The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label Fort Anderson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fort Anderson. Show all posts
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Some More On the Historic Home Torn Down In Kinston-- Part 1
From the July 22, 2018, Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer "Historic Civil War home in Kinston succumbs to time" Eddie Fitzgerald.
It was old, and once stately, and the home of a lieutenant in the Confederate Army who was killed, the headquarters of a Confederate general and on a battlefield, but it is now gone.
Monday, the Robert Bond Vause House was in a pile of rubble. It sat in the middle of the Wyse Fork Battlefield off Bill Smith Road.
Before and during the early part of the Civil War, the home was owned by Lt. Robert Bond Vause before he was killed at the Battle of Fort Anderson in 1862. This Union fort guarded occupied New Bern, N.C.. It was also the headquarters of Confederate General Robert Ranson Jr. during the battles of Gum Swamp and Dover.
Ransom was dismissed from duty the year before the Battle of Wyse Fork because of illness.
It then stood in the middle of the Battle of Wyse Fork, March 7-10, 1865, also known as the Battle of Kinston or Second Battle of Kinston.
A House With A Lot of History. --Old Secesh
Saturday, February 12, 2011
USS Yantic-- Part 2
At the First Battle of Fort Fisher, the Yantic;s 100-pdr, Parrott rifle burst, mortally wounding six. The ship's commander pulled the ship out of bombardment line without authorization. It was ordered back and continued.
The next day, December 25, 1864, Christmas Day, the Yantic helped protect the landing of General Butler's troops north of the fort.
At the Second Battle of Fort Fisher, the Yantic provided a landing party for the Naval Column where two men were killed in the assault and one later died from wounds sustained in it.
The next month, the ship also participated inthe attack on Fort Anderson up the Cape Fear River from Fort Fisher.
From 1865 to 1882, the Yantic showed the US colors along the eastern US seaboard, the West Indies, South America and the Far East.
In 1898, the ship was loaned to the Michigan Naval Militia for a training ship until 1917, when it moved to Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois. From 1921 to 1926, the ship operated out of Cleveland.
The ship began showing her age and suddenly sank at dock at the foot of Townsend Avenue in Detroit on Oct. 22, 1929. The hull is buried in a filled-in boatslip in Gabriel Richard Park along the city's river walk.
That's a 65-Year-Long Career. --Old B-Runner
The next day, December 25, 1864, Christmas Day, the Yantic helped protect the landing of General Butler's troops north of the fort.
At the Second Battle of Fort Fisher, the Yantic provided a landing party for the Naval Column where two men were killed in the assault and one later died from wounds sustained in it.
The next month, the ship also participated inthe attack on Fort Anderson up the Cape Fear River from Fort Fisher.
From 1865 to 1882, the Yantic showed the US colors along the eastern US seaboard, the West Indies, South America and the Far East.
In 1898, the ship was loaned to the Michigan Naval Militia for a training ship until 1917, when it moved to Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois. From 1921 to 1926, the ship operated out of Cleveland.
The ship began showing her age and suddenly sank at dock at the foot of Townsend Avenue in Detroit on Oct. 22, 1929. The hull is buried in a filled-in boatslip in Gabriel Richard Park along the city's river walk.
That's a 65-Year-Long Career. --Old B-Runner
Friday, February 11, 2011
Abe's Yacht?-- USS Yantic
From the September 3, 2010, Abe's Blog Cabin "The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Yacht That Wasn't" by B. Nash.
Some sources have the ship as being Lincoln's yacht, but it is doubtful that the president ever knew anything about it.
It was commissioned into Naval service in August 1864 and participated in the Battle of Fort Fisher and the Battle of Fort Anderson, both in North Carolina. Several sailors were casualties.
After the war, the ship sailed all over the world and during World War I was used as a training ship. In October 1929 it sank alongside a dock in Detroit and today the hull is buried in what is now a Detroit park.
The ship's anchor is in front of the vacant Detroit Naval Armory in that city.
The Remains of a Real Civil War Fort. --B-R'er
Some sources have the ship as being Lincoln's yacht, but it is doubtful that the president ever knew anything about it.
It was commissioned into Naval service in August 1864 and participated in the Battle of Fort Fisher and the Battle of Fort Anderson, both in North Carolina. Several sailors were casualties.
