- Joined
- May 12, 2010
- Location
- Now Florida but always a Kentuckian
Fort McAllister was part of the defensive ring protecting the Confederate city of Savannah, Georgia. It was built of earthworks, sods and mounds of mud from the nearby Ogeechee River. McAllister's cherished mascot was Tom Cat, a large black cat adored by the garrison. Tom Cat would run back and forth along the defenses during battle, dodging the hail of musket fire.
Early in 1863 the Unionists began a series of determined naval assaults on the fort. The Commander, Major John B. Gallie was decapitated. About a month later on March 3, Tom Cat's luck ran out when a stray bullet ended his life. Tom was buried with full military honors and in the official report of the action his death was communicated to General Beauregard. His loss was keenly felt by the defenders of the fort. However, they held out until the end of 1864.
Often visitors, staff and re-enactors claim they have reported seeing a black cat running along the ramparts, in some of the rooms and peering toward the river. Others say they have felt a touch of fur on their legs. All the staff and administrators insist that there are no real cats living in the park grounds. So the question is, Does Tom Cat still run in the fort?
Early in 1863 the Unionists began a series of determined naval assaults on the fort. The Commander, Major John B. Gallie was decapitated. About a month later on March 3, Tom Cat's luck ran out when a stray bullet ended his life. Tom was buried with full military honors and in the official report of the action his death was communicated to General Beauregard. His loss was keenly felt by the defenders of the fort. However, they held out until the end of 1864.
Often visitors, staff and re-enactors claim they have reported seeing a black cat running along the ramparts, in some of the rooms and peering toward the river. Others say they have felt a touch of fur on their legs. All the staff and administrators insist that there are no real cats living in the park grounds. So the question is, Does Tom Cat still run in the fort?