Coquina stone exists along the east coast of Florida and all the way as far north as Fort Fisher, North Carolina. Coquina is incompletely consolidated sedimentary rock. It kind of looks like a Rice Krispy's bar.
The walls of the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Fl., are built of this substance.
Where available, coquina is sometimes used as a paving material since it is usually not very well cemented and easily breaks down into components like shell or coral fragments and can be used for gravel and crushed harder rocks.
There is a FlickR photo of coquina rocks at Fort Fisher and the recently discovered Fort Fisher lighthouse had a ring of coquina between an outer and inner brick walls.
I'm not sure, but I believe coquina rock was removed from an offshore reef to build a foundation for US-421 and that caused the ocean to come in and cover so much of the fort.
Mother Nature at the Fort. --B-R'er
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Hawaii's Civil War Veterans Honored
When you think of the Civil War, Hawaii is not a name that naturally comes to mind, but there were some Hawaiian-born veterans who fought for both the Confederacy and Union.
A big thanks to the Civil War Interactive Newswire for alerting me to this. From August 26th KGNB (Hawaii) news "Hawaii's Civil War Veterans honored at Punchbowl" by Lisa Kubok.
At a service August 26th a bronze plaque honoring Civil War veterans was dedicated at the overlook of the Punchbowl National Cemetery. Two descendants of the veterans attended the ceremony.
One hundred and ten Hawaiian-born veterans have been documented, including some Native Hawaiians. This has been a difficult project undertaken by the Hawaii Civil War Round Table, especially with native Hawaiians whose last names were often entered on the rolls incorrectly and in some cases even made up..
A 21 gun salute was fired by Civil War re-enactors.
Hawaii, Civil War Destination. --Old B-Runner
A big thanks to the Civil War Interactive Newswire for alerting me to this. From August 26th KGNB (Hawaii) news "Hawaii's Civil War Veterans honored at Punchbowl" by Lisa Kubok.
At a service August 26th a bronze plaque honoring Civil War veterans was dedicated at the overlook of the Punchbowl National Cemetery. Two descendants of the veterans attended the ceremony.
One hundred and ten Hawaiian-born veterans have been documented, including some Native Hawaiians. This has been a difficult project undertaken by the Hawaii Civil War Round Table, especially with native Hawaiians whose last names were often entered on the rolls incorrectly and in some cases even made up..
A 21 gun salute was fired by Civil War re-enactors.
Hawaii, Civil War Destination. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Blockade-Runner Advance
From the Confederate Soldiers, Sailors, Rosters and Unit Histories 1861-1865 blog.
On February 1st, the blockade-runner Advance ran the blockade from Wilmington to Nassau. From July 1863 to September 1864, it ran the blockade 18 times before being captured.
Its commander was Lt. Thomas M. Crossan and Chief Engineer James MaGleen.
Crossan is buried at the Somerville Family Cemetery in Warrenton in Warren County, North Carolina. He also commanded the North Carolina ship Winslow.
The Advance, Now THERE Was a Blockade-Runner. --B-R'er
On February 1st, the blockade-runner Advance ran the blockade from Wilmington to Nassau. From July 1863 to September 1864, it ran the blockade 18 times before being captured.
Its commander was Lt. Thomas M. Crossan and Chief Engineer James MaGleen.
Crossan is buried at the Somerville Family Cemetery in Warrenton in Warren County, North Carolina. He also commanded the North Carolina ship Winslow.
The Advance, Now THERE Was a Blockade-Runner. --B-R'er
John Laird Sons: Blockade Runners
In 1864, the sidewheel, steel-hulled, purpose-built blockade-runner Wren was built by Laird Sons for Fraser, Trenholm & Company. It made three successful round trip voyages between Havana and Galveston.
In 1864, the purpose-built, steel-hulled, sidewheel blockade-runner Lark was built for Fraser, Trenholm & Company. It made four successful round trip runs between Havana and Galveston. One rare occurrence was fighting off a Federal boarding party.
On May 24, 1865, carrying the Denbigh's crew, the Lark ran out of Galveston and became the last blockade-runner to clear a Confederate port.
