Fort Fisher

Fort Fisher was a Confederate fort during the American Civil War. It protected the vital trading routes of the port at Wilmington, North Carolina, from 1861 until its capture by the Union in 1865. The fort was located on one of Cape Fear River's two outlets to the Atlantic Ocean. Because of the roughness of the seas there, it was known as the Southern Gibraltar. Image File history File links Ana-fortfisher-2006. ... Image File history File links Ana-fortfisher-2006. ... Motto: Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God, Our Vindicator) Anthem: God Save the South (unofficial) Dixie (traditional) The Bonnie Blue Flag (popular) Capital Montgomery, Alabama (until May 29, 1861) Richmond, Virginia (May 29, 1861–April 2, 1865) Danville, Virginia (from April 3, 1865) Language(s) English (de facto) Government Republic President... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Wilmington is a city in New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. ... In this map:  Union states prohibiting slavery  Union territories  Border states on the Union side which allowed slavery  Kansas, which entered and fought with the Union as a free state after the Bleeding Kansas crisis  The Confederacy  Confederate claimed and sometimes held territories During the American Civil War, the Union... The Cape Fear River, shown highlighted, with its tributaries The Cape Fear River is a 202 mi (325 km) long river in east central North Carolina in the United States. ... Outlet may mean: A place or opening by which anything is let out (e. ...

Fort Fisher (painting/excerpt 1890): shows stylized earthen walls along the Northern Bastion.

Image File history File links Battle_of_Fort_Fisher_flags_stockade. ... Image File history File links Battle_of_Fort_Fisher_flags_stockade. ...

Significance

Wilmington

Main article: Wilmington, North Carolina, in the Civil War

The city of Wilmington is located 30 miles (50 km) upstream from the mouth of the Cape Fear River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Region down Cape Fear River Wilmington, North Carolina, was a major Atlantic Ocean port city for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. ...

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. This nourished both the southern states in general and General Robert E. Lee's forces at Virginia. Trade was based on the coming and going of steamer ships of British smugglers. These vessels were called "blockade runners" because they had to avoid the Union's imposed maritime barricade. Mostly, the blockade runners came indirectly from British colonies, such as Bermuda, Bahamas or Nova Scotia. Often, they were forced to fly the Confederate insignia since the Union had imposed the death penalty on British "pirates" captured in the region. Cotton ready for harvest. ... Species Nicotiana acuminata Nicotiana alata Nicotiana attenuata Nicotiana benthamiana Nicotiana clevelandii Nicotiana excelsior Nicotiana forgetiana Nicotiana glauca Nicotiana glutinosa Nicotiana langsdorffii Nicotiana longiflora Nicotiana obtusifolia Nicotiana paniculata Nicotiana plumbagifolia Nicotiana quadrivalvis Nicotiana repanda Nicotiana rustica Nicotianasuaveolens Nicotiana sylvestris Nicotiana tabacum Nicotiana tomentosa Ref: ITIS 30562 as of August 26, 2005... Materiel (from the French for material) is the equipment and supplies in Military and commercial supply chain management. ... Men and women wearing suits, an example of one of the many modern forms of clothing (from the 1937 Chicago Woolen Mills catalog) Clothing is defined, in its broadest sense, as coverings for the torso and limbs as well as coverings for the hands (gloves), feet (socks, shoes, sandals, boots... Foodstuffs is a New Zealand co-operative grocery distributer and franchiser for its three supermarket brands - New World, Pakn Save and 4 Square. ... Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 12, 1870) was a career U.S. Army officer and the most celebrated general of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War. ... Official language(s) English Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Area  Ranked 35th  - Total 42,793 sq mi (110,862 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 430 miles (690 km)  - % water 7. ... These lollipops, above, were found to contain heroin when inspected by the DEA. Smuggling is illegal transport, in particular across a border. ... 1861 Cartoon map of the blockade // 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 Atlantic and Gulf Coast of the Confederate States of America designed to prevent the passage of... Motto: Munit Haec et Altera Vincit (Latin: One defends and the other conquers) Official languages English, French (Canadian Gaelic) [] Capital Halifax Largest city Halifax Regional Municipality Lieutenant-Governor Mayann E. Francis Premier Rodney MacDonald (PC) Parliamentary representation  - House seats  - Senate seats 11 10 Area Total  - Land  - Water  (% of total)  Ranked...

After the fall of Norfolk, Virginia in May 1862, the importance of Wilmington was further increased. 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. Wilmington resisted for a long time, mainly because of Fort Fisher's presence. Motto: Crescas (Latin for, Thou shalt grow. ... Official language(s) English Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Area  Ranked 35th  - Total 42,793 sq mi (110,862 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 430 miles (690 km)  - % water 7. ... Nickname: The Palmetto City Motto: Aedes Mores Juraque Curat (She cares for her temples, customs, and rights) Location of Charleston in South Carolina. ... Official language(s) English Capital Charleston(1670-1789) Columbia(1790-present) Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Area  Ranked 40th  - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 260 miles (420 km)  - % water 6  - Latitude 32°430N to 35...

