| Fort Fisher | |
|---|---|
| Wilmington, North Carolina | |
 Fort Fisher (painting/excerpt 1890): shows stylized earthen walls along the Northern Bastion. Wilmington is a city in and the County seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. |
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| Built | 1861 |
| In use | 1861-1865 |
| Battles/wars | First Battle of Fort Fisher Second Battle of Fort Fisher |
Fort Fisher was a Confederate fort during the American Civil War. Year 1861 ( MDCCCLXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The First Battle of Fort Fisher, fought from December 7 to December 27 1864, was a failed attempt by Union forces to capture the Fort The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was a joint assault by Union army and naval forces against Fort Fisher, outside Wilmington North Carolina, near the The Confederate States of America (also called the Confederacy, the Confederate States, and CSA) formed as the government set up from 1861 Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South It protected the vital trading routes of the port at Wilmington, North Carolina, from 1861 until its capture by the Union in 1865. Wilmington is a city in and the County seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty-three The fort was located on one of Cape Fear River's two outlets to the Atlantic Ocean on what is today known as Pleasure Island. The Cape Fear River is a long Blackwater river in east central North Carolina in the United States. Because of the roughness of the seas there, it was known as the Southern Gibraltar.
Contents |
Significance
Wilmington
The city of Wilmington is located 29 miles (50 km) upstream from the mouth of the Cape Fear River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
During the war, Wilmington was one of the most important points of entry for supplies for the Confederacy. Its port traded cotton and tobacco in exchange for foreign goods, like munitions, clothing and foodstuffs. Cotton is a soft staple Fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant ( Gossypium sp Tobacco is an Agricultural product recognized as an addictive drug processed from the fresh Leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. Ammunition, often referred to as ammo, is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which Clothing (also called clothes, accoutrements, accouterments, or habiliments) protects the Human body from extreme Weather Food is any substance usually composed primarily of Carbohydrates Fats water and/or Proteins that can be eaten or drunk by an This nourished both the southern states in general and General Robert E. Lee's forces at Virginia. Robert Edward Lee (January 19 1807 &ndash October 12 1870 was a career United States Army officer, an Engineer, and among the most celebrated The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state Trade was based on the coming and going of steamer ships of British smugglers. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Smuggling, also known as trafficking, is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons past a point where prohibited such as out of a building into a Prison These vessels were called "blockade runners" because they had to avoid the Union's imposed maritime barricade. The Union Blockade refers to the naval actions between 1861 and 1865 during the American Civil War, in which the Union Navy maintained a massive effort on the Mostly, the blockade runners came indirectly from British colonies, such as Bermuda, Bahamas or Nova Scotia. Ba (officially The Bermuda Islands or The Somers Isles) is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. The Bahamas, officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an independent sovereign English -speaking country consisting of two thousand Cays and Nova Scotia (ˌnəʊvəˈskəʊʃə ( Latin for New Scotland; Alba Nuadh Nouvelle-Écosse is a Canadian province located on Canada 's Often, they were forced to fly the Confederate insignia since the Union had imposed the death penalty on British "pirates" captured in the region.
After the fall of Norfolk, Virginia in May 1862, the importance of Wilmington was further increased. Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state It became the main Confederate port on the Atlantic Ocean. Considering the Atlantic seashore, Wilmington's defenses were so sturdy that they were only surpassed by Charleston's, in South Carolina. Charleston is a city in Charleston county in the US state of South Carolina. South Carolina ( is a state in the southern region ( Deep South) of the United States of America. Wilmington resisted for a long time, mainly because of Fort Fisher's presence.
Cape Fear River
South of Wilmington, along the Cape Fear River's last 20 miles (30 km), a handful of Confederate forts and batteries protected the daily flow of ships. Also, the channel had been purposely jammed with loads of wreckage and aquatic mines, which were called "torpedoes. " The Confederate officers conducted each ship cautiously through this barrier.
Particularly at Cape Fear's outlet to the Atlantic, the area was enclosed by a half dozen Confederate positions. The river flowed to the sea through two relatively shallow inlets, which were partitioned by Smith Island. The existence of two inlets resulted in a crucial advantage: guided by the Confederates, the blockade runners were capable of avoiding the Union ships. They simply had to change course unexpectedly, alternatively between the two inlets.