Another purpose-built, steel-hulled, sidewheel steamer, the Penguin was built in 1865 for Fraser, Trenholm & Co., but was unfinished when the war ended.
Purpose-built would mean that the ship was built specifically to run the blockade off the Confederate coast.`
You can go to an excellent site on a blockade-runner at Denbigh Project.
Thanks Laird Sons. --Old B-Runner
In 1864, the purpose-built, steel-hulled, sidewheel blockade-runner Lark was built for Fraser, Trenholm & Company. It made four successful round trip runs between Havana and Galveston. One rare occurrence was fighting off a Federal boarding party.
On May 24, 1865, carrying the Denbigh's crew, the Lark ran out of Galveston and became the last blockade-runner to clear a Confederate port.
Another purpose-built, steel-hulled, sidewheel steamer, the Penguin was built in 1865 for Fraser, Trenholm & Co., but was unfinished when the war ended.
Purpose-built would mean that the ship was built specifically to run the blockade off the Confederate coast.`
You can go to an excellent site on a blockade-runner at Denbigh Project.
Thanks Laird Sons. --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Mapping Out Fort Fisher's Future
From the August 23rd Wilmington Star News.
Two public forums will be held today and tomorrow to discuss the planning process for the future of the fort according to the Fort Fisher State Historic Site public information officer, Si Lawrence.
The first one tonight at 6:30 pm, will be in the auditorium of the New Hanover County Arboretum. Tomorrow it will be at the police training room at the Carolina Beach Municipal Building at 6:30 pm.
Charles Page, the president of Cool Springs Center, will moderate the discussion.
I would like to see more of the fortification returned to its 1865 appearance like the Sheppard Battery. Plus, I would like to see the recreation of the Armstrong Gun placed on its carriage. I would also like to see a recreation of the Mound Battery near where its original location was.
My Favorite Civil War Fort. --Old B-Runner
Two public forums will be held today and tomorrow to discuss the planning process for the future of the fort according to the Fort Fisher State Historic Site public information officer, Si Lawrence.
The first one tonight at 6:30 pm, will be in the auditorium of the New Hanover County Arboretum. Tomorrow it will be at the police training room at the Carolina Beach Municipal Building at 6:30 pm.
Charles Page, the president of Cool Springs Center, will moderate the discussion.
I would like to see more of the fortification returned to its 1865 appearance like the Sheppard Battery. Plus, I would like to see the recreation of the Armstrong Gun placed on its carriage. I would also like to see a recreation of the Mound Battery near where its original location was.
My Favorite Civil War Fort. --Old B-Runner
John Laird Sons & Co.
Laird, Son & Company were noted British shipbuilders known for their structurally sound and sometimes innovative vessels. From 1829 to 1947 over 1,100 ships were launched into the Mersey River from their facilities at Birkenhead near in Liverpool.
One of these ships was the steamer Denbigh built in 1860 which became a famous blockade-runner and the CSS Alabama.
In 1863, Laird Sons were building iron hulled, armored warships that were intended for the Confederacy, but never delivered. They were known as the so-called Laird Rams. Their construction caused an international dispute which was only resolved when the British Navy seized them and put them into service as the HMS Wivern and HMS Scorpion (originally the CSS Mississippi and CSS North Carolina respectively).
They both featured twin turrets and telescoping funnels along with 3 to 4.5 inch side armor. They were superior to anything the US Navy had at the time. Both remained in service with the Royal Navy into the 20th century.
Sure Could've Used These Two Ships. --B-R'er
One of these ships was the steamer Denbigh built in 1860 which became a famous blockade-runner and the CSS Alabama.
In 1863, Laird Sons were building iron hulled, armored warships that were intended for the Confederacy, but never delivered. They were known as the so-called Laird Rams. Their construction caused an international dispute which was only resolved when the British Navy seized them and put them into service as the HMS Wivern and HMS Scorpion (originally the CSS Mississippi and CSS North Carolina respectively).
