Draft:Cantonment Oglethorpe, GA

Cantonment Oglethorpe, Georgia (1826-1833)

Construction of Cantonment Oglethorpe, Georgia, began soon after the arrival of two regiments of US Federal troops (approximately 108-enlisted) in the Summer of 1826. The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah requested their presence. The soldiers were recently trained in artillery at Fortress Monroe in Philadelphia, PA when they occupied a portion of the densely forested 28-acres almost a mile outside of the Savannah.[1] Of the original acreage, approximately 8-acres[2] now comprises the southwest quadrant of Forsyth Park. Cantonment Oglethorpe was replaced by Oglethorpe Barracks (1833-1879), which was placed within the City of Savannah on Liberty Street.[3] The change in location was to mitigate the deaths of soldiers and their staff.[3]

Over 100-Deaths from Bilious Malignant Fever (1826-1828)

The Savannah Republican, February 28, 1829[1], republished a Philadelphia Evening Post article from a Savannah resident warning of the unhealthy conditions in Savannah causing the rise of a bilious malignant fever, (likely malaria), that had befallen the recently posted troops. According to the article, approximately one regiment had died from the Summer 1826 through the end of 1827. A replacement regiment arrived in April 1828 and by the end of 1828 an additional 51-soldiers, 5-women, and 16-children died from the bilious malignant fever. These deaths are not included within the Index to Register of Deaths in Savannah, GA[4]. The location of the remains of the women and children, and over 100-troops are not yet known.

Richard Wayne, MD., (1804-1856) a native of Screven County, GA, received his military commission and served as surgeon at Cantonment Oglethorpe after his training at Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. Mr. Wayne also served the City of Savannah as Alderman (1828, 1842, 1843), Mayor (1844-1856), and represented "Chatham County in two sessions of the lower house of the Legislature of Georgia". Mr. Wayne experienced good health until 1840 when he was afflicted by bilious fever accompanied by hemorrhages from the stomach while tending to patients in rice fields. While Mayor, Laurel Grove Cemetery was established, which is the place of his burial.[5]

Budget and Design

An initial budget of $14,452.51 for Cantonment Oglethorpe was estimated in January 1827 by the Department of War for the Congressional Military Committee[6], which itemizes most of the buildings, (including a hospital), and picket fencing except for the Washwomen’s Quarters, Magazine, Ordinance Store House, and privies. The wood for the buildings and perimeter picket fence were likely greatly fulfilled once a notice was posted in the Savannah Georgian, October 10, 1826, with the request for delivery of: “ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY TWO THOUSAND FEET OF PINE at the U.S. Cantonment (near Savannah) in pieces of TWENTY EIGHT FEET in length, 8 inches thick and not less that 12 inches in width.”[7] In addition to timber, Lieutenant J.B. Scott also sought firewood and fresh beef.[8]

From this site plan located at the National Archives, note the elevations are in a low-country style familiar to the region. Additional plans are available including one dated March 31, 1829, which has dimensions.The other plan appears to be the initial design due to the notation that the fencing design is incomplete. According to a site plan dated March 31, 1829, the northern picket fence is a continuous 450-feet, the west picket fence is 602-feet with a gate located near the Quarter Master and Company Stores, the east picket fence extends 480-feet south with the main gate at the approximate midpoint, the Barn and Stable is located in the southeast corner outside the picket fenced area where the south picket fence then extends 100-feet to the west with a gate in the approximate middle then pivots south 122-feet where the south picket fence then continues again for 350-feet to the west.[9]

Location of Cantonment Oglethorpe

In the deed (2O-187, deeds filed in Superior Court, Chatham County, GA) dated April 3, 1827, the United States of America officially purchased the northern half of Farm Lot 1, Holland Tything, Percival Ward (28 acres, 1.5 rods, 7 perches) for $800. The approximate modern references of boundaries of these 28-acres are: Montgomery Street, West; Gwinnett Street, North; the central promenade of Forsyth Park, (then White Bluff Road), East; and Park Avenue, South.

Mr. Charles Seton Henry Hardee (1830-1927) in his book of Reminiscences and Recollections of Old Savannah[10] indicates the location of the Old Cantonment was located at Park Avenue and Whitaker. The location is where he attended a May festival at the age of 10 . Mr. Hardee was the Treasurer for the City of Savannah for over 40-years and noted for fighting corruption[11].

Forsyth Park Evolution

The United States of America surrendered the site of Old Oglethorpe Barracks by Joint Resolution to City Council of Savannah on January 20, 1853 (3L-108).

References

1. Georgia, Digital Library of. "Savannah republican. (Savannah, Ga.) 1824-1829, February 28, 1829, Image 2". 2. "A History of the City Government of Savannah, Ga., from 1790 to 1901; Compiled from Official Records by Thomas Gamble, Jr., Secretary to the Mayor, Under Direction of City Council, 1900. - Digital Library of Georgia". dlg.usg.edu. Retrieved 2025-01-06. 3. Georgia, Digital Library of. "Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1868-1887, March 31, 1882, Image 4". 4. Genealogical Committee, Georgia Historical Society (1989). Index to Register of deaths in Savannah, Georgia : volumes IV, September 1818-1832 / compiled by the . Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, GA: Committee. pp. 179–234. 5. Collection GHS 0702, Savannah Physician Papers, Folder 1, Item 7, Richard Wayne. https://7063.sydneyplus.com/archive/final/Portal/Default.aspx?component=AABC&record=e1dd2a2b-b450-420f-9c64-a6496d06df21 6. Monroe, Mailing Address: 41 Bernard Road Building #17 Fort; Us, VA 23651-1001 Phone: 757-722-FORTContact. "Fort Monroe National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2025-01-06. 7. Georgia, Digital Library of. "Savannah Georgian. (Savannah, Ga.) 1824-1829, October 07, 1826, Image 3". 8. Georgia, Digital Library of. "Savannah Georgian. (Savannah, Ga.) 1824-1829, June 27, 1826, Image 3". 9. War Department. Office of the Chief of Engineers. 1818-9/18/1947. Plan of Cantonment, Oglethorpe. Records of the Office of the Chief of Engineers. 10. Hardee, Charles Seton Henry (1928). Reminiscences and Recollections of Old Savannah. Georgia Historical Society, Savannah GA. pp. 73–75. 11. Hardee, Carles Seton Henry (1928). Reminiscences and Recollections of Old Savannah. Savannah. pp. 38–44.