In my history blog, I came across a picture of the Great White Fleet in Venezuela. It was either that fleet that made its first stop in that country, or a naval squadron sent to show the flag.
Found out it was commanded by Rear Admiral Robley "Fighting Bob" Evans commanded it.
As a lieutenant, Evans had participated in the Naval Column attack on Fort Fisher and had been wounded four times on Jan. 15, 1865. Back on board ship, it was determined by the surgeon that his foot would have to come off, at which point he threatened to shoot anyone he caught trying to amputate his foot.
Outcome: the foot stayed on and no one got shot.
The Doctor is Not Always Right. --B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Charles Pattison Bolles, CSA
The first artillery batteries at Fort Fisher were supervised by Charles Pattison Bolles. These batteries retained his name. Gen. W.H.C. Whiting was Bolles' brother-in-law. Both of these men were involved with engineering and based out of Wilmington before the war.
Before the war, Bolles was involved with the US Coast Survey for Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia. He resigned immediately after Fort Sumter and brought all his maps to the Confederacy, greatly enraging his former bosses.
He used them and his knowledge to begin the defenses of Wilmington.
He is buried in Wilmington's Oakdale Cemetery. Born May 13, 1823 and died December 19. 1909. According to Find-a-Grave, he also constructed a large battery on Oak Island, south of Fort Caswell.
He was transferred to the Fayetteville Arsenal and while there produced bolts for the English Whitworth guns which had arrived without ammunition or projectiles.
One of the Little-Knowns of the War. --B-R'er
Not having to do with Bolles, but I wanted to enter this before I forget. There was a Camp Wyatt training facility north of Fort Fisher.
Before the war, Bolles was involved with the US Coast Survey for Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia. He resigned immediately after Fort Sumter and brought all his maps to the Confederacy, greatly enraging his former bosses.
He used them and his knowledge to begin the defenses of Wilmington.
He is buried in Wilmington's Oakdale Cemetery. Born May 13, 1823 and died December 19. 1909. According to Find-a-Grave, he also constructed a large battery on Oak Island, south of Fort Caswell.
He was transferred to the Fayetteville Arsenal and while there produced bolts for the English Whitworth guns which had arrived without ammunition or projectiles.
One of the Little-Knowns of the War. --B-R'er
Not having to do with Bolles, but I wanted to enter this before I forget. There was a Camp Wyatt training facility north of Fort Fisher.
Bald Head Island's Fort Holmes-- Part 2
The fifth battery was the largest and called Battery Holmes which also had a bombproof magazine and was at the southernmost point of the island.
Construction began in September 1863 and continued into 1864. It guarded the east side of Old Inlet (Fort Caswell was on the west). The flagstaff was located on the Bald Head Promontory.
It was mostly destroyed when the Confederates evacuated after the fall of Fort Fisher.
GENERAL THEOPHILUS H. HOLMES
It was named for Confederate General T. H. Holmes who graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1829 and was a career soldier. Before the war, he commanded Fort Columbus on Governor's Island in New York Harbor.
He resigned his commission after secession and became a colonel in the Confederate Army and commanded coastal defenses in the Department of North Carolina, later becoming a brigadier and major general.
I was unable to find any mention as to how much of Fort Holmes is still standing.
The Fort on the Island. --Old B-Runner
Construction began in September 1863 and continued into 1864. It guarded the east side of Old Inlet (Fort Caswell was on the west). The flagstaff was located on the Bald Head Promontory.
It was mostly destroyed when the Confederates evacuated after the fall of Fort Fisher.
GENERAL THEOPHILUS H. HOLMES
It was named for Confederate General T. H. Holmes who graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1829 and was a career soldier. Before the war, he commanded Fort Columbus on Governor's Island in New York Harbor.
He resigned his commission after secession and became a colonel in the Confederate Army and commanded coastal defenses in the Department of North Carolina, later becoming a brigadier and major general.
I was unable to find any mention as to how much of Fort Holmes is still standing.
The Fort on the Island. --Old B-Runner
Bald Head Island's Fort Holmes-- Part 1
The remains of Fort Holmes are located on a very exclusive island called Bald Head at the mouth of the Cape Fear River near Wilmington, NC. I doubt that poor folk like us would even be allowed to visit.