After the war, the ship sailed all over the world and during World War I was used as a training ship. In October 1929 it sank alongside a dock in Detroit and today the hull is buried in what is now a Detroit park.
The ship's anchor is in front of the vacant Detroit Naval Armory in that city.
The Remains of a Real Civil War Fort. --B-R'er
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Unexploded Ordnance at Fort Anderson, North Carolina?
It's kind of hard to do posting when the weather is as nice as it has been the last two days. Who'd ever expect temperatures in the upper sixties at this last date. I have to enjoy it while I can and have certainly been enjoying the deck. Well, the breeze just picked up and it got cloudy so a bit too cool, so here I sit "jest a typin' away" with my two little fingers.
From the May 19, 2008, Wilmington Star-News.
A chunk of a 166 pound 11-inch Civil War Union shell was found by Marines from Camp Lejeune, NC, who have been doing a thorough search of the fort and surrounding area to be sure nothing explodes while digging for a new handicap-accessible trail around Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site.
Some interesting items were excavated, but nothing explosive. Some Civil War-era shells, what appears to be an old drill, a piece of a wood stove, nails and carriage bolts.
But wait a minute, I have gone across those grounds many times in my youth. You mean it wasn't really all that safe?
Can't Have Visitors Blowing Up. It's Bad for Business. --B-R'er
From the May 19, 2008, Wilmington Star-News.
A chunk of a 166 pound 11-inch Civil War Union shell was found by Marines from Camp Lejeune, NC, who have been doing a thorough search of the fort and surrounding area to be sure nothing explodes while digging for a new handicap-accessible trail around Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site.
Some interesting items were excavated, but nothing explosive. Some Civil War-era shells, what appears to be an old drill, a piece of a wood stove, nails and carriage bolts.
But wait a minute, I have gone across those grounds many times in my youth. You mean it wasn't really all that safe?
Can't Have Visitors Blowing Up. It's Bad for Business. --B-R'er
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Civil War Events Around Wilmington, NC
Editorial in the Feb. 17th Wilmington Star News.
The editorial spotlighted the 145th anniversaries of two battles fought in the Wilmington Campaign following the capture of Fort Fisher. Both will be held this weekend. One is for the Battle of Fort Anderson and the other the Battle of the Forks, near the Cameron Art Museum grounds.
"It is a chance also to promote our region as a destination for tourists interested in the Civil War." Unfortunately, Wilmington's Civil War is not as well known as the Battles of Gettysburg, Bull Run and others.
Two experts on the battles, Jim McKee and Chris Fonvielle will be leading the events at these sites.
Sure wish I could be there.
I Already Know the Importance of the Area, But Agree That Most Don't Know Much About It. --Old B-Runner
The editorial spotlighted the 145th anniversaries of two battles fought in the Wilmington Campaign following the capture of Fort Fisher. Both will be held this weekend. One is for the Battle of Fort Anderson and the other the Battle of the Forks, near the Cameron Art Museum grounds.
"It is a chance also to promote our region as a destination for tourists interested in the Civil War." Unfortunately, Wilmington's Civil War is not as well known as the Battles of Gettysburg, Bull Run and others.
Two experts on the battles, Jim McKee and Chris Fonvielle will be leading the events at these sites.
Sure wish I could be there.
I Already Know the Importance of the Area, But Agree That Most Don't Know Much About It. --Old B-Runner
Friday, July 31, 2009
Running the Blockade:
Some New News About an Old War.
1. MATTHEW FONTAINE MAURY CAMP 1722, SCV-- I was surprised to see an SCV camp named after a navy guy. However, they are out of Fredericksburg, Virginia, where Maury was born, so that explains it. They had a picture of an iron cross dedication for Private William B. Newton, 30th Virginia at the Newton family cemetery in the May-June issue of the Confederate Veteran.
2. GEORGE DAVIS CAMP 5-- The same issue had a picture of members of this old camp presenting a $150 check to Jim McKee for the purchase of a Pattern 1840 32-pound gun to mounted at Gun Emplacement No. 3, Battery B. at Fort Anderson, near Wilmington, NC. Excavations recently went on at the fort, the first since the 1960s, and an original gun platform was found. In honor of the Civil War's 150th anniversary approaching, this gun will be placed in the fort.
