FEBRUARY 25TH, 1865: The CSS Chickamauga was burned and sunk by her own crew in the Cape Fear River just below Indian Wells, North Carolina. The position selected by Confederates was above Wilmington on the Northwest Fork of the river leading to Fayetteville.
The scuttling was intended to obstruct the river and prevent Union forces from establishing water communications between troops occupying Wilmington and General Sherman's army operating in the interior of the state.
The effort proved abortive as the current swept the hulk around parallel to the bank and by 12 March the water link between Wilmington and Fayetteville had been opened.
Every river which would float a ship was an artery of strength from the sea for Sherman in his rapid march north.
Can't Even Sink a Boat Right. --Old B-Runner
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