The September 22nd Wilmington Star-News reports that beach nourishment is needed on the island to rebuild the beaches. Over 150 feet of beach has been lost. It is expected to cost $17 million and will involve 2 million cubic ponds of material and take four months.
Cars are not allowed and folks get around on modified golf carts.
The lighthouse is called "Old Baldy and is the oldest standing lighthouse in the country, built in 1817. During the American Revolution a British Fort Gregg was on the island. During the Civil War, the Confederates built Fort Holmes to protect the mouth of the river.
At one time, Bald Head Island was really an island, but since Hurricane Floyd in 1999, shoals have connected it.
Confederate Fort Holmes stretches from the lighthouse to the southwest tip of the island. It was made of earth reinforced with palmetto and oak logs. Guns were mounted in four batteries on the east side.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
The September 22nd Wilmington Star-News reports that beach nourishment is needed on the island to rebuild the beaches. Over 150 feet of beach has been lost. It is expected to cost $17 million and will involve 2 million cubic ponds of material and take four months.
Cars are not allowed and folks get around on modified golf carts.
The lighthouse is called "Old Baldy and is the oldest standing lighthouse in the country, built in 1817. During the American Revolution a British Fort Gregg was on the island. During the Civil War, the Confederates built Fort Holmes to protect the mouth of the river.
At one time, Bald Head Island was really an island, but since Hurricane Floyd in 1999, shoals have connected it.
Confederate Fort Holmes stretches from the lighthouse to the southwest tip of the island. It was made of earth reinforced with palmetto and oak logs. Guns were mounted in four batteries on the east side.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Site of Civil War Fight Near Joplin Dedicated-- Part 1
The Nov. 12th Joplin (Mo) Globe reports that a little-known Civil War site near that city has been dedicated at the intersection of Peace and Fountain roads north of town. (I might have driven by it when I got lost following Route 66 from Carthage to Joplin and got hopelessly lost because of poor signage.)
I didn't know about it, but, according to the article, neither do many in Joplin. The five acre county park is the first of a series of steps being taken to bring back the knowledge of this little-known engagement.
Five acres have been purchased at what used to be the Rader farm near a town that used to be called Sherwood, but is no longer in existence because of this battle.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
I didn't know about it, but, according to the article, neither do many in Joplin. The five acre county park is the first of a series of steps being taken to bring back the knowledge of this little-known engagement.
Five acres have been purchased at what used to be the Rader farm near a town that used to be called Sherwood, but is no longer in existence because of this battle.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
Friday, November 13, 2009
Oregon's Civil War Graves Project
From the Lebanon (Or) Express
Hundreds of Union veterans are buried in Oregon's cemeteries, many unfortunately in unmarked graves. This hopefully will change soon because the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, receiving help from the Lebanon Genealogists, have intentions to identify and mark every grave.
Thousands of Union veterans came to Oregon after the war as well as many ex-Confederates.
Union General Thomas Thorpe is buried at Crystal Lake Cemetery in Corvallis. His marker just read "Old Soldier." There is also the grave of a Confederate soldier Jeremy Bell who became Thorpe's prisoner at the Battle of Cedar Creek in 1864. They became good friends and both ended up moving to Oregon.
The Oregon Chapter of the SUVCW is completing a complete registry of graves, which will include the state's last living veteran of the war, James W. Smith who is buried in Lebanon FOOF cemetery. He was in the 1st Oregon Cavalry and died in 1951. He presently also is in an unmarked grave.
Important Work for the Sons on Both Sides. --B-R
Hundreds of Union veterans are buried in Oregon's cemeteries, many unfortunately in unmarked graves. This hopefully will change soon because the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, receiving help from the Lebanon Genealogists, have intentions to identify and mark every grave.
Thousands of Union veterans came to Oregon after the war as well as many ex-Confederates.
Union General Thomas Thorpe is buried at Crystal Lake Cemetery in Corvallis. His marker just read "Old Soldier." There is also the grave of a Confederate soldier Jeremy Bell who became Thorpe's prisoner at the Battle of Cedar Creek in 1864. They became good friends and both ended up moving to Oregon.
The Oregon Chapter of the SUVCW is completing a complete registry of graves, which will include the state's last living veteran of the war, James W. Smith who is buried in Lebanon FOOF cemetery. He was in the 1st Oregon Cavalry and died in 1951. He presently also is in an unmarked grave.