3. DETROIT'S SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MONUMENT-- While looking at Shorpy.com, I saw a picture of an old hotel in downtown Detroit, Michigan. By it was the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, honoring Union veterans of the Civil War. It was constructed in 1871, in Cadillac Square and moved 100 yards away in 2004 for street widening.
A person made a comment that a copper box was found when they moved it. Inside was a bronze medallion and lots of papers listing names of Union veterans, which unfortunately had been destroyed due to water seepage. Probably a time capsule.
Now, You Know. --Old B-Runner
1. MATTHEW FONTAINE MAURY CAMP 1722, SCV-- I was surprised to see an SCV camp named after a navy guy. However, they are out of Fredericksburg, Virginia, where Maury was born, so that explains it. They had a picture of an iron cross dedication for Private William B. Newton, 30th Virginia at the Newton family cemetery in the May-June issue of the Confederate Veteran.
2. GEORGE DAVIS CAMP 5-- The same issue had a picture of members of this old camp presenting a $150 check to Jim McKee for the purchase of a Pattern 1840 32-pound gun to mounted at Gun Emplacement No. 3, Battery B. at Fort Anderson, near Wilmington, NC. Excavations recently went on at the fort, the first since the 1960s, and an original gun platform was found. In honor of the Civil War's 150th anniversary approaching, this gun will be placed in the fort.
3. DETROIT'S SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MONUMENT-- While looking at Shorpy.com, I saw a picture of an old hotel in downtown Detroit, Michigan. By it was the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, honoring Union veterans of the Civil War. It was constructed in 1871, in Cadillac Square and moved 100 yards away in 2004 for street widening.
A person made a comment that a copper box was found when they moved it. Inside was a bronze medallion and lots of papers listing names of Union veterans, which unfortunately had been destroyed due to water seepage. Probably a time capsule.
Now, You Know. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Fort Anderson, NC
Last year, the good folks at HMdb (Historical Marker Database, a great place to check out if you are of the historical bent. They focus on those "History on a Sticks", that most of us don't slow down to read). checked out a marker at Fort Anderson, North Carolina, on the banks of the Cape Fear River.
It was constructed between 1861 and 1863 under the direction of Col. William Lamb and Maj. John Hedrick, who also were involved with Fort Fisher. It was one of several Confederate strongholds built to protect Wilmington, a major blockade-running port (hey, my kind of place).
They enlarged the existing Fort St. Phillip (named for the ruins of the St. Phillip Anglican Church 9the site was also where the colonial town of Brunswick was located until it was abandoned in favor of Wilmington further up the river.
They modeled it after Crimean War fortifications. In July, Lamb assumed command of Fort Fisher. After the fall of Fisher, the Union Navy and Army moved up the Cape Fear River and attacked Fort Anderson, which also fell.
Submitted March 23, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Springfield, Va..
www.hmdb.org.
Archaeological work done a few months ago revealed the existence of a lost gun platform at Fort Anderson.
Like a Mini-Fort Fisher. --Old B-R
It was constructed between 1861 and 1863 under the direction of Col. William Lamb and Maj. John Hedrick, who also were involved with Fort Fisher. It was one of several Confederate strongholds built to protect Wilmington, a major blockade-running port (hey, my kind of place).
They enlarged the existing Fort St. Phillip (named for the ruins of the St. Phillip Anglican Church 9the site was also where the colonial town of Brunswick was located until it was abandoned in favor of Wilmington further up the river.
They modeled it after Crimean War fortifications. In July, Lamb assumed command of Fort Fisher. After the fall of Fisher, the Union Navy and Army moved up the Cape Fear River and attacked Fort Anderson, which also fell.
Submitted March 23, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Springfield, Va..
www.hmdb.org.
Archaeological work done a few months ago revealed the existence of a lost gun platform at Fort Anderson.
Like a Mini-Fort Fisher. --Old B-R
Monday, April 20, 2009
Fort Anderson Gun Platform-- Part 2
Back on April 13th, I reported that an archaeological dig at Fort Anderson along the Cape Fear River south of Wilmington, NC, had revealed the remains of a long-lost gun platform. The April 9th Wilmington Star News had a follow-up article by Veronica Gonzalez.
