Guarding Ossabaw Island: History and Archaeology of the 47th N.Y.V.I. Camp

The Ossabaw Island 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 Ossabaw Island Public History Project. The following on-line catalogue shares the artifacts associated with the camp of the 47th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which was stationed at Ossabaw Island from February to July 1863.

The 47th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, known as the "Washington Grays," was formed in 1861 and served throughout the Civil War, participating in numerous campaigns across the South. Initially recruited in New York City and Brooklyn, the regiment was mustered into service in September 1861 and saw action in key locations such as Hilton Head, Edisto Island, James Island, and Fort Wagner. The regiment endured significant losses, particularly at the Battle of Olustee in Florida, and later took part in major operations in Virginia, including the battles of Cold Harbor and Petersburg. Over its four years of service, the 47th New York was involved in both combat and garrison duties, suffering a total of 250 deaths from battle and disease before being mustered out in August 1865.

During 1863, the 47th New York was stationed on Ossabaw Island, Georgia, where they were primarily engaged in constructing fortifications, performing picket and guard duty, and supporting naval operations. The regiment faced harsh environmental conditions, including disease, challenging terrain, and wildlife, which affected their ability to perform camp duties. Notable events included the construction of Battery Seymour, skirmishes with Confederate forces, and the capture of some of their men. The 47th’s time on Ossabaw Island was marked by both military activity and the daily hardships of soldiering in the coastal South during the Civil War.

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1882-12-23 Annals of Savanah

Savannah Morning News (Savannah, GA)

A report on shipping incidents on and around Ossabaw Island from December 23, 1882, to December 31, 1882, published by the Savannah Morning News Index.

Savannah Morning News Index, Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 1882. Savannah, GA, 1882.
1898-08-27 Brooklyn Daily Times

Henry C. Walbridge

An article on the actions and involvement of the 47th New York Volunteer Infantry in and around Georgia, published in The Brooklyn Daily Times on Augusta 27, 1898.

"Brooklyn in the Rebellion." The Brooklyn Daily Times, August 27, 1898.
1898 Adjutant-General of New York Report

Wyknoop Hallenbeck Crawford Co. (Albany, NY)

A report on the registers of the First, Fifteenth, and Fiftieth Engineers, and First Battalion of Sharpshooters, published by the Wyknoop Hallenbeck Crawford Co. in 1899.

New York (State). Annual Report of the Adjutant-General of the State of New York for the Year 1898: Registers of the First, Fifteenth and Fiftieth Engineers, and First Battalion of Sharpshooters. New York and Albany: Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford Co., State Printers, 1899.
1907-07-25 Washington National Tribune

Washington National Tribune (Washington, D.C.)

A publication of a chapter from the experience of the 47th New York Volunteer Infantry, published by the Washington National Tribune on July 25, 1907.

Waage, Charles W. 1907. “A Chapter From the Experience of the 47Th N. Y..” Washington National Tribune, July 25, 1907.
1918 Georgia Ossabaw Island Quadrangle

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

A reconnaissance map depicting Ossabaw Sound and the surrounding area, published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1918.

“Ossabaw Island Quadrangle.” U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, 1918.
1918 USGS Ossabaw Island Quad

U.S. Geological Survey (Reston, VA)

A map of Polly Point and surrounding land on Ossabaw Island, published by the United States Geological Survey in 1918.

United States Geological Survey. 1918. “Ossabaw Island Quad.”
1926 Story of Ossabaw

H. N. T.

An article describing the History of Ossabaw Island, both natural and human, published by H.N.T. in 1926.

H. N. T. "The Story of Ossabaw." In Ossabaw Island, 1926
1932-12-25 Washington Sunday Star

Washington Sunday Star (Washington, D.C.)

An article discussing the actions President Herbert Hoover took on and around Ossabaw Island, published in the Washington Sunday Star on December 25, 1932.

Associated Press. 1932. “President Feted on Mossy Island.” Washington Sunday Star, December 25, 1932.
1944 USGS Map

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

A map depicting Ossabaw Sound and the surrounding area, published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1944.

“Ossabaw Island Quadrangle.” U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1944.
1945 USGS Map

Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army (Washington, D.C.)