Important Work for the Sons on Both Sides. --B-R
Camp Parapet, New Orleans
I'll have to put this one in the list of Confederate forts I didn't know about.
The Nov. 12th New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that the Third Annual Camp Parapet Day will be tomorrow and visitors will be allowed a rare visit into the Civil War magazine.
It was part of the Confederate fortifications built in 1861 to protect the city, and these specifically to guard the northern approach along the Mississippi River. The zig-zag earthen embankments run from the river to Lake Pontchartrain, roughly parallel to the current Causeway Boulevard about a mile upriver from the city's present day boundary.
It didn't helped the Confederacy at all as the city was taken from the south, but after occupation, Union troops manned and expanded the works.
One I Didn't Know About. --B-R'er
The Nov. 12th New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that the Third Annual Camp Parapet Day will be tomorrow and visitors will be allowed a rare visit into the Civil War magazine.
It was part of the Confederate fortifications built in 1861 to protect the city, and these specifically to guard the northern approach along the Mississippi River. The zig-zag earthen embankments run from the river to Lake Pontchartrain, roughly parallel to the current Causeway Boulevard about a mile upriver from the city's present day boundary.
It didn't helped the Confederacy at all as the city was taken from the south, but after occupation, Union troops manned and expanded the works.
One I Didn't Know About. --B-R'er
New York's Civil War Defenses
The Castle Williams I mentioned yesterday as a US fort design that looked liked a castle, hence the name, was one of several fortifications making up New York City's Inner Harbor Defenses.
On the same island as Castle Williams, Governor's Island, there was also Fort Columbus which was renamed Fort Jay and South Battery.
Castle Clinton was on the south end of Manhattan Island in what is known as Battery Park.
Fort Wood was on Liberty Island and today forms the base of the Statue of Liberty.
Fort Gibson was on Ellis Island.
Don't Go There If You're a Confederate Ship. --Old B-Runner
On the same island as Castle Williams, Governor's Island, there was also Fort Columbus which was renamed Fort Jay and South Battery.
Castle Clinton was on the south end of Manhattan Island in what is known as Battery Park.
Fort Wood was on Liberty Island and today forms the base of the Statue of Liberty.
Fort Gibson was on Ellis Island.
Don't Go There If You're a Confederate Ship. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, November 12, 2009
40th Regiment North Carolina State Troops
Also known as the 3rd Artillery, was organized Nov. 1863, at Bald Head on Smith's Island, NC from heavy artillery companies organized in the two previous years.
It consisted of 1,152 men from Lenoir, Beaufort, Pamlico, Richmond, Robeson,Wayne, Wilson, Edgecombe, Greene, New Hanover, Bladen, Anson, and Chatham counties. It was staffed by Colonel John J. Hedrick, Lt.Col George Tait and Major William A. Holland.
They were attached to the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia and detachments served at forts Holmes, Caswell, Anderson, and Fisher.
After the fall of Wilmington in 1865, they were converted to infantry and assigned to Hagood's Brigade, fought at Bentonville and surrendered with the Army of Tennessee at Bennett Place April 26th.
It consisted of 1,152 men from Lenoir, Beaufort, Pamlico, Richmond, Robeson,Wayne, Wilson, Edgecombe, Greene, New Hanover, Bladen, Anson, and Chatham counties. It was staffed by Colonel John J. Hedrick, Lt.Col George Tait and Major William A. Holland.
They were attached to the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia and detachments served at forts Holmes, Caswell, Anderson, and Fisher.
After the fall of Wilmington in 1865, they were converted to infantry and assigned to Hagood's Brigade, fought at Bentonville and surrendered with the Army of Tennessee at Bennett Place April 26th.
USMC in the Civil War
Some more from the birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
On November 10, 1775, Captain Samuel Nichols was authorized by Congress to form two battalions of Continental Marines.
During the Civil War, the Marines played a moderate role, mostly blockade duty. About half of the officer corps resigned and started the Confederate States Marine Corps.
A Battalion of Marines was hastily formed and took part at the First Battle of Bull Run, but performed poorly, taking part in the panic run back to Washington DC with the rest of the Army.
Marines also participated in the Naval Column attack on Fort Fisher, NC.
