Untitled - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 161
which the greedy waves had already overthrown when we determined to preserve it.
On these very blocks of tabby the great and good Oglethorpe may have laid his hand.
It is preserved in honor of him, the Founder of Georgia, whose energy -was boundless,
whose watchfulness was unceasing."
It is to the Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America that the credit belongs
for the rescue of this historic ruin on the Georgia coast. Occasional visits to the
upper part of the island disclosed the sad plight in which the old fortifications were
left and emphasized the importance of immediate action if anything were done to
rescue the ancient land-mark from utter extinction. At one time there stood upon
the ruins of the old fort an occupied building. Just how long ago it stood here is
uncertain, but in removing the debris some of the workmen chanced to discover the
walls. Thus after the lapse of long years was the existence of the old fort brought
to the attention of the public. In 1902 a resolution was adopted by the Colonial
Dames looking toward the restoration of the ancient stronghold. This was possible
only in part; but without losing a moment's time these patriotic women took the
initiative, raised the funds which were needed for making the proper repairs, and
in due time completed the task. Embedded in one of the outer walls of the old fort
is an elegant tablet of bronze, eighteen by twenty-four inches, on which may be read
the following inscription:
OGLETHORPE
This remnant is all that time hag spared of the Citadel of the
Town of Frederica, built by General Oglethorpe, A. D., 1735, as an
outpost against the Spaniards in Florida. Presented by the Georgia
Society of Colonial Dames of America, 1904.
"With impressive exercises, the above mentioned tablet was unveiled on April 22,
1904. There were a number of distinguished visitors present, including representa-.
tivea from the various patriotic orders. The fort on this occasion was profusely
decorated with flowers. The tablet was covered with the British, flag, while the
American colors floated from the parapet. Mrs. J. J. Wilder, President of the
Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America, unveiled the tablet. The prayer of
invocation was offered by Eev. D. W. Winn, rector of Christ Church at Frederica,
after which the anthem "America" was sung by a choir of children. Then followed
an address by Mrs. Wilder, at the conclusion of which Captain C. S. Wylly, of
Brunswick, introduced the orator of the day, Hon. Pleasant A. Stovall, of Savannah,
who, in eloquent language, told the brave story of the old fort. Some few paragraphs
from this address are herewith reproduced.
Said Mr. Stovall, in substance: "Those who would have a glimpse of the real
James Oglethorpe must come to Frederica, for he was above everything else a sol
dier. When he had finished his earlier task at Savannah, his face by some mysterious
fascination was turned ,to the southward. He thereupon set out for St. Simon's
where, true to his military instincts, he built his forts and assembled his regiment,
and where, for the first time, yielding to the domestic spirit, he reared his roof-tree
and established the beginning of his home. Until he left the Colony never again
to return he resided at his cottage on St. Simon's Island, and of all the places
planted and nurtured by him, none so warmly enlisted his energies or engaged his
constant solicitude as this fortified town at the mouth of the river.
'' The men who sailed with Francis Drake and who ravaged the Spanish main in
the sixteenth century did not lead a more venturesome or heroic existence than did
Oglethorpe at Frederica, yet according to Colonel Jones, 'the only hours of leisure
he ever enjoyed were in sight and sound of his military works on the southern
frontier.' Weary of the outcries and intrigues of the settlers at Savannah, stung by
their evidences of ingratitude and discouraged by their protests against his benign
supervision, he found rest at Frederica, where he stationed his regiment and revived
a military regime. Here he mounted guard under the spreading oaks and watched
the sentinels as they paced the lonely shades. Now and then he conversed genially
with the cadets of the old families who had enlisted here, while ever and anon he
heard the bugles ring out in the silver moonlight and saw his guard sloop patrol the
estuaries of. the Altamaha.
"Oglethorpe proved to be a sea-fighter as well as an in/antry commander. He
seemed to be at home in every branch of the service. Napoleon, when he heard that
Vol. I—11