Near the beginning of the war, the Confederacy occupied the Federal Point peninsula, which was located at an advantaged location upon Cape Fear's New Inlet.
History
Early structures
The first artillery batteries were placed in the spring of 1861, one mile (1,600 m) from the New Inlet. Maj. Charles Pattison Bolles supervised the works. The regional command was conformed by Gen. Theophilus H. Holmes and Maj. Theophilus Hunter Holmes ( November 13, 1804 &ndash June 21, 1880) was a career U William H. C. Whiting (Bolles' brother-in-law), as chief inspector of North Carolina's defenses. William Henry Chase Whiting ( March 22, 1824 &ndash March 10, 1865) was an U
Later, when Bolles was transferred to Oak Island, Capt. Oak Island North Carolina is a Town located mostly on Oak Island (which also contains the town of Caswell Beach and the William Lord DeRosset took his place. DeRosset brought Wilmington's Light Infantry to the primitive artillery position, and he named the place "Bolles Battery. " Bolles Battery had a succession of interim commanders. Additionally, a training site, Camp Wyatt, was built north of the battery.
In the summer of 1861, the commander was Colonel Seawell L. Fremont. He was from the 1st NC Volunteer Artillery and Engineers. He added the following batteries along the isthmus:
- Meade Battery
- Zeke's Island Battery
- Anderson Battery
- Gatlin Battery
Around September, the placement was definitively christened "Fort Fisher", after Col. Charles F. Fisher who was from the 6th NC Infantry and fell at the First Battle of Manassas. Background Brig Gen Irvin McDowell was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln to command the Army of Northeastern Virginia.
Along the peninsula, the civilian population was scarce and consisted of some small family farms. The region was surrounded by pine woods. Typically, Confederate pilots would climb the tall pine trees with large ladders, spot the nearest blockade runner and then depart, meeting the incoming ship to guide it past the several passive defenses to Wilmington.
Over time, Fort Fisher was further overhauled with more powerful artillery which had been provided from Charleston. So armed, the fortress could force the Union blockade to remain well offshore, which also ensured that the Union ships could not shell the shoreline.
Fortifications
In July 1862, Col. William Lamb assumed command of the fort. Soon after arriving, he expressed some displeasure at Fort Fisher's ongoing crude state. The fall of Norfolk increased the fort's prominence, since Wilmington's trading activity had to be secured. A line of soil-mounts was built which formed the Land Face, which extended along Shepherd Battery to the sea. The Sea Face was constructed later as a continuation of the previous mount line. It was extended down to a location which would constitute Mound Battery. At the intersection of both faces, the Northeast Bastion was erected, which was 30 feet (9 m) high. Mound Battery was the most important structure of Fort Fisher, and it was built during spring of 1863. It demanded a workforce of many hundreds and the use of a small locomotive which discharged the soil over the pile. A lighting beacon was installed at its pinnacle and was used to signal the blockade runners.
Being built mostly of soil, Fort Fisher's structure was particularly efficient at absorbing salvos of heavy ordinance . This aspect of its design emulated the Tower of Malakoff which had been constructed at Sevastopol, Russia, during the Crimean War. Sevastopol ( see pronunciation below) is a port city in Ukraine, located on the Black Sea coast of the Crimea Peninsula Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The Crimean War, also known in Russia as the Eastern War (Восточная война Vostochnaya Vojna) (March 1854–February 1856 was fought
Over time, more than a thousand individuals including Confederate soldiers and slaves, had toiled at the location. Slavery in the United States began soon after English colonists first settled Virginia in 1607 and lasted until the passage of the Thirteenth The efforts had drawn more than 500 black workers from nearby plantations. Some Native Americans, mostly Lumbee Indians, also had been brought to assist with work on the fortifications. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States
After the improvements, Fort Fisher became the largest Confederate fort. In November 1863, President Jefferson Davis visited the facilities. Jefferson Finis Davis ( June 3, 1808 &ndash December 6, 1889) was an American politician who served as President of the In 1864, the complete regiment of the 36th North Carolina quartered inside Fort Fisher. In October 1864, Buchanan Battery was built.