It's a Marine Thing. --Blockade-R
On November 10, 1775, Captain Samuel Nichols was authorized by Congress to form two battalions of Continental Marines.
During the Civil War, the Marines played a moderate role, mostly blockade duty. About half of the officer corps resigned and started the Confederate States Marine Corps.
A Battalion of Marines was hastily formed and took part at the First Battle of Bull Run, but performed poorly, taking part in the panic run back to Washington DC with the rest of the Army.
Marines also participated in the Naval Column attack on Fort Fisher, NC.
It's a Marine Thing. --Blockade-R
Running the Blockade: Woodstock Civil War Monument-- Racial Slurs on Confederate Monument-- No More "From Dixie with Love"
Running the Blockade-- Some New News About an Old War.
1. WOODSTOCK CIVIL WAR MONUMENT-- The Nov. 11th Woodstock (Il) Independent had an article about the rededication of the monument in the town square on the 3rd. I was able to attend it.
2. RACIAL SLURS ON CONFEDERATE MONUMENT-- The Nov. 9th WJBF News out of Augusta, Georgia, reports that someone painted racial slurs at the base of the Confederate Monument downtown. "Black Power," "Cracker Killer" and "I Hate Whites" were taken off before daylight however. I guess with some, the war is not over.
3. NO MORE "FROM DIXIE WITH LOVE"-- ABC 24 reported that University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones has asked the school band not to play "From Dixie With Love" at football games anymore because some people had started a "The South Will Rise Again" chant after its conclusion.
It had happened before and Jones warned the people not to do it or else,
This song takes part of the songs "Dixie" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Too Bad This Has to Happen. --B-Runner
1. WOODSTOCK CIVIL WAR MONUMENT-- The Nov. 11th Woodstock (Il) Independent had an article about the rededication of the monument in the town square on the 3rd. I was able to attend it.
2. RACIAL SLURS ON CONFEDERATE MONUMENT-- The Nov. 9th WJBF News out of Augusta, Georgia, reports that someone painted racial slurs at the base of the Confederate Monument downtown. "Black Power," "Cracker Killer" and "I Hate Whites" were taken off before daylight however. I guess with some, the war is not over.
3. NO MORE "FROM DIXIE WITH LOVE"-- ABC 24 reported that University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones has asked the school band not to play "From Dixie With Love" at football games anymore because some people had started a "The South Will Rise Again" chant after its conclusion.
It had happened before and Jones warned the people not to do it or else,
This song takes part of the songs "Dixie" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Too Bad This Has to Happen. --B-Runner
Two Other Castle Forts
A postscript to the Castle Pinckney article in the National Parks Traveler noted that two other US castle forts were built and still remain in New York Harbor. They were part of the New York harbor Defense system and completed about the same time.
Castle Williams was completed in 1811 on Governor's Island, a strategic location between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. It can be visited at Governor's island National Monument.
The other castle fort was also completed in 1811 and is at nearby Castle Clinton National Monument in lower Manhattan's Battery Park.
My Kingdom for a Castle. --Old B-R
Castle Williams was completed in 1811 on Governor's Island, a strategic location between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. It can be visited at Governor's island National Monument.
The other castle fort was also completed in 1811 and is at nearby Castle Clinton National Monument in lower Manhattan's Battery Park.
My Kingdom for a Castle. --Old B-R
Charleston's Castle Pinckney-- Part 3-- Forgotten and Unwanted
After the Civil War, the Federal government had little use for the old fort other than as a lighthouse and depot. The guns were left in place (some are still there) and, in general, it was left to decay. By 1890, it was so bad, the fort was sealed, filled with sand and prepared for use as a lighthouse foundation.
In 1897, there was a proposal to use it as a nursing home for Union veterans, but that never came to be. No weapons were added during the Spanish-American War or World War I as happened at so many old coastal fortifications. (In Charleston Harbor, guns were added at Fort Sumter.)
The US Army Corps of Engineers did use it as a base for harbor improvement projects.
On October 15, 1924, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the Castle Pinckney National Monument and placed it under War Department administration and in 1933 it was transferred to the National Park Service.
HOT POTATO
The NPS didn't have any plans for it and in 1951, Congress abolished the status and it was transferred to the US Army Corps of Engineers, but they didn't want it and declared it surplus property. A Congressional mandate turned it over to dispose of it.
