA)

An excerpt from the Daily Morning News detailing a skirmish that occurred on Whitemarsh Island, including details of specific casualties, published on April 18, 1862.

Blois, Theodore. “A Fight on the Peninsula.” Daily Morning News. April 18, 1862.
1862-04-20 Memphis Daily Appeal

Memphis Daily Appeal (Jackson, MS)

An excerpt from the Memphis Daily Appeal detailing celebrations and shelling by the Union forces around Wilmington Island, Georgia, published on April 20, 1863.

“From Charleston.” Memphis Daily Appeal. April 20, 1863.
1862-04-22 The Weekly Sun

The Weekly Sun (Columbus, GA)

An excerpt from The Weekly Sun detailing a Skirmish that occurred on Whitemarsh Island between the 13th Georgia Regiment and Federal Forces, published on April 22, 1862.

“A Skirmish on Whitemarsh Island” The Weekly Sun. April 22, 1862.
1862-04-22 Weekly Chronicle and Sentinel

Weekly Chronicle and Sentinel (Augusta, GA)

An excerpt from the Weekly Chronicle and Sentinel detailing the actions of a sixteen year old boy and his bravery during battles at Whitemarsh Island, published on April 22, 1862.

“A Brave Boy.” Weekly Chronicle and Sentinel. April 22, 1862.
1862-04-23 Weekly Constitutionalist

Weekly Constitutionalist (Augusta, Ga.)

An excerpt from the Weekly Constitutionalist detailing at skirmish at Whitemarsh Island, published on April 23, 1862.

“A Skirmish at Whitemarsh Island.” Weekly Constitutionalist. April 23, 1862.
1862-04-24 Columbus Daily Sun

Columbus Daily Sun (Columbus, GA)

An excerpt from the Columbus Daily Sun detailing a skirmish between Federal Troops and the Second Brigade, Fourth Regiment State troops that occurred on Whitemarsh Island, published on April 24, 1862.

“A Brush with the Federals.” Columbus Daily Sun. April 24, 1862.
1862-04-26 Rome Tri-weekly Courier

Rome Tri-Weekly Courier (Rome, GA)

An excerpt from the Rome Tri-Weekly Courier describing a skirmish between the 13th Georgia Infantry and Federal troops on Whitmarsh Island, published on April 26, 1862.

Rome Tri-Weekly Courier. April 26, 1862.
1862-04-30 Augusta Constitutionalist

Augusta Constitutionalist (Augusta, Ga.)

An excerpt from the Augusta Constitutionalist detailing a skirmish between Federal Troops and the Second Brigade, Fourth Regiment State troops that occurred on Whitemarsh Island, published on April 24, 1862.

“A Brush with the Federals.” Columbus Daily Sun. April 24, 1862.
1862-05-12 Savannah Daily News

Savannah Daily News (Savannah, GA)

An excerpt from the Savannah Daily News detailing a group of captured Federal forces captured by the 13th Georgia Infantry on Whitemarsh and escorted through Savannah, published on April 5, 1862.

“Yankees Captured- Gallant Exploit of the Picket of the Georgia 13th.” Savannah Daily News. May 12, 1862.
1862-05-22 Rome Weekly Courier

Rome Weekly Courier (Rome, GA)

An excerpt from the Rome Weekly Courier detailing correspondence from Causton's Bluff and capture fifteen Federal prisoners Wassaw Sound by the 13th Georgia Infantry Regiment, published on May 22, 1862.

“Our Savannah Correspondence.” Rome Weekly Courier. MAy 22, 1862.
1862-05-23 Athens Post

Athens Post (Athens, GA)

An excerpt from the Athens Post detailing the capture of fifteen Federal navy officers by the 13th Regiment Georgia Volunteers, published on May 23, 1862.

“Federal Officers Captured.” Athens Post. May 23, 1862.
1862-06-27 The Savannah Republican

The Savannah Republican (Savannah, GA)

An editorial published in The Savannah Republican mentioning the departure of the 13th Georgia Infantry Regiment from Whitemarsh Island on June 27, 1862.

The Savannah Republican. June 27, 1862.
1863-04-20 Memphis Daily Appeal

Memphis Daily Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.)

An excerpt from the Memphis Daily Appeal detailing a Federal Gunboat going aground near Gibson's house on Whitemarsh Island, published on April 20, 1863.

“A Brush with the Federals.” Memphis Daily Appeal. April 20, 1863.
1864-02-05 Columbus Daily Times

Columbus Daily Times (Columbus, GA)

An excerpt from the Columbus Daily Times detailing a potential attack on Savannah Georgia and the attack on the picket at Whitemarsh Island by the Union forces, published on February 5, 1864.

“The Movements Below Savannah.” Columbus Daily Times. February 5, 1864.