The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Major Reilly's Sword

The sword of Major James Reilly is on display at the Fort Fisher Museum. It was made in 1860 in Massachusetts and was used to surrender fort Fisher after both General Whiting and Colonel Lamb were wounded.

Reilly turned it over to Union Captain E. Lewis Moore who returned it in 1893. It has been in the possession of Reilly's descendants since then who have now loaned it to the state park.

The official surrender of the fort occurred on the night of Jan. 15, 1865 and was by General Whiting to Union General Alfred Terry.

Major Reilly was an enlisted man in the US Army before the Civil War and participated in the Seminole, Indian and Mexican wars.

Let's Hear it for the Major. --Old B-Runner

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