I came across an announcement for the Brunswick Civil War Round Table's (Southport, North Carolina) September 6th meeting and their featured speaker, Stephen R. Wise, who will be speaking about blockade-runners. This man is one of the foremost authorities on this activity, having written the book "Lifeline of the Confederacy: Blockade Running During the Civil War."
He is a professor at the University of South Carolina Beaufort Campus and will focus on the blockade off the North Carolina Coast, its impact on Southport (called Smithville during the war) and blockade-running into and out of Wilmington.
You'd better believe I'd really love to be at this talk. I could also get my copy of his book autographed.
Too far Away and Was Just in the Area. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Richard Kidder Meade; No Close Relative of General Meade-- Part 8
Continued from the Friends of Gettysburg web site.
R.K. Meade was a hero in the North after Sumter's surrender, but he resigned his commission when it became apparent Virginia would also secede. He became an engineer in the Confederate Army.
Confederate General J.R. Anderson wrote a letter to Secretary of War Judah Benjamin requesting that Meade be commissioned a Captain of Engineers. As such, he directed the fortifications that became Fort Fisher for a short time before serving on the staff of General Longstreet on the Virginia Peninsula. Promoted to major in the summer of 1862, he died of typhoid July 31, 1862 at Petersburg, Virginia.
He was buried at Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia. His father, Richard Kidder Meade, Sr., is also buried there.
To What heights Might This Young Man have Risen Had It Not Been for His Early Death? --Old B-R'er
R.K. Meade was a hero in the North after Sumter's surrender, but he resigned his commission when it became apparent Virginia would also secede. He became an engineer in the Confederate Army.
Confederate General J.R. Anderson wrote a letter to Secretary of War Judah Benjamin requesting that Meade be commissioned a Captain of Engineers. As such, he directed the fortifications that became Fort Fisher for a short time before serving on the staff of General Longstreet on the Virginia Peninsula. Promoted to major in the summer of 1862, he died of typhoid July 31, 1862 at Petersburg, Virginia.
He was buried at Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia. His father, Richard Kidder Meade, Sr., is also buried there.
To What heights Might This Young Man have Risen Had It Not Been for His Early Death? --Old B-R'er
Richard Kidder Meade; No Close Relation to General Meade-- Part 7
From the Friends of Gettysburg Web Site.
A member saw a picture in the March 23, 1861 Harper's Weekly Magazine of the federal officers at Fort Sumter. The name of one being Meade sparked their interest.
Further research showed that Richard Kidder Meade was not a close relative of Gettysburg's General George Meade. R.K. Meade was a member of a prominent Virginia family who graduated the USMA and entered service as a Brevet 2nd. Lt. of Engineers in July, 1857. The Engineer Corps was reserved for the very top officers in the Army.
Lt. Meade was at Fort Sumter during the crisis. Even with his Southern leanings, he evidently performed his job at the fort, as another officer wrote, "Lieut. R,K. Meade, Engineers, placed on ordnance duty, found the supply of cartridges on hand to be too small, and took immediate measures to increase the supply by cutting up all the surplus blankets and extra clothing to make cartridge bags (for the artillery)."
Performing His Duty. --Old B-Runner
A member saw a picture in the March 23, 1861 Harper's Weekly Magazine of the federal officers at Fort Sumter. The name of one being Meade sparked their interest.
Further research showed that Richard Kidder Meade was not a close relative of Gettysburg's General George Meade. R.K. Meade was a member of a prominent Virginia family who graduated the USMA and entered service as a Brevet 2nd. Lt. of Engineers in July, 1857. The Engineer Corps was reserved for the very top officers in the Army.
Lt. Meade was at Fort Sumter during the crisis. Even with his Southern leanings, he evidently performed his job at the fort, as another officer wrote, "Lieut. R,K. Meade, Engineers, placed on ordnance duty, found the supply of cartridges on hand to be too small, and took immediate measures to increase the supply by cutting up all the surplus blankets and extra clothing to make cartridge bags (for the artillery)."