They both featured twin turrets and telescoping funnels along with 3 to 4.5 inch side armor. They were superior to anything the US Navy had at the time. Both remained in service with the Royal Navy into the 20th century.
Sure Could've Used These Two Ships. --B-R'er
Tampa's Egmont Key
Egmont Key is an island off the entrance to Tampa Bay, Florida.
A new lighthouse was constructed in 1858 to replace the one completed in 1848 that was immediately put out of commission by the Great Hurricane of 1848 and another one in 1852. The new tower was 87 feet high with an Argard kerosene lamp and Fixed Frensel lens.
Confederate troops occupied Egmont Keyat the beginning of the Civil War, but took the lens with them when they were forced to leave the island.
The Union Navy used Egmont Key as a base for their Gulf Coast Blockade. Union troops raided Tampa at one time in a futile search for the lens.
And, I'd Never Heard of It. --Old B-Runner
A new lighthouse was constructed in 1858 to replace the one completed in 1848 that was immediately put out of commission by the Great Hurricane of 1848 and another one in 1852. The new tower was 87 feet high with an Argard kerosene lamp and Fixed Frensel lens.
Confederate troops occupied Egmont Keyat the beginning of the Civil War, but took the lens with them when they were forced to leave the island.
The Union Navy used Egmont Key as a base for their Gulf Coast Blockade. Union troops raided Tampa at one time in a futile search for the lens.
And, I'd Never Heard of It. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Back to Missouri and Route 66 for the Civil War, This Time Grant-- Part 1
From the August 22nd St. Louis Post-Dispatch "A Look Back: Ulysses Grant's marriage was aquiet affair."
One fiddler provided the entertainment and there was a table with refreshments at the back of the room. Hardly a big deal for a man who would go on to command all the Union Armies in the Civil War and then serve two terms at president.
The Rev. John H. Linn married Julia Dent and Lt. Ulysses S. Grant in her family residence at 701 South Fourth Street in St. Louis on a hot August 22, 1848. The marriage only warranted 3 lines in the local newspaper, despite the fact Julia's father was a man of considerable means as a successful farmer.
Grant was 26 and had just returned from the Mexican War. One of his groomsmen was James Longstreet, a fellow officer and Julia's cousin. Longstreet would go on to become a general in the Confederate Army and an adversary of Grant.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
One fiddler provided the entertainment and there was a table with refreshments at the back of the room. Hardly a big deal for a man who would go on to command all the Union Armies in the Civil War and then serve two terms at president.
The Rev. John H. Linn married Julia Dent and Lt. Ulysses S. Grant in her family residence at 701 South Fourth Street in St. Louis on a hot August 22, 1848. The marriage only warranted 3 lines in the local newspaper, despite the fact Julia's father was a man of considerable means as a successful farmer.
Grant was 26 and had just returned from the Mexican War. One of his groomsmen was James Longstreet, a fellow officer and Julia's cousin. Longstreet would go on to become a general in the Confederate Army and an adversary of Grant.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
Monday, August 23, 2010
USS Port Royal
From Wikipedia
The USS Port Royal a 209 foot-long, 805 ton steamboat, was commissioned April 26, 1863 and served with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron until the spring of 1863 when it was operating off the Florida Panhandle coast.
While with NABS it participated in the bombardment of Darling Bluff in Virginia and the attack on Kinston, NC.
On April 20, 1863, a landing party raided Apalachicola, Florida and captured cotton and ordinance. On May 24, 1863, another expedition from the Port Royal went up the Apalachicola River and captured the blockade-runner Fancy with a load of cotton, burned a ship repair facility and destroyed a barge.
From Florida Civil War author Dale Cox's December 16, 2009, Civil War Florida Blog.
Forty-one officers and men from the USS Port Royal boarded small boats under the command of Acting Master Edgar Van Slyck, May 23, 1863, and proceeded up the Apalachicola River to capture the sloop Fashion which was reportedly taking on cotton and intending to run the blockade.
