Completed in 1862, Fort Sherman was designed to defend the great Union blockade base on Hilton Head against Confederate land attack, named after the first Union commander here, Gen. Thomas W. Sherman.
The fort consists of two miles of earthworks enclosing a 14-acre area. With other fortifications, Fort Sherman formed part of a defensive line 5 miles across the north end of the island. Fort Sherman became a rehearsal for Fort Howell and Fort Mitchell.
Fort Sherman is located in Port Royal Plantation.