It was found as part of a four-day dig at battery B of the fort and was conducted by students from UNC Wilmington and members of the Friends of Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson.
They discovered a section of blackened wood likely the result of a fire used in the late 1950s burn to clear the area of brush. The platform is a latticed structure with deep ruts, likely caused by the weight of the gun and carriage that was once on it.
The area was allowed to be overgrown after the war and until the Sprunt family gave the land to the state.
Always Great When Old History is Rediscovered. --Old B-R
It was found as part of a four-day dig at battery B of the fort and was conducted by students from UNC Wilmington and members of the Friends of Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson.
They discovered a section of blackened wood likely the result of a fire used in the late 1950s burn to clear the area of brush. The platform is a latticed structure with deep ruts, likely caused by the weight of the gun and carriage that was once on it.
The area was allowed to be overgrown after the war and until the Sprunt family gave the land to the state.
Always Great When Old History is Rediscovered. --Old B-R
Monday, April 13, 2009
Gun Platform Found
Back on April 8th, I reported about the excavation at Fort Anderson, NC. I'm happy to tell you that archaeologists have discovered a 147 year old gun platform at Battery B, the excavation site. It was intended to support a 11, 350 pound Sea Coast 32 Pounder cannon.
This is the first major excavation to take place at the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson site on the Cape Fear River south of Wilmington, NC, in 40 years. It was conducted under the direction of John J. Mintz of the NC Office of Archaeology. Many volunteers helped as well.
This is all part of an effort to recreate a gun emplacement at the fort for the upcoming 2001 sesquicentennial of the Civil War.
I read several accounts and have not been able to determine if the whole gun platform was found or just parts of it.
Good News from North Carolina. --B-R'er
This is the first major excavation to take place at the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson site on the Cape Fear River south of Wilmington, NC, in 40 years. It was conducted under the direction of John J. Mintz of the NC Office of Archaeology. Many volunteers helped as well.
This is all part of an effort to recreate a gun emplacement at the fort for the upcoming 2001 sesquicentennial of the Civil War.
I read several accounts and have not been able to determine if the whole gun platform was found or just parts of it.
Good News from North Carolina. --B-R'er
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Fort Anderson, NC, Excavation
Amy Hotz in the March 29th Wilmington Star News reports that the first major excavations will be done at the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson site on the west bank of the Cape Fear River from April 7th to 9th.
The public has been invited to watch and ask questions. In 1952, the Sprunt family (very famous in Cape Fear history) donated 114.5 acres of the site to the state and the Episcopal Church added another 4.5. State historian and archaeologist Stanley South did a lot of work at the site in the 50s and 60s. Foundations of colonial buildings and the earthworks remain.
The major emphasis will be on a gun emplacement in the Confederate fort where a 40 by 25 foot grid has been laid out. The Marine Corps has already done a sweep of the area and found no explosives or metal, always a good idea when digging around a battle site.
Three test holes dug back in September found brick and ballast stone probably from the colonial village that had been used by Confederates constructing the earthen fort. It is hoped that the system used for building Fort Anderson and the gun platform will be ascertained from the dig. There are big hopes that some remnants of the original gun platform will also be found.
This is also being done in preparation for the Civil War sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) which starts in 2011.
Hopin' They Find Something. --Blockade-R
The public has been invited to watch and ask questions. In 1952, the Sprunt family (very famous in Cape Fear history) donated 114.5 acres of the site to the state and the Episcopal Church added another 4.5. State historian and archaeologist Stanley South did a lot of work at the site in the 50s and 60s. Foundations of colonial buildings and the earthworks remain.
The major emphasis will be on a gun emplacement in the Confederate fort where a 40 by 25 foot grid has been laid out. The Marine Corps has already done a sweep of the area and found no explosives or metal, always a good idea when digging around a battle site.
Three test holes dug back in September found brick and ballast stone probably from the colonial village that had been used by Confederates constructing the earthen fort. It is hoped that the system used for building Fort Anderson and the gun platform will be ascertained from the dig. There are big hopes that some remnants of the original gun platform will also be found.
This is also being done in preparation for the Civil War sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) which starts in 2011.
Hopin' They Find Something. --Blockade-R
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Civil War 2008 Calendar
My sister-in-law bought me a Civil War 2008 Calendar, but I just got it a few days ago. Excellent source of history, both with pictures, letters, little known facts, and diaries. I'll definitely get one myself next year.