Today, it is owned by the South Carolina State Ports Authority. In 1969, they had sold it to the Sons of Confederate Veterans who intended to restore the fort, erect a museum and build an up-scale restaurant, but that fell through.
In 1970, it was listed on the National register of Historic Places, but not much has been done since then.
Today, it's still there, and boat guides talk about it. You can't land on the island without permission and very few have been on it.
Sad to See a Historical Structure Go By the Way Like This. --Old B-Runner
In 1897, there was a proposal to use it as a nursing home for Union veterans, but that never came to be. No weapons were added during the Spanish-American War or World War I as happened at so many old coastal fortifications. (In Charleston Harbor, guns were added at Fort Sumter.)
The US Army Corps of Engineers did use it as a base for harbor improvement projects.
On October 15, 1924, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the Castle Pinckney National Monument and placed it under War Department administration and in 1933 it was transferred to the National Park Service.
HOT POTATO
The NPS didn't have any plans for it and in 1951, Congress abolished the status and it was transferred to the US Army Corps of Engineers, but they didn't want it and declared it surplus property. A Congressional mandate turned it over to dispose of it.
Today, it is owned by the South Carolina State Ports Authority. In 1969, they had sold it to the Sons of Confederate Veterans who intended to restore the fort, erect a museum and build an up-scale restaurant, but that fell through.
In 1970, it was listed on the National register of Historic Places, but not much has been done since then.
Today, it's still there, and boat guides talk about it. You can't land on the island without permission and very few have been on it.
Sad to See a Historical Structure Go By the Way Like This. --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Great Naval Site
While looking up the USS Fort Fisher, I came across a site which had pictures and thumbnail sketches on 25 Union ships that participated in the attacks on Fort Fisher. Even more interesting to me was the part about what eventually happened to the ships.
Of the five ironclads at Fort Fisher, these are the the postwar dispositions:
USS New Ironsides-- destroyed by fire in 1866.
USS Monadnock-- completely rebuilt into a new warship in 1874.
USS Canonicus-- last monitor, scrapped in 1908.
USS Saugus-- sold 1891.
USS Mahopac-- sold 1902.
www.civilwaralbum.com/miscq/fort_fisher_ships.htm.
Well Worth a Look. --RoadDog
Of the five ironclads at Fort Fisher, these are the the postwar dispositions:
USS New Ironsides-- destroyed by fire in 1866.
USS Monadnock-- completely rebuilt into a new warship in 1874.
USS Canonicus-- last monitor, scrapped in 1908.
USS Saugus-- sold 1891.
USS Mahopac-- sold 1902.
www.civilwaralbum.com/miscq/fort_fisher_ships.htm.
Well Worth a Look. --RoadDog
Wreck of the CSS Appomattox Found-- Part 2
According to Wikipedia, the Appomattox was a small propeller-driven steamer which fought at the Battle of Roanoke Island and was burned on February 10, 1862, near Elizabeth City, NC.
It mounted two guns: a bow 32-pdr and a stern howitzer. It was 120 tons, 86 feet long and had a 20.5 foot beam and was part of the Confederate "Mosquito Fleet" tasked with defending the coast and sounds of North Carolina.
According to the November 10th Virginia-Pilot, on February10, 1862, Union ships commanded by Captain Stephen Rowan sailed to the mouth of the Pasquotank River with plans to attack Elizabeth City. This caused the Confederates to sink the Appomattox.
To date, the propeller and shaft have been found and not many artifacts in the charred wood.
The Army Corps of Engineers might have removed the vessel's bow section while clearing the river in the 1890s.
Great News. --Old B-Runner
It mounted two guns: a bow 32-pdr and a stern howitzer. It was 120 tons, 86 feet long and had a 20.5 foot beam and was part of the Confederate "Mosquito Fleet" tasked with defending the coast and sounds of North Carolina.
According to the November 10th Virginia-Pilot, on February10, 1862, Union ships commanded by Captain Stephen Rowan sailed to the mouth of the Pasquotank River with plans to attack Elizabeth City. This caused the Confederates to sink the Appomattox.
To date, the propeller and shaft have been found and not many artifacts in the charred wood.
The Army Corps of Engineers might have removed the vessel's bow section while clearing the river in the 1890s.
Great News. --Old B-Runner
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