Col. Lamb, commandant of Fort Fisher, decided the remaining thirty feet was too much of a target for Union ships and ordered it torn down in 1863. There is a record of a 21-year-old private being killed by the falling lighthouse.
The wood frame lighthouse keeper's home served as Fisher's headquarters until it was destroyed during the first battle in December 1864. In 1962, state archaeologist Stanley South excavated the site of the house, but not the lighthouse.
A painting by Captain George Tait of the 40th North Carolina showed the lighthouse as standing close to the house, but since he was an amateur artist, no one was sure how close it really was.
In July and August, the Fort Fisher site received permission from North Carolina Office of State Archaeology to build a walkway and interpretive signage around the monument. This requires "compliant archaeology" to make sure nothing historically damaged by digging pits.
FOUND
Tuesday, November 17th, they struck something about 20 feet away from South's previous dig. The remains of a three foot thick circular wall was found. It had brick outer and inner walls with coquina between them. The outer wall also was covered with white stucco.
Quite a few artifacts were found. Remnants of the battles, mostly shell fragments, grape shot and cannister were also found.
These were found two feet down. After recording everything, the earth was pushed back in.
Always Great to Find Something Lost for All That Time. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