Protecting Cape Fear's inlet
As a rule, the menacing Union's battleships could not sidestep Fort Fisher's massive presence, and they were forced to remain far from shoreline because of the coastal artillery.
Land defense
The land defense extended 1,800 feet (540 m), over 15 mounts. It held 25 guns which were 32 feet (10 m) above sea level. The mounts shared an underground network which could not be penetrated by artillery. Downward, the refuge was also used as arsenal. Prior to the walls, a 9-foot (2. 7 m) tall stake fence was used.
Sea defense
The sea defense extended one mile (1. 6 km). It consisted of 22 guns at 12 feet (3. 6 m) above sea level, with 2 large batteries at the extremes. Two ancillary pieces were built at two smaller mounts. Respectively, they housed a telegraphic office and a bomb-resistant hospital. A hospital is an institution for Health care providing treatment by specialised staff and equipment and often but not always providing for
Buchanan Battery
The Buchanan Battery was a small fortification which was located at the furthest tip of the peninsula, right over Cape Fear's New Inlet.
Weapons
Along the sea defense, there were numerous Columbiad 8 inch cannon, along with a few 10 inch. The Columbiad was a large Caliber, Smoothbore, Muzzle loading Cannon able to fire heavy Projectiles at both high and low trajectories Barbette carraiges were installed around each of the canon, and the canon extended along both faces of Shepherd Battery and Mound Battery. For the early 20th Century female impersonator see Barbette (performer A barbette is a protective circular armor feature around a Cannon Siege weapons included 4. 5 inch Parrott Rifles at the Shepherd Battery, and two 24-pound Coehorn Mortars and one 8 inch seacoast mortar along the land face. The Parrott rifle was a type of muzzle loading rifled Artillery weapon used extensively in the American Civil War. A mortar is a muzzle-loading Indirect fire weapon that fires shells at low velocities short ranges and high-arcing ballistic trajectories A mortar is a muzzle-loading Indirect fire weapon that fires shells at low velocities short ranges and high-arcing ballistic trajectories Along the entrance was stationed a 12 pound Napoleon-M1857 and a 3 inch Parrott Rifle.
Battles
The Union planned to seize Wilmington after Mobile, Alabama fell in August 1864. Alabama (formally the State of Alabama;) is a State located in the southern region of the United States of America. By September 1864, a variety of sources—such as the Confederate intelligence and some Union newspapers—conjectured an imminent Union attack on either Charleston or Wilmington.
2,400 men were at Fort Fisher. Unfortunately, they were insufficiently trained for defending against a land attack. Because of demands from other battlefronts—particularly Richmond—the defenders were being slowly replaced by local forces from North Carolina. For example, the Cape Fear River was further filled with "torpedoes", and a breastwork was built at the northern end of the fortification in order to contain any landing forces.
Because of his alcoholism and other personal problems, Lee removed Whiting from command, and General Braxton Bragg was assigned as commander for the region. Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions Braxton Bragg (March 22 1817 &ndash September 27 1876 was a career United States Army officer and then a General in the Confederate States Army, a In November 1864, Bragg was ordered to join the battle against William T. Sherman in Georgia. The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule For this, Bragg detached 2,000 troops from the already feeble Wilmington defensive lines. When Ulysses S. Grant was informed about this specific maneuver, he began formulating the definitive plan of invasion. Ulysses S Grant, born Hiram Ulysses Grant (April 27 1822 &ndash July 23 1885 was an American general and the eighteenth President of the United States
First battle
On December 15, 1864, Jefferson Davis supposed that Wilmington had not yet been attacked because it would have demanded "the withdrawal of too large a [Union] force from operations against points which they deem more important to us. The First Battle of Fort Fisher, fought from December 7 to December 27 1864, was a failed attempt by Union forces to capture the Fort Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 1864 ( MDCCCLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year " Otherwise, "fleets and armies" would have already been "at the mouth of the Cape Fear. "
In December 1864, Union Major General Benjamin Butler, together with the Expeditionary Corps of the Army of the James, was detached from the Virginia theater for an amphibious mission to capture Fort Fisher. The Army of the James was a Union Army that was composed of units from the Department of Virginia and North Carolina and served along the James River during the final He was joined by Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter who commanded Union naval forces already in the region. David Dixon Porter ( June 8, 1813 – February 13, 1891) was a United States Admiral who became one of the most The Union Navy is the term commonly used to describe the United States Navy and its acts during the American Civil War.