They rowed an estimated 45 miles up the river and slipped past the Confederate Fort Gadsden at night, but didn't find the Fashion. However, returning downstream, they did find and capture the vessel without resistance. and took it downstream. They fired a shot at Fort Gadsden but received no return fire.
This set the CSS Chattahoochee off in pursuit which is when the boiler explosion took place.
An Interesting and Little Part of the War. --B-R'er
The USS Port Royal a 209 foot-long, 805 ton steamboat, was commissioned April 26, 1863 and served with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron until the spring of 1863 when it was operating off the Florida Panhandle coast.
While with NABS it participated in the bombardment of Darling Bluff in Virginia and the attack on Kinston, NC.
On April 20, 1863, a landing party raided Apalachicola, Florida and captured cotton and ordinance. On May 24, 1863, another expedition from the Port Royal went up the Apalachicola River and captured the blockade-runner Fancy with a load of cotton, burned a ship repair facility and destroyed a barge.
From Florida Civil War author Dale Cox's December 16, 2009, Civil War Florida Blog.
Forty-one officers and men from the USS Port Royal boarded small boats under the command of Acting Master Edgar Van Slyck, May 23, 1863, and proceeded up the Apalachicola River to capture the sloop Fashion which was reportedly taking on cotton and intending to run the blockade.
They rowed an estimated 45 miles up the river and slipped past the Confederate Fort Gadsden at night, but didn't find the Fashion. However, returning downstream, they did find and capture the vessel without resistance. and took it downstream. They fired a shot at Fort Gadsden but received no return fire.
This set the CSS Chattahoochee off in pursuit which is when the boiler explosion took place.
An Interesting and Little Part of the War. --B-R'er
Some More Missouri Civil War Route 66 Stuff
From the August 22nd Joplin (Mo) Globe.
The Lee and Grant special traveling exhibit will be at the Powers Museum in Carthage, Missouri, from September 1st to October 20th. A visit will help increase your knowledge of these two bigger-than-life Civil War generals.
Included in the exhibit are two full-size military tent replicas. In one, you will find Grant's binoculars and the other Lee's Bible and glasses. Letters and other artifacts from both are also shown.
Several other experiences are planned during the exhibit's stay, including a short stop during the Missouri Route 66 Association's 2010 Motor Tour along the historic route across the state.
I came across another site that listed some of the items that are at the exhibit. Along with photographs, paintings, sculpture and prints there are also pieces of clothing and personal possessions and documents written by the two men.
There is Grant's handwritten terms of surrender to lee dated April 8, 1865.
A Dec. 29, 1862, deed of emancipation (freeing of a slave) signed by Lee.
And Lee's signed copy of his father's Funeral Oration to General Washington. "First in the hearts...."
So, While Checking Out the Battle of Carthage, You Can Get a Double Dose of Civil War. --Old B-Runner
The Lee and Grant special traveling exhibit will be at the Powers Museum in Carthage, Missouri, from September 1st to October 20th. A visit will help increase your knowledge of these two bigger-than-life Civil War generals.
Included in the exhibit are two full-size military tent replicas. In one, you will find Grant's binoculars and the other Lee's Bible and glasses. Letters and other artifacts from both are also shown.
Several other experiences are planned during the exhibit's stay, including a short stop during the Missouri Route 66 Association's 2010 Motor Tour along the historic route across the state.
I came across another site that listed some of the items that are at the exhibit. Along with photographs, paintings, sculpture and prints there are also pieces of clothing and personal possessions and documents written by the two men.
There is Grant's handwritten terms of surrender to lee dated April 8, 1865.
A Dec. 29, 1862, deed of emancipation (freeing of a slave) signed by Lee.
And Lee's signed copy of his father's Funeral Oration to General Washington. "First in the hearts...."
So, While Checking Out the Battle of Carthage, You Can Get a Double Dose of Civil War. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Battle of Carthage, Missouri
One of those little-known battles of the war. From the June 29th Carthage (Mo) Press.
The Vangilder family announced they wouldn't be running the ceremony to commemorate the battle in 2010. So Steve Cottrell and the Battle of Carthage Sesquicentennial Ad-Hoc Committee is pushing for the 149th anniversary ceremony to take place July 15th at the state park east of Centennial Avenue at 6 pm.