Performing His Duty. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Richard Kidder Meade-- Part 6
Earlier this month I was writing about this man and his short but interesting Civil War service. The last entry was August 3rd.
While at Fort Fisher a few days ago, I learned that part of the fort was named Batter Meade and had been designed by Richard Kidder Meade during the short time he was there. It no longer mounted guns by the time the fort was attacked and had been turned into a hospital to which Col. Lamb and Gen. Whiting were taken after they were wounded in action. They were later moved to Battery Buchanan where they and the garrison surrendered.
On December 27, 1860, Major Robert Anderson sent this telegram from Fort Sumter to Col. S. Cooper:
"This afternoon an armed steamer, one of two which have been watching these two forts, between which they have been passing to and fro or anchored for the last night, took possession by escalade of Castle Pinckney. Lieutenant Meade made no resistance. He is with us to-night.
They also took possession to-night of Fort Moultrie, from which I withfrew the remainder of my men this afternoon, leaving the fort in charge of the overseer of the men employed by the Engineer Department."
What kind of resistance to he expect Meade to put up when he only had one soldier with him? Or perhaps the fact that Meade was a Southerner made Anderson wonder where the man's loyalties truly were.
The Plot Thickens. --Old B-R'er
While at Fort Fisher a few days ago, I learned that part of the fort was named Batter Meade and had been designed by Richard Kidder Meade during the short time he was there. It no longer mounted guns by the time the fort was attacked and had been turned into a hospital to which Col. Lamb and Gen. Whiting were taken after they were wounded in action. They were later moved to Battery Buchanan where they and the garrison surrendered.
On December 27, 1860, Major Robert Anderson sent this telegram from Fort Sumter to Col. S. Cooper:
"This afternoon an armed steamer, one of two which have been watching these two forts, between which they have been passing to and fro or anchored for the last night, took possession by escalade of Castle Pinckney. Lieutenant Meade made no resistance. He is with us to-night.
They also took possession to-night of Fort Moultrie, from which I withfrew the remainder of my men this afternoon, leaving the fort in charge of the overseer of the men employed by the Engineer Department."
What kind of resistance to he expect Meade to put up when he only had one soldier with him? Or perhaps the fact that Meade was a Southerner made Anderson wonder where the man's loyalties truly were.
The Plot Thickens. --Old B-R'er
Irene's Damage to Cape Fear Coast; Not Much
The August 28th Chron.com headlined "Few signs of Irene in beach towns near Wilmington."
They reported hundreds of people on the beaches of Carlina Beach and Kure Beach Sunday, enjoying sunny skies and gentle waves.
The reporter saw some piles of branches and palm fronds and some standing water in places.
At Carolina Beach, the beachfront road had already been plowed of the sand that had washed up on it.
Several life guard stands had been blown over and there were signs of beach erosion at Kure Beach.
At Fort Fisher, stairs leading to two dune walkovers were washed away, leaving a ten-foot drop to the beach. Several black pipes that carry rainwater to the beach were uncovered.
I'm wondering if they had any hurricanes by Fort Fisher during the Civil War?
But, It Could Have Been Much Worse. Like Jimmy Buffett says, "Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season." --Old B-Runner
They reported hundreds of people on the beaches of Carlina Beach and Kure Beach Sunday, enjoying sunny skies and gentle waves.
The reporter saw some piles of branches and palm fronds and some standing water in places.
At Carolina Beach, the beachfront road had already been plowed of the sand that had washed up on it.
Several life guard stands had been blown over and there were signs of beach erosion at Kure Beach.
At Fort Fisher, stairs leading to two dune walkovers were washed away, leaving a ten-foot drop to the beach. Several black pipes that carry rainwater to the beach were uncovered.
I'm wondering if they had any hurricanes by Fort Fisher during the Civil War?
But, It Could Have Been Much Worse. Like Jimmy Buffett says, "Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season." --Old B-Runner
Monday, August 29, 2011
Irene Messes with the Civil War
The recent arrival of Hurricane Irene along the North Carolina coast forced the cancellation of several war-related activities.
The Fort Fisher State Historic Site was closed Friday and Saturday.