Cape Fear River

Region down 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. Image File history File links Ana-capefear-2006. ... Image File history File links Ana-capefear-2006. ...

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. South Shetland Islands Smith Island (63°00′ S 062°30′ W) is 29 km (18 mi) long and 8 km (5 mi) wide, lying 72 km (45 mi) west of Deception Island in the South Shetland Islands. ...

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. W. H. C. Whiting (Bolles' brother-in-law), as chief inspector of North Carolina's defenses. Theophilus Hunter Holmes (November 13, 1804 – June 21, 1880) was a career U.S. Army officer and a Confederate general in the American Civil War. ...

Later, when Bolles was transferred to Oak Island, Capt. 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. Oak Island is a town located in Brunswick County, North Carolina. ...

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 "Forth Fisher", after Col. Charles F. Fisher who was from the 6th NC Infantry and fell at the First Battle of Manassas. First Battle of Bull Run Conflict American Civil War Date July 21, 1861 Place Fairfax County and Prince William County Result Confederate victory The First Battle of Bull Run, referred to as the First Battle of Manassas in the South, (July 21, 1861) was the first major land battle of...

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. William Lamb was an officer in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. ...

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. now. ... Combatants Allies: Second French Empire United Kingdom Ottoman Empire Kingdom of Sardinia Russian Empire Bulgarian volunteers Casualties 90,000 French 35,000 Turkish 17,500 British 2,050 Sardinian killed, wounded and died of disease 256,000 killed, wounded and died of disease The Crimean War (1854–1856) was fought...

Over time, more than a thousand individuals including Confederate soldiers and slaves, had toiled at the location. The efforts had drawn more than 500 black workers from nearby plantations. Some Native Americans also had been brought to assist with work on the fortifications. Slave sale in Easton, Maryland The history of slavery in the United States began soon after Europeans first settled in what became the United States. ... Native Americans are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States, including parts of Alaska. ...

After the improvements, Fort Fisher became the largest Confederate fort. In November 1863, President Jefferson Davis visited the facilities. In 1864, the complete regiment of the 36th North Carolina quartered inside Fort Fisher. In October 1864, Buchanan Battery was built. Jefferson Davis (June 3, 1808 - December 6, 1889) was an American statesman who was President of the Confederate States of America, as well as a Congress man for Kentucky, for its entire history from 1861 to 1865 during the American Civil War. ...

Sea Face Image File history File links Ana-fisher-etow-2006. ...

Around Northern Bastion Image File history File links Ana-fisher-nebastion-2006. ...

Western Land Face Image File history File links Ana-fisher-land-2006. ...

Eastern Land Face Image File history File links Ana-fisher-land-sea-2006. ...

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 penetrating 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 physician visiting the sick in a hospital. ...

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. Barbette carraiges were installed around each of the canon, and the canon extended along both faces of Shepherd Battery and Mound Battery. Siege weapons included 4.5 inch Parrott Rifles at the Shepherd Battery, and a 24-pound Coehorn Mortar and two 8 inch mortars along the land face. Along the entrance was stationed a 12 pound Napoleon-M1857 and a 3 inch Parrott Rifle. The Columbiad was an artillery piece invented by Colonel George Bomford, US Army, in 1811. ... A barbette is the fixed area underneath a rotating gun turret on a warship. ... US soldier loading a M224 60-mm mortar. ... US soldier loading a M224 60-mm mortar. ...

Battles

The Union planned to seize Wilmington after Mobile, Alabama, fell in August 1864. By September 1864, a variety of sources—such as the Confederate intelligence and some Union newspapers—conjectured an imminent Union attack over either Charleston or Wilmington. Nickname: The Azalea City Coordinates: Country US State Alabama County Mobile Founded 1702 Incorporated 1814 Mayor Sam Jones Area    - City 412. ... Official language(s) English Capital Montgomery Largest city Birmingham Area  Ranked 30th  - Total 52,419 sq mi (135,765 km²)  - Width 190 miles (306 km)  - Length 330 miles (531 km)  - % water 3. ...

2,400 men were at Fort Fisher, and they had insufficient training for defending against land attack. Because of demands from other battlefronts—particularly Richmond—the defense was slowly augmented by local veteran forces from North Carolina. Meanwhile, some special measures were also taken around Fort Fisher. For example, Cape Fear River was further filled with more "torpedoes", and a breastwork was built at the northern vicinity of the fortification in order to contain any landing forces.

Because of alcoholism and other personal problems, Gen. Lee removed Whiting from command, and Gen. Braxton Bragg was assigned as the new commander for the region. In November 1864, Bragg was ordered to join the battle against William T. Sherman in Georgia. 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. Alcoholism is the consumption of, or preoccupation with, alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the drinkers normal personal, family, social, or work life, and may lead to physical or mental harm. ... Braxton Bragg Braxton Bragg (March 22, 1817 – September 27, 1876) was a career U.S. Army officer and a general in the Confederate States Army, a principal commander in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. ... Portrait of William Tecumseh Sherman by Mathew Brady William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, and author. ... Ulysses S. Grant[1] (born Hiram Ulysses Grant, April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was an American general and politician who was elected as the 18th President of the United States (1869–1877). ...