The Battle of Carthage was fought July 5, 1861 and involved more than 7,000 troops, arguably the first major action of the war. The Union force consisted of 1,100 mostly German-Americans from St.Louis and were up against the Missouri State Guard, about 6,000, but 2,00 of whom were unarmed.
The Federals camped July 4 and 5, 1861, in the park that is now the Battle of Carthage State Historical Site. On July 5th, they marched through Carthage, which then had a population of 350, then north along a road that roughly paralleled the current Civil War Road.
Near the end of Civil War Road, near Baseline Road, they encountered the State Guard and a running battle ensued for the rest of the day. The Union force under Col. Franz Sigel retreated and fought a delaying battle that continued through Carthage where rounds were exchanged in the square.
Union artillery set up on the bluff overlooking the camp they had been at the night before delayed the Confederate advance long enough to allow Federals to retreat over night.
According to Vangilder research, this was the first time two true armies had opposed each other on American soil since the War of 1812 and it predated Bull Run.
I'll have to check it out the next time I'm cruising Route 66.
File Under Battles I Didn't Know. --B-R'er
The Vangilder family announced they wouldn't be running the ceremony to commemorate the battle in 2010. So Steve Cottrell and the Battle of Carthage Sesquicentennial Ad-Hoc Committee is pushing for the 149th anniversary ceremony to take place July 15th at the state park east of Centennial Avenue at 6 pm.
The Battle of Carthage was fought July 5, 1861 and involved more than 7,000 troops, arguably the first major action of the war. The Union force consisted of 1,100 mostly German-Americans from St.Louis and were up against the Missouri State Guard, about 6,000, but 2,00 of whom were unarmed.
The Federals camped July 4 and 5, 1861, in the park that is now the Battle of Carthage State Historical Site. On July 5th, they marched through Carthage, which then had a population of 350, then north along a road that roughly paralleled the current Civil War Road.
Near the end of Civil War Road, near Baseline Road, they encountered the State Guard and a running battle ensued for the rest of the day. The Union force under Col. Franz Sigel retreated and fought a delaying battle that continued through Carthage where rounds were exchanged in the square.
Union artillery set up on the bluff overlooking the camp they had been at the night before delayed the Confederate advance long enough to allow Federals to retreat over night.
According to Vangilder research, this was the first time two true armies had opposed each other on American soil since the War of 1812 and it predated Bull Run.
I'll have to check it out the next time I'm cruising Route 66.
File Under Battles I Didn't Know. --B-R'er
Georgia Confederate Prison Discovered
This has really been in the news a lot this past week.
August 16th CNN "Major archaeological find at Civil War prison."
The exact stockade location and many personal artifacts of Union prisoners has been found at Millen Prison. Georgia. Camp Lawton replaced Andersonville Prison in the fall of 1864. Students from Georgia Southern began looking for it earlier this year near Millen, Georgia, in the southeastern part of the state.
Camp Lawton was only open for six weeks and even in that short time got the reputation of being "foul and fetid." Between 725 and 1330 died in the 42 acre enclosure which reached 10,000 prisoners before it was closed when Sherman's troops approached.
One prisoner, Private Robert Knox, painted watercolors of it and kept a 5,000 page journal.
When Sherman's soldiers arrived, they found an empty prison and a freshly-dug area and a board reading "650 buried here." Outraged, much of the stockade was burned along with camp buildings. Then, a depot and hotel in Millen met the same fate.
Always great When New Civil War Things Are Discovered. --Old B-Runner
August 16th CNN "Major archaeological find at Civil War prison."
The exact stockade location and many personal artifacts of Union prisoners has been found at Millen Prison. Georgia. Camp Lawton replaced Andersonville Prison in the fall of 1864. Students from Georgia Southern began looking for it earlier this year near Millen, Georgia, in the southeastern part of the state.
Camp Lawton was only open for six weeks and even in that short time got the reputation of being "foul and fetid." Between 725 and 1330 died in the 42 acre enclosure which reached 10,000 prisoners before it was closed when Sherman's troops approached.