The Flags Over Hatteras conference was also cancelled.
As was a living history program at Bentonville State Historic Site.
Better to Be Safe Than You-Know-What. --Old B-R'er
The Fort Fisher State Historic Site was closed Friday and Saturday.
The Flags Over Hatteras conference was also cancelled.
As was a living history program at Bentonville State Historic Site.
Better to Be Safe Than You-Know-What. --Old B-R'er
It's a Naval Thing
From This Day in Naval History.
AUGUST 25th
1843-- The steam frigate USS Mississippi arrives in Gibraltar after completing the first trans-Atlantic crossing by a US steam-powered ship. Steamers played a big role in the war.
AUGUST 26th
1839-- The brig USS Washington seizes the slaver Amistad near Montauk Point, New York. Quite a few US naval vessels were involved in stopping the illegal African slave trade before the war.
1861-- Union amphibious force lands near Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina. The first of many land-sea operations during the war, the largest of which was at Fort Fisher.
1865-- The Civil War ends with the following Naval strength: 58,500 men and 600 ships.
AUGUST 29th
1861-- The US Navy captures the forts guarding Hatteras Inlet, NC.
Sure Helped Union Morale After the First Battle of Bull Run. --Old B-Runner
AUGUST 25th
1843-- The steam frigate USS Mississippi arrives in Gibraltar after completing the first trans-Atlantic crossing by a US steam-powered ship. Steamers played a big role in the war.
AUGUST 26th
1839-- The brig USS Washington seizes the slaver Amistad near Montauk Point, New York. Quite a few US naval vessels were involved in stopping the illegal African slave trade before the war.
1861-- Union amphibious force lands near Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina. The first of many land-sea operations during the war, the largest of which was at Fort Fisher.
1865-- The Civil War ends with the following Naval strength: 58,500 men and 600 ships.
AUGUST 29th
1861-- The US Navy captures the forts guarding Hatteras Inlet, NC.
Sure Helped Union Morale After the First Battle of Bull Run. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, August 27, 2011
ECU Students Working with Cargo of Blockade-Runner Modern Greece-- Part 2
Two pictures accompanied the article, one of a student holding a copper chain on an Enfield rifle from the ship and the other showing pieces of tableware.
The Modern Greece was one of the first runners lost to the blockade off Wilmington. It was an English cargo steamer and not-built for its new activity, especially because of its deep draft. It was carrying a load of consumer goods and weapons for the Confederacy.
It was chased aground June 27, 1862 and sunk by its crew to prevent the gunpowder kegs from exploding.
Students worked to record the type and condition of artifacts and photographed many to evaluate their future conservation.
Items included Enfield rifles, antler-handled knives, handcuffs, hoes, picks and other 1800s farm and household goods.
I Would Have Been Happy to Volunteer My Time. Let Me Know Next Time. --Old B-Runner
The Modern Greece was one of the first runners lost to the blockade off Wilmington. It was an English cargo steamer and not-built for its new activity, especially because of its deep draft. It was carrying a load of consumer goods and weapons for the Confederacy.
It was chased aground June 27, 1862 and sunk by its crew to prevent the gunpowder kegs from exploding.
Students worked to record the type and condition of artifacts and photographed many to evaluate their future conservation.
Items included Enfield rifles, antler-handled knives, handcuffs, hoes, picks and other 1800s farm and household goods.
I Would Have Been Happy to Volunteer My Time. Let Me Know Next Time. --Old B-Runner
Friday, August 26, 2011
ECU Students Working with Cargo of Blockade-Runner Modern Greece-- Part 1
From the Fall 2011 East: the Magazine of East Carolina University.
The Modern Greece was rediscovered in 1962 about 300 yards off the shore of Fort Fisher after a storm uncovered it. Divers recovered around 11,500 artifacts from the wreck. Some of the best items were conserved and put on display at museums.
Its discovery led to the creation of the North Carolina State Underwater Archaeology Branch as a new part of the State Department of Cultural Resources.