A map depicting Ossabaw Sound and the surrounding area, published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1945.

“Ossabaw Island Quadrangle,” U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1918.
1945 USGS Ossabaw Island Quad

U.S. Geological Survey (Reston, VA)

A map depicting Ossabaw Sound and the surrounding area, published by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1945.

.“Ossabaw Island Quadrangle.” U.S. Geological Survey, 1945
1963 USGS Ossabaw Island Quad

U.S. Geological Survey (Reston GA)

A map depicting Ossabaw Sound and the surrounding area, published by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1963.

“Ossabaw Island Quadrangle.” U.S. Geological Survey, 1963.
1996 National Registry

National Park Service (Washington, (D.C.)

A registration form to register Ossabaw Island in the National Register of Historic Places, submitted on March 25, 1996.

National Park Service. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Ossabaw Island. Washington, D.C.: National Park Service,1996
2024 USGS Raccoon Key

U.S. Geological Survey (Reston, VA)

A map depicting the northern end of Ossabaw Island, specifically marking Bradley Point, published by the United States Geological Survey in 2024.

“Raccoon Key.” U.S. Geological Survey, 2024
47th NY-Clothing Transfer

United States Army (Arlington, VA)

A record of the transfer and accounting of clothing issued to the 47th New York Infantry on June 14, 1863.

United States Army, Clothing Transfer Record, 47th New York Volunteer Infantry, June 14, 1863, June 14, 1863.
47th NY Monthly Returns

United States Amry (Arlington, VA

A report on the events and actions of the 47th New York Infantry while on Ossabaw Island during March of 1863, published by the United States Army in 1863.

United States Army, Monthly Return of the 47th New York Volunteer Infantry, March 1863, 1863.
47th NY Muster Rolls

United States Army (Arlington, VA)

A record of the muster rolls of the 47th NY Infantry in the year 1861.

United States Army, Muster Roll of the 47th New York Volunteer Infantry, 1861 (1861).
47th NY Ordnance Report (June 1863)

United States Army (Arlington, VA)

A record of the weapons, ammunition and other equipment issued to and accounted for by the 47th NY Infantry.

United States Army, Ordnance Records of the 47th New York Volunteer Infantry, June 1863 (1863).
47th NY Ordnance Report (March 1863)

United States Army (Arlington, VA)

A record of the weapons, ammunition and other equipment issued to and accounted for by the 47th NY Infantry in March of 1863.

United States Army, Ordnance Records of the 47th New York Volunteer Infantry, March 1863 (1863).
4th Annual Report of the Bureau of Military Statistics of NY

Charles Van Benthuysen

A report on the actions and statistics of the Forty-Seventh New York Infantry in the south, published by the Chief of the Bureau of Military Statistics on February 11, 1867.

New York State Bureau of Military Statistics, Fourth Annual Report of the Bureau of Military Statistics, State of New York: Submitted to the Legislature February 11, 1867 (Albany, NY: Charles Van Benthuysen & Sons, 1867).
Blunt's American Coast Pilot

Edmund March Blunt

An excerpt from Blunt's American Coast Pilot on navigating around Ossabaw Sound and surrounding waterways, published originally in 1796

Blunt, Edmund.1796. American Coast Pilot. Newbury, ME.
Friel Letters - Brooklyn Historical Society

Daniel Friel and Hugh Friel

A set of letters between Hugh and Daniel Friel on multiple topics, including accounts of civil war life around Georgia, written from 1855-1866.
Map of Savannah Defenses

Library of the Department of War

A map detailing the defenses around Savannah, Georgia, and surrounding areas, published by the Library of the Department of War on January 30, 1926.

“Map of Savannah Defenses.” Library of the Department of War, 1926.
National Register of Historic Places Registration Form - Ossabaw Island

United States National Park Service.

Registration Form from the National Register of Historic Places of the National Park Service related to Ossabaw Island completed in 1996.
New York in the War of the Rebellion

Frederick Phisterer

A document discussing the actions and registers of the Forty-Seventh Infantry in and around Georgia from 1861-1865, published by the J.B. Lyon company in 1912.

Phisterer, Frederick. New York in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 to 1865. 3rd ed. Albany, NY: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.