Defense of Fayetteville Arsenal-- Part 3: Not Enough Men To Defend

On February 22, 1865, Frederick Childs wrote Bragg asking what he should do.  Childs feared a Union advance up the Cape Fear River and Sherman was getting closer.

Bragg responded:  "the enemy's superior force will, I fear, enable him to send a detachment against you, which can only be met with your resources."  In other words, you'll get no help.

On February 23, Childs sent a message to Bragg saying that  he had, at most, 250 men to stop an enemy attack, the others of his 500-man force were on duty in other parts of the state..  However, he might be able to scrounge up another 100 or 200 reinforcements at the last minute.

Childs chose to evacuate the arsenal.  Sherman captured Fayetteville on March 11, 1865.

--Old Secesh