However, most of the items were not examined in detail at the time and left in water tanks for preservation where they remained until this past spring when 11 ECU marine studies students went to the Fort Fisher site and did extensive examination, cataloguing and descriptions of said artifacts.
They were led by Susanne Grieve, ECU director of conservation for maritime studies and Nathan Henry, an assistant state archaeologist and they examined consumer goods like tableware along with guns, ammunition and cannons (I didn't know the Modern Greece was carrying cannons).
Without a doubt, I sure would have liked to have been there.
They Should Have Told Me. --Old B-R'er
The Modern Greece was rediscovered in 1962 about 300 yards off the shore of Fort Fisher after a storm uncovered it. Divers recovered around 11,500 artifacts from the wreck. Some of the best items were conserved and put on display at museums.
Its discovery led to the creation of the North Carolina State Underwater Archaeology Branch as a new part of the State Department of Cultural Resources.
However, most of the items were not examined in detail at the time and left in water tanks for preservation where they remained until this past spring when 11 ECU marine studies students went to the Fort Fisher site and did extensive examination, cataloguing and descriptions of said artifacts.
They were led by Susanne Grieve, ECU director of conservation for maritime studies and Nathan Henry, an assistant state archaeologist and they examined consumer goods like tableware along with guns, ammunition and cannons (I didn't know the Modern Greece was carrying cannons).
Without a doubt, I sure would have liked to have been there.
They Should Have Told Me. --Old B-R'er
Confederates Take Control of Ship Island-- Part 1
From the July 2nd Sun Herald (Biloxi-Gulfport, Ms.).
Ship Island, now East and West Ship Island since Hurricane Camille split the place in two in 1969, is located in the Gulf of Mexico off Gulfport, Mississippi. The construction of a fort on it had commenced in 1859, but by 1861, it wasn't nearly completed. It is considered an important defensive position for the Mississippi coast as well as New Orleans to the west and Mobile to the east.
By June 1861, the Gulf Blockading Squadron was getting more active and Confederate Brigadier General David Twiggs decided that a garrison was needed for Ship island because of its strategic significance.
The as of yet unnamed fort on it was incomplete and it was no vacation spot with few trees, high temperatures and humidity. All structures on the island had already been burned by command of Confederate Brigadier General William Hardee, so occupying troops would have to live in tents.
General Twiggs had the soldiers to occupy it, but not the heavy cannons to defend it. There were some guns of heavy calibre at the New Orleans Navy Yard and some were ordered to the island.
Ship Those Guns to the Island. --Old B-Runner
Ship Island, now East and West Ship Island since Hurricane Camille split the place in two in 1969, is located in the Gulf of Mexico off Gulfport, Mississippi. The construction of a fort on it had commenced in 1859, but by 1861, it wasn't nearly completed. It is considered an important defensive position for the Mississippi coast as well as New Orleans to the west and Mobile to the east.
By June 1861, the Gulf Blockading Squadron was getting more active and Confederate Brigadier General David Twiggs decided that a garrison was needed for Ship island because of its strategic significance.
The as of yet unnamed fort on it was incomplete and it was no vacation spot with few trees, high temperatures and humidity. All structures on the island had already been burned by command of Confederate Brigadier General William Hardee, so occupying troops would have to live in tents.
General Twiggs had the soldiers to occupy it, but not the heavy cannons to defend it. There were some guns of heavy calibre at the New Orleans Navy Yard and some were ordered to the island.
Ship Those Guns to the Island. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Chris Fonvielle's New Fort Fisher Book
I bought noted Fort Fisher expert Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr.'s new book, Fort Fisher 1865: The Photographs of T.H. O'Sullivan, at the Fort Fisher Museum last Friday and sure enjoyed my first look through it.
Collecting this many of the photographs taken after the fort had fallen is an accomplishment in itself, but then Fonvielle writes about each photo and shows from which direction it was taken.
Then, from pages 3 to 26, he gives as good of a background of Wilmington, blockade-running, the construction of the fort and the two battles as you'll find anywhere.
It was amazing that serious work on the fort did not really start to occur until Col. William Lamb took command of it July 4, 1862.
