Monday, July 16, 2012

Confederate Major James Reilly

The main reason I wanted to go to Fort Fisher this past weekend for the Second Saturday series, was to see both the firing of the 32-pounder on Sheppard's Battery at the western end (Cape Fear River side) of the fort and to hear Jack Travis' presentation on the man who surrenedered Fort Fisher to Union forces on January 15, 1865.

About 35 people assembled in the theater, several of whom I learned afterwards were actual direct descendants of Major Reilly who were in town for the funeral of a family member.  Many had also been there a short while ago when the major's sword, the one he used to surrender the fort, was put on permanent display at the fort's museum.

The presenter Jack "Colonel Black Jack" Travis, has been a re-enactor for twenty years. mostly in Reilly's Battery, in which the major served while in the Army of Northern Virginia, where it was considered to be one of the best units.

More to Come.  --Old B-Runner

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