After being informed about the large Union army heading toward Wilmington, General Lee ordered Major General Robert Hoke's Division to Fort Fisher. Robert Frederick Hoke ( May 27, 1837 &ndash July 3, 1912) was an American businessman railroad executive and a Confederate Also, Hoke took command of all Confederate forces in the Wilmington area.
The Union attack started on December 24, 1864 with a naval bombardment. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Year 1864 ( MDCCCLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year The firepower of Fort Fisher was temporarily silenced because some of its gun positions exploded. This allowed the Navy to land Union infantry. The Infantry in the American Civil War comprised foot-soldiers who fought primarily with Small arms, and they carried the brunt of the fighting on battlefields across The landing force was intercepted by the arrival of Hoke's troops. The Union attack was effectively thwarted, and on December 27 Benjamin Butler ordered the withdrawal of his 1,000 soldiers who were still on the beach. Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the This was in disobeyance of Grant's orders, which were to besiege the fort if the assault failed. Because Butler disobeyed his orders, he was relieved of command by Grant.
Second battle
After Butler's removal, he was replaced by Major General Alfred Terry, and the operation was dubbed "Terry's expedition. The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was a joint assault by Union army and naval forces against Fort Fisher, outside Wilmington North Carolina, near the Alfred Howe Terry (November 10 1827 &ndash December 16 1890 was a Union general in the American Civil War and the military commander of the Dakota Territory " Admiral Porter was again in charge of the naval attack. They waited until January 12, 1865, for the second attempt. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople Year 1865 ( MDCCCLXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year
They started with a strong bombardment from 56 ships for two and a half days. This targeted both of Fort Fisher's fronts. On January 15 at 3 p. Events 588 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah 's reign m. , 8,000 Union soldiers landed at the Land Face. While ships shot over the uppermost batteries, the Union troops entered the fortification through Shepherd Battery. Thus, the Confederate soldiers found themselves battling behind their walls, and were forced to retreat.
Altogether, the land battle lasted six hours. At nighttime, General Whiting, who had been injured during the battle, surrendered as Commander of the District of Cape Fear. He was then imprisoned, where he died March 10, 1865. The Confederates who had been captured were taken to prisons in New York. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous
The battle was the largest amphibious operation until the Second World War. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including
Aftermath
After the fall of Fort Fisher, the trading route toward Wilmington was cut. On February 22, the Union occupied Wilmington definitively. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne The war officially ended three months later.
Because of natural sea attrition, just few of the original sand mounts have survived. Nevertheless, a part of the original Front-Side fence has been reconstructed.
The site has been declared national historic landmark and a state recreation area which features the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, a museum and a visitor center. A National Historic Landmark (NHL is a Building, site, Structure, Object, or District, that is officially recognized by the The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is a Public aquarium located at Fort Fisher in Kure Beach North Carolina A museum is a "permanent institution in the service of society and of its development open to the public which acquires conserves researches communicates and exhibits the Undersea archaeology is also practiced around the site. Underwater archaeology is the study of past Human life behaviours and cultures using the physical remains found in salt or Fresh water or buried beneath
References
- 1865 survey of fort
- 1865 sketch of vicinity
- North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources: Fort Fisher
- AmericanCivilWar.com
- nationalatlas.gov
- Civil War Battles Page
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Major General Butler's Book, Chapter XVII
- Butler's son-in-law's "Capture of Fort Fisher"
- Curtis's "Capture of Fort Fisher"
- A True History of the Army at Fort Fisher
- Confederate Col. Lamb's defence of the fort
- The navy (Ammen, pp. 402-414)
- Ammen's The Atlantic Coast, pp. 215(DjVu 28)-244.
- Gen. U.S. Grant's Memoirs, Chapter LXI
- It´s a curiosity about "ghosts", by Haunted North Carolina Paranormal Research and Investigations.
See also
- First Battle of Fort Fisher
- Second Battle of Fort Fisher
- Wilmington, North Carolina, in the Civil War
- The Lowry War
External links
- Fort Fisher—Last Major Stronghold of the Confederacy
- North Carolina historical sites
- North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
- Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area
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