Cushing's Surprise Attack on Fort Johnston Anniversary Commemorated

From the Feb. 26, 2014, State Port Pilot (NC). //// On February 29, 1864, Union Lt. Cmdr. William Cushing with twenty men in two boats, led an expedition from his ship, the USS Monticello, to capture Fort Johnston's commanding officer, General Louis Hebert. //// Fort Johnston was located at Smithville (now Southport) near the mouth of the Cape Fear River leading to Wilmington, NC. Fortunately, for Hebert, he wasn't there or he would have been captured by the daring Cushing. //// The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Southport commemorated this event on its 150th anniversary from 9 to 5 on Feb. 28th. //// Cushing found blockade duty to be tedious and was looking for excitement. The museum and Chris Fonvielle have developed a new display focusing on the raid. //// --Old B-Runner