One prisoner, Private Robert Knox, painted watercolors of it and kept a 5,000 page journal.
When Sherman's soldiers arrived, they found an empty prison and a freshly-dug area and a board reading "650 buried here." Outraged, much of the stockade was burned along with camp buildings. Then, a depot and hotel in Millen met the same fate.
Always great When New Civil War Things Are Discovered. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, August 19, 2010
How Much is That Civil War Item in the Window?
From July Paul Fraser Collectibles. "Confederate Lieutenant's Colt Pistol Could Go for 15,000 Pounds." http://paulfrasercollectibles.com
The revolver of the CSS Alabama's 5th Lieutenant Arthur Sinclair is expected to get between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds at auction July 28th. Arthur Sinclair (1837-1925) was born in Norfolk, Virginia and served on the CSS Alabama from 1862-1864.
He served in the US Navy under his father starting at age 13. Among the places he served were the Mediterranean and Brazil stations and he was also with Commodore Perry when that officer went to Japan 1852-1855.
The Alabama was sunk June 19, 1864, after an hour battle with the USS Kearsarge. The majority of the crew were captured, but Semmes and Sinclair were rescued by the private yacht Deerhound, whose owner, John Lancaster, had toured the Alabama the day before the battle.
Sinclair must have been injured as he was granted a leave of absence to recuperate. Later he was posted to the CSS Texas just before the end of the war. This vessel was being completed on the River Clyde.
It is not known for sure, but thought that this pistol may have been gifted to John Lancaster in thanks for the rescue.
Sinclair returned to the US after the war and became a merchant in Baltimore and published the book "Two Years on the Alabama" in 1895. he died in Baltimore in 1925.
Although the Alabama never anchored in a southern port, its cruises did $6 million in damage to Union shipping. After the war, the US sued Britain and won the case.
I Never Heard of Sinclair Before. --Old B-Runner
The revolver of the CSS Alabama's 5th Lieutenant Arthur Sinclair is expected to get between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds at auction July 28th. Arthur Sinclair (1837-1925) was born in Norfolk, Virginia and served on the CSS Alabama from 1862-1864.
He served in the US Navy under his father starting at age 13. Among the places he served were the Mediterranean and Brazil stations and he was also with Commodore Perry when that officer went to Japan 1852-1855.
The Alabama was sunk June 19, 1864, after an hour battle with the USS Kearsarge. The majority of the crew were captured, but Semmes and Sinclair were rescued by the private yacht Deerhound, whose owner, John Lancaster, had toured the Alabama the day before the battle.
Sinclair must have been injured as he was granted a leave of absence to recuperate. Later he was posted to the CSS Texas just before the end of the war. This vessel was being completed on the River Clyde.
It is not known for sure, but thought that this pistol may have been gifted to John Lancaster in thanks for the rescue.
Sinclair returned to the US after the war and became a merchant in Baltimore and published the book "Two Years on the Alabama" in 1895. he died in Baltimore in 1925.
Although the Alabama never anchored in a southern port, its cruises did $6 million in damage to Union shipping. After the war, the US sued Britain and won the case.
I Never Heard of Sinclair Before. --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Fort Johnston, North Carolina, in the Civil War
Originally built in 1744 to protect the Cape Fear River from Spanish attack, what is left of it stands today at present-day Southport (originally the town of Smithville) about twenty miles south of Wilmington.
I will have its pre and post Civil War history on my history blog http://cootershistorything.blogspot.com, tomorrow.
This is from the May 10th Wilmington Star-News' MyReporter column where they delve into the history behind readers' questions. This one was by Amy Hotz.
Of all the forts protecting Wilmington during the war, I know the least about this one.
On January 9, 1861, local residents marched on Fort Anderson and demanded its surrender. Ordinance sergeant James Reilly, was the only soldier there and handed the fort over with no resistance.
Governor John Ellis ordered them to return the fort two days later and it was given back to Reilly.
