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 The following on-line catalogue shares the artifacts and historical documents associated with this battery on Whitemarsh Island, Georgia.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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001-S4-LNA-77.01

Morehead State University. History Department.
002-S4-LNA-114.01

Morehead State University. History Department.
003-S2-L1-125.036

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Curved clear glass, possibly from a liquor bottle - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
004-S2-L1-125.041

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Amber glass, 3 ridges - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
005-S2-L1-125.003

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Schlitz beer can top - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
006-S2-L1-125.015

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Curved amber glass, possibly neck to body of the bottle - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
007-S2-L1-125.026

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Curved amber glass - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
008-S2-L1-125.029

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Clear curved glass piece - Excavated between March 17-18, 2025
009-S2-L1-125.020

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Curved piece of an amber bottle - Excavated between March 17-19, 2025
010-S2-L1-125.027

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Clear glass, slight curve - Excavated between March 17-19, 2025
011-S2-L1-125.028

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Curved amber glass - Excavated between March 17-19, 2025
012-S2-L1-125.014

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Curved clear glass body with small piece of neck - Excavated between March 17-19, 2025
013-S2-L1-125.025

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Thin amber glass with slight curve - Excavated between March 17-19, 2025
014-S2-L1-125.022

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Curved amber glass - Excavation between March 17-19, 2025
015-S2-L1-125.011

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Glass bottle bottom - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
016-S2-L1-125.019

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Top of an amber glass bottle neck - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
017-S2-L1-125.007

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Clear glass bottle neck - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
018-S2-L1-125.018

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Clear glass piece, flat - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
019-S2-L1-125.016

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Clear curved glass piece - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
020-S2-L1-125.004

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Ring, possibly to container - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
021-S2-L1-125.042

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Curved amber bottle piece - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
022-S2-L1-125.013

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Amber glass, part of neck to bottle body - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
022-S2-L1-125.023

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Amber glass, bottom piece - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
023-S2-L1-125.021

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Small amber glass piece - excavated between March 17-19, 2025
024-S2-L1-125.001

Morehead State University History Department (Morehead, KY)

Amber beer bottle neck - excavated between March 17-19, 2025