The Burning of Darien
Darien, McIntosh County, Georgia
Marker Inscription
The Burning of Darien. On June 11, 1863 the seaport of Darien was vandalized and burned by Federal forces stationed on nearby St. Simons Island. The town was largely deserted, most of its 500 residents having sough refuge inland. Lost were public buildings, churches, businesses and most private residences. Conducting the raid were units comprised of among the first African-American troops to serve the Union cause, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteers under Col. Robert G. Shaw, and the 2nd South Carolina Volunteers under Col. James Montgomery. The burning of Darien, undefended and of little strategic importance, was one of the most controversial events of the Civil War. 2001.10Erected by The Georgia Historical Society and Lower Altamaha Historical Society 95-2
Erected by Georgia Historical Society
The Story
On June 11, 1863, Federal troops from nearby St. Simons Island burned the largely deserted seaport of Darien, destroying churches, businesses, and nearly every home while most of its 500 residents had fled inland. The raiders included the 54th Massachusetts Volunteers under Colonel Robert Gould Shaw—among the first African American regiments to serve the Union—and the 2nd South Carolina under James Montgomery. The needless torching of an undefended town became one of the war's most controversial acts.
Why it matters
Darien's destruction sharpened Northern debate over the conduct of the war and shadowed the celebrated 54th Massachusetts just weeks before its heroism at Fort Wagner.
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Related people
- · Robert G. Shaw
- · James Montgomery
Related events
- · Burning of Darien
Themes & tags
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