The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Union Assault on Half Moon Battery

From the Civil War Naval Chronology, 145 years ago today.

Saturday, February 11, 1865-- Union ships Keystone State, Aries, Montgomery, Howquah, Emma and Vicksburg engage Half Moon battery, called battery Gatlin by Confederates) about six miles north of Fort Fisher. This bombardment pinned down General Hoke's division while General Schofield's troops advanced along the beach.

The weather got worse, preventing landing of pontoons and the Union troops withdrew to the Fort Fisher lines.

Porter's gunboats also engaged banks on the west bank of the river.

Union forces were continuing their march to Wilmington.

Half Moon Battery was built in 1862 on the west side of Myrtle Grove Sound in present day Carolina Beach, NC and mounted six guns. The site today is marked and preserved at the Forest-By-the-Sea condo complex. (From East Coast Forts).

When You Drop Half Trou? --Old B-Runner

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