Before that, a series of commanders had been in charge and the fort had grown piecemeal and in a disorganized manner. I was familiar with some of the former commanders and engineers such as Charles Pattison Bolles, William Lord DeRosset, W.H.C. Whiting (while a Confederate major) and John J. Hedrick.
However, I have only come to know two others just this past year and both by coincidence.
After attending the Daffodil Festival in Fremont, North Carolina, I wanted to find out a little about its history. It was named for the head of the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad, Seawell Fremont (it was a station on the railroad). Another source said he was in charge of all coastal defense from New River to the South Carolina line which would include what became Fort Fisher.
Then, this summer, I came across an auction of items owned by Richard Kidder Meade and short note that he had been at Fort Fisher at one point. There was one part of the fort called Battery Meade which he designed.
Mighty Good Book. --Old B-R'er
Collecting this many of the photographs taken after the fort had fallen is an accomplishment in itself, but then Fonvielle writes about each photo and shows from which direction it was taken.
Then, from pages 3 to 26, he gives as good of a background of Wilmington, blockade-running, the construction of the fort and the two battles as you'll find anywhere.
It was amazing that serious work on the fort did not really start to occur until Col. William Lamb took command of it July 4, 1862.
Before that, a series of commanders had been in charge and the fort had grown piecemeal and in a disorganized manner. I was familiar with some of the former commanders and engineers such as Charles Pattison Bolles, William Lord DeRosset, W.H.C. Whiting (while a Confederate major) and John J. Hedrick.
However, I have only come to know two others just this past year and both by coincidence.
After attending the Daffodil Festival in Fremont, North Carolina, I wanted to find out a little about its history. It was named for the head of the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad, Seawell Fremont (it was a station on the railroad). Another source said he was in charge of all coastal defense from New River to the South Carolina line which would include what became Fort Fisher.
Then, this summer, I came across an auction of items owned by Richard Kidder Meade and short note that he had been at Fort Fisher at one point. There was one part of the fort called Battery Meade which he designed.
Mighty Good Book. --Old B-R'er
USS Granite City: Confederate/Union/Confederate
Back on August 17th, I was writing about the USS Penguin (kind of an unlikely name for a naval warship if you ask me) which had been responsible for destroying the first blockade-runner off the Cape Fear/Wilmington area in 1861.
Later in the war, it captured a Confederate blockade-runner called the Granite City off Texas. It seemed to me that I had heard of a USS Granite City, maybe even written about it, so it was to good old Wiki I went.
This blockade-runner had a very interesting career, and, I had been right, at one time it was the USS Granite City.
It had started out as a blockade-runner and had been captured. After condemnation in prize court, the US Navy bought it and turned it into a warship.
Later, the Confederates captured the ship and it was converted into a blockade-runner and then run ashore by the Penguin.
Not Your Usual Ship's History. --Old B-Runner
Later in the war, it captured a Confederate blockade-runner called the Granite City off Texas. It seemed to me that I had heard of a USS Granite City, maybe even written about it, so it was to good old Wiki I went.
This blockade-runner had a very interesting career, and, I had been right, at one time it was the USS Granite City.
It had started out as a blockade-runner and had been captured. After condemnation in prize court, the US Navy bought it and turned it into a warship.
Later, the Confederates captured the ship and it was converted into a blockade-runner and then run ashore by the Penguin.
Not Your Usual Ship's History. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Some Notes from the Fort Fisher Walk
I went to Fort Fisher August 19th and went out on the 2 pm tour. This is a great way for those not as familiar with the fort's history to better understand what they're looking at, especially since so much of the fort is gone and that it was built of sand and not masonry (now that I know how to spell the word).
I was very appreciative that the guide always stopped in the shade to make his talks.
I wasn't expecting to learn much, but did, which made the walk even better.
Since the battle, many live oaks have grown up on the grounds and north of the site. Live oaks get their name because they don't lose their leaves and stay green during the winter. Their wood is very dense and was used in the construction of the USS Constitution, which got the name Old Ironsides because cannonballs would bounce off its sides.
