The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

143rd Anniversary Second Battle of Fort Fisher

Today marks the 143rd anniversary of the beginning of the Second Battle of Fort Fisher.

The Union fleet, under Admiral David Dixon Porter opened up another horrendous bombardment of the fort's sand parapets and continued all day. The bombardment was kept up on the 14th and 15th, when it stopped while the naval and army attacks were made.

The heavily outnumbered and outgunned fort's garrison, under the able command of Col. William Lamb and Major General W.H.C. Whiting, put up a valiant defense before succumbing to the tremendous odds and surrendering at Battery Buchanan on the 15th.

This effectively closed the port of Wilmington, NC, the South's last link with the outside world. Lee's forces surrendered less than 3 months later.

One still has to wonder why Bragg didn't make at least some attempt to come to the fort's aid considering it's importance.

An Important Anniversary. --The Old B-R'er.

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