Lights Out for Fort Fisher-- Part 3; The Naval Attack Fizzles

JANUARY 15TH, 1865:

Continuing with the Naval Column.

Some 60 men under Lt.Cmdr. Thomas O. Selfridge reached and broke through the palisade, but it was the high water mark of the attack.  They were hurled back and others recoiled under the withering fire coming at them from atop the fort's parapets.

Ensign Evans wrote: "All the officers in their anxiety to be the first into the fort, had advanced to the heads of the columns, leaving no one to steady the men in behind; and it was in this way we were defeated, by the men breaking for the rear."

The significance of the naval attack was perceived by Confederate Col. Lamb when he wrote that "their gallant attempt enabled the army to enter and obtain a foothold, which they otherwise could not have done."

It seems that this naval assault had a lot to do with the Navy capturing the fort instead of the Army.

--Old B-Runner