Along with the garrison, slaves from area plantations also toiled on the fort. However, the garrison slept in the fort and the slaves' camp was located outside the fort. No excavation has been made of the site. I wonder if they even know where it is.
During the second attack, the naval guns from each ship were targeted on specific sections of the fort which proved much more effective than the pattern during the first assault. Most all of the fort's guns were knocked out of action.
The gun chambers (as the positions between the traverses were called) were all connected by a tunnel which stretched from Shephard's Battery by the Cape Fear River, all the way to the Northeast Bastion.
Interesting Stuff. --Old B-R'er
I was very appreciative that the guide always stopped in the shade to make his talks.
I wasn't expecting to learn much, but did, which made the walk even better.
Since the battle, many live oaks have grown up on the grounds and north of the site. Live oaks get their name because they don't lose their leaves and stay green during the winter. Their wood is very dense and was used in the construction of the USS Constitution, which got the name Old Ironsides because cannonballs would bounce off its sides.
Along with the garrison, slaves from area plantations also toiled on the fort. However, the garrison slept in the fort and the slaves' camp was located outside the fort. No excavation has been made of the site. I wonder if they even know where it is.
During the second attack, the naval guns from each ship were targeted on specific sections of the fort which proved much more effective than the pattern during the first assault. Most all of the fort's guns were knocked out of action.
The gun chambers (as the positions between the traverses were called) were all connected by a tunnel which stretched from Shephard's Battery by the Cape Fear River, all the way to the Northeast Bastion.
Interesting Stuff. --Old B-R'er
Fort Fisher Confederate Veterans 1865-1935
The Fort Fisher Museum at Kure Beach, North Carolina, has a new exhibit by the entrance about the organizations of veterans who participated in the two battles for the fort.
I have written about them before.
In 1875, the fort's commander, Colonel William Lamb organized the first reunion in Wilmington. By the 1890s, the two sides had begun to reconcile enough, that former enemies participated in the reunions.
The 1907 reunion was the largest with more than 500 old warriors attending. At it, former Private Benjamin Seeley of the 117th New York met the wounded man he had captured 42 years earlier, James Smith, and the two men were photographed shaking hands.
A photo of the 1905 reunion was also on exhibit.
One of the purposes of the reunions and associations was to have Fort Fisher made into a national park, but that never came to pass.
Let the Old Bad Times Be Remembered. --Old B-Runner
I have written about them before.
In 1875, the fort's commander, Colonel William Lamb organized the first reunion in Wilmington. By the 1890s, the two sides had begun to reconcile enough, that former enemies participated in the reunions.
The 1907 reunion was the largest with more than 500 old warriors attending. At it, former Private Benjamin Seeley of the 117th New York met the wounded man he had captured 42 years earlier, James Smith, and the two men were photographed shaking hands.
A photo of the 1905 reunion was also on exhibit.
One of the purposes of the reunions and associations was to have Fort Fisher made into a national park, but that never came to pass.
Let the Old Bad Times Be Remembered. --Old B-Runner
Monday, August 22, 2011
Blockade-Running at Topsail Island
Today, we went to the Missiles and More Museum in Topsail Beach, North Carolina. Along with pirates, Camp Davis from World War II, and the Bumblebee missile testing, they had two iron ingots recovered from the blockade-runner Phantom.
A total of fourteen ingots were taken from the wreck of the ship which was on its third voyage on the Bermuda-Wilmington run when it was run aground.
The ingots are marked "Pomtifex & Wood, London."
The ship was sunk between Rich's and New Topsail Inlet. Mom's condo is about a mile from the New Topsail Inlet, at least where it is located today.
Could Be Right Offshore of Where I Sit Right Now. --Old B-Runner
A total of fourteen ingots were taken from the wreck of the ship which was on its third voyage on the Bermuda-Wilmington run when it was run aground.
The ingots are marked "Pomtifex & Wood, London."
The ship was sunk between Rich's and New Topsail Inlet. Mom's condo is about a mile from the New Topsail Inlet, at least where it is located today.
Could Be Right Offshore of Where I Sit Right Now. --Old B-Runner
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