Since I'm very interested in Fort Fisher and the Wilmington campaign, I was especially enjoyed the two entries from a letter by Private John Miller, 123rd Regt. Indiana Infantry. He wrote to his father from Fort Anderson, NC, Feb. 27.
1865.
"It is curious how careless of life war will render any man. Before I came into the army, it would have shocked me to see a man cut with a knife, or knocked down with a club. Now I can see any number of men killed and never give them a thought, or glance. Ah well, such is war and it can't be helped."
Later, in the same letter, he wrote, "I have had many fair shots at rebels but never hit one that I know of. The first time I ever shot at a man I was so excited at the thought that I trembled like a leaf, but I got used to that kind of business, and I can draw a "bead" on a rebel now as cooly as would on a squirrel and be glad to see him fall."
Interesting thoughts on how war changes a man.
Blockade-Runner
Since I'm very interested in Fort Fisher and the Wilmington campaign, I was especially enjoyed the two entries from a letter by Private John Miller, 123rd Regt. Indiana Infantry. He wrote to his father from Fort Anderson, NC, Feb. 27.
1865.
"It is curious how careless of life war will render any man. Before I came into the army, it would have shocked me to see a man cut with a knife, or knocked down with a club. Now I can see any number of men killed and never give them a thought, or glance. Ah well, such is war and it can't be helped."
Later, in the same letter, he wrote, "I have had many fair shots at rebels but never hit one that I know of. The first time I ever shot at a man I was so excited at the thought that I trembled like a leaf, but I got used to that kind of business, and I can draw a "bead" on a rebel now as cooly as would on a squirrel and be glad to see him fall."
Interesting thoughts on how war changes a man.
Blockade-Runner
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Living History Event at Fort Anderson this Weekend
It seems that a lot of Civil War activity has been going on around Wilmington, NC, of late.
This weekend, a part of the Battle of Fort Anderson is being re-enacted. This was a battle that occurred as the Union Army continued its drive against Wilmington after the fall of Fort Fisher January 15, 1865.
Visitors can learn a lot about Fort Anderson at the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson Museum, but this weekend, they can also relive those events 143 years ago with musket fire, cannons, and campgrounds.
Leland Smith and Chris Fonvielle, authir of Fort Anderson: The Battle of Wilmington have compiled a list of three things you don't know about Fort Anderson.
1. Fort Anderson's main weapons-- were not its cannons, which were fairly antiquated. The main river thing the fort protected were the underwater torpedoes which were more like today's mines.
2. If you truly want to understand Fort Fisher-- go to Fort Anderson. The site is almost fully intact whereas Fort Fisher is almost 80% gone thanks to the ocean. Fort Fisher's Col. Lamb had much to do with the design of both forts.
3. The First Battle of the Bands-- Chris Fonvielle, while researching his book found a report in a New York paper that the band of the 104th Ohio began playing patriotic songs during the night before the assault. The band of the 25th SC regiment replied in kind.
I Live Just Too Far Away. --B-R'er
This weekend, a part of the Battle of Fort Anderson is being re-enacted. This was a battle that occurred as the Union Army continued its drive against Wilmington after the fall of Fort Fisher January 15, 1865.
Visitors can learn a lot about Fort Anderson at the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson Museum, but this weekend, they can also relive those events 143 years ago with musket fire, cannons, and campgrounds.
Leland Smith and Chris Fonvielle, authir of Fort Anderson: The Battle of Wilmington have compiled a list of three things you don't know about Fort Anderson.
1. Fort Anderson's main weapons-- were not its cannons, which were fairly antiquated. The main river thing the fort protected were the underwater torpedoes which were more like today's mines.
2. If you truly want to understand Fort Fisher-- go to Fort Anderson. The site is almost fully intact whereas Fort Fisher is almost 80% gone thanks to the ocean. Fort Fisher's Col. Lamb had much to do with the design of both forts.
3. The First Battle of the Bands-- Chris Fonvielle, while researching his book found a report in a New York paper that the band of the 104th Ohio began playing patriotic songs during the night before the assault. The band of the 25th SC regiment replied in kind.
I Live Just Too Far Away. --B-R'er
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