First battle

Main article: First Battle of Fort Fisher

On December 15, 1864, Jefferson Davis mused 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." Otherwise, "fleets and armies" would have already been "at the mouth of the Cape Fear." First Battle of Fort Fisher Conflict American Civil War Date December 7-27, 1864 Place New Hanover County, North Carolina Result Confederate victory The First Battle of Fort Fisher was a failed attempt by Union forces to capture the fort guarding Wilmington, North Carolina, the Souths last major port... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ...

In December 1864, Union Maj. Gen. 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. He was joined by Admiral David Porter who commanded the Union naval forces already in the region. Benjamin Franklin Butler (1795–1858) was a U.S. lawyer. ... The Army of the James was a Union Army that was composed of unites from the Department of Virginia and North Carolina and served along the James River during the last opperations of the Civil War in Virginia. ... David Porter (February 1, 1780 – March 3, 1843) was an officer in the United States Navy and later the commander-in-chief of the Mexican Navy. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

After being informed about the large Union army heading toward Wilmington, General Lee ordered Major General Robert Hoke's Division to Fort Fisher. Also, Hoke took total command of all Confederate forces in the Wilmington area. This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

The Union attack started on December 24, 1864, by means of Admiral Porter's naval bombardment. It was so effective that the firepower of Fort Fisher was temporarily silenced because some of its gun positions exploded. This allowed the Navy to land the Union infantry. The landing force was intercepted by the arrival of Hoke's troops. The Union attack was thus effectively thwarted, and on December 27 Benjamin Butler ordered the withdrawal of his 1,000 soldiers who were still on the beach. December 24 is the 358th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (359th in leap years). ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... During the American Civil War, the infantry, foot-soldiers fighting primarily with small arms, carried the brunt of the fighting on battlefields across the country. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (362nd in leap years). ...

Second battle

Main article: Second Battle of Fort Fisher

By direct order of Grant, Butler was replaced by Major General Alfred Terry, and thus the operation was dubbed "Terry's expedition." Admiral Porter was again in charge of the naval attack. They waited until January 12, 1865, for the second attempt. Second Battle of Fort Fisher Conflict American Civil War Date January 13-15, 1865 Place New Hanover County, North Carolina Result Union victory Sometimes referred to as the Gibraltar of the South and the last major stronghold of the Confederacy, Fort Fisher had tremendous strategic value during the American Civil... Alfred Howe Terry (November 10, 1827 - December 16, 1890) was a American Civil War general and the military commander of the Dakota Territory from 1866 to 1869 and again from 1872 to 1886. ... January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ...

The first attacking phase of strong bombardment from 56 ships lasted two and a half days. It targeted both of Fort Fisher's fronts. On January 15 at 3 p.m., the disembarking took place. It comprised 9,000 Union soldiers who landed at the Land Face. While ships shot specifically over the uppermost batteries, the Union army reached the fortification and entered through Shepherd Battery. Subsequently, the Confederate soldiers found themselves battling behind walls, and they were forced to retreat. January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Altogether, the land battle lasted six hours. At nighttime, General William Whiting, who had been injured during the battle, surrendered as Commander of the District of Cape Fear. He was then captured and was imprisoned for life. The Confederates who had been captured were taken to prisons at New York. NY redirects here. ...

The battle was the largest amphibious operation until the Second World War. Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ...

Second Union Attack Image File history File links Ana-fisher-2nd-2006. ...

Capture of Fort Fisher by Kurz and Allison, 1890. Image File history File links Battle_of_Fort_Fisher. ...

The "Pulpit" after capture, Fort Fisher, North Carolina, January 1865. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1408x1089, 326 KB)The Pulpit after capture, Fort Fisher, North Carolina, January 1865. ...

Aftermath

After the fall of Fort Fisher, the trading route toward Wilmington was cut. On February 22, the Union occupied Wilmington definitively. The war officially ended three months later. February 22 is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

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. Undersea archaeology is also practiced around the site. USS Constitution. ... The Cape Fear Shoals tank at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is a science museum located in Kure Beach, North Carolina at Fort Fisher. ... The Louvre Museum in Paris, one of the largest and most famous museums in the world. ... Underwater Archaeology is that branch of the discipline and science of Archaeology that is practised under water, either by archaeologists equipped with breathing apparatus or by the remote control of machines. ...

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

First Battle of Fort Fisher Conflict American Civil War Date December 7-27, 1864 Place New Hanover County, North Carolina Result Confederate victory The First Battle of Fort Fisher was a failed attempt by Union forces to capture the fort guarding Wilmington, North Carolina, the Souths last major port... Second Battle of Fort Fisher Conflict American Civil War Date January 13-15, 1865 Place New Hanover County, North Carolina Result Union victory Sometimes referred to as the Gibraltar of the South and the last major stronghold of the Confederacy, Fort Fisher had tremendous strategic value during the American Civil... Region down Cape Fear River Wilmington, North Carolina, was a major Atlantic Ocean port city for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. ... The Lowry War is considered one of the most important and controversial events in North Carolina history. ...

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