On April 16, 1861, after Fort Sumter, Fort Johnston was occupied once again. Like before, the good sergeant James Reilly surrendered it. Only this time, Reilly resigned from the US Army and joined the Confederate one.
This same James Reilly, now a major, surrendered Fort Fisher to Union forces January 15, 1865. He was buried at Wilmington's Oakdale Cemetery.
During the war, Fort Johnston served as a hub for recruiting and assisted blockade-runners. It was occasionally called Fort Branch or Fort Pender, but most still referred to it as Johnston, named for the British colonial governor Gabriel Johnston who had it built.
From "A History of Fort Johnston on the Lower Cape Fear" by Wilson Angley.
So That Reilly. --Old B-Runner
I will have its pre and post Civil War history on my history blog http://cootershistorything.blogspot.com, tomorrow.
This is from the May 10th Wilmington Star-News' MyReporter column where they delve into the history behind readers' questions. This one was by Amy Hotz.
Of all the forts protecting Wilmington during the war, I know the least about this one.
On January 9, 1861, local residents marched on Fort Anderson and demanded its surrender. Ordinance sergeant James Reilly, was the only soldier there and handed the fort over with no resistance.
Governor John Ellis ordered them to return the fort two days later and it was given back to Reilly.
On April 16, 1861, after Fort Sumter, Fort Johnston was occupied once again. Like before, the good sergeant James Reilly surrendered it. Only this time, Reilly resigned from the US Army and joined the Confederate one.
This same James Reilly, now a major, surrendered Fort Fisher to Union forces January 15, 1865. He was buried at Wilmington's Oakdale Cemetery.
During the war, Fort Johnston served as a hub for recruiting and assisted blockade-runners. It was occasionally called Fort Branch or Fort Pender, but most still referred to it as Johnston, named for the British colonial governor Gabriel Johnston who had it built.
From "A History of Fort Johnston on the Lower Cape Fear" by Wilson Angley.
So That Reilly. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
North Carolina Historian Counting State Battle Deaths-- Part 2
Josh Howard, a research historian with the Office of Archives and History, wants to correct this situation in time for the Civil War Sesquicentennial starting next year. He is preparing the North Carolina Civil War Death Study which will be part of a state Civil War Atlas published by UNC during the five-year commemoration.
He will be challenging the long-held state boast that North Carolina sacrificed the most men of any Confederate state in the cause of Southern Independence.
Ever since 1866, the number of war deaths used by all states has been based on a federal study by General James B. Fry. He and his clerks examined Union and captured Confederate muster rolls as well as regimental reports to determine those lost from fighting, diseases, accidents and those who died in prison.
Using Fry's numbers, North Carolina's total comes to 40,275, more than twice that of the second highest number posted by South Carolina which had 17,612.
Howard calls Fry's numbers "incorrect and misguided."
Some interesting information he has found:
** About 2000 North Carolina blacks and whites died in Union service.
** No North Carolina women died in military action during the war.
** No blacks died serving the state in Confederate service.
It is a great effort on Mr. Howard's part to accomplish this death roll. He is to be commended. I know I wouldn't want to go through that many accounts.
A Project Long Overdue. --Old B-Runner
He will be challenging the long-held state boast that North Carolina sacrificed the most men of any Confederate state in the cause of Southern Independence.
Ever since 1866, the number of war deaths used by all states has been based on a federal study by General James B. Fry. He and his clerks examined Union and captured Confederate muster rolls as well as regimental reports to determine those lost from fighting, diseases, accidents and those who died in prison.
Using Fry's numbers, North Carolina's total comes to 40,275, more than twice that of the second highest number posted by South Carolina which had 17,612.
Howard calls Fry's numbers "incorrect and misguided."
Some interesting information he has found:
** About 2000 North Carolina blacks and whites died in Union service.
** No North Carolina women died in military action during the war.
** No blacks died serving the state in Confederate service.
It is a great effort on Mr. Howard's part to accomplish this death roll. He is to be commended. I know I wouldn't want to go through that many accounts.
A Project Long Overdue. --Old B-Runner
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