Death of Paul Laird-- Part 3: Chris Fonvielle's Condolences

 As fate would have it, I ended up teaching in the Dept. of History at UNC Wilmington, our undergraduate alma mater, for many years.    I publicly credited Paul with jump starting my career path.  Modest as he was, Paul always downplayed his role, but its my story and I'm sticking to it.

Even after retiring as director of the Friends of Fort Fisher, Paul remained active as a board member for the Moore's Creek Battlefield Association and the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society, and an advisor  to the Brunswick Civil War Round Table.

He and I worked together on many local history projects. most recently the Joseph Ryder Lewis Civil War Park at Carolina Beach.

Cross over the river and rest underneath the shade of the trees, my good friend, and wait for us there.  We'll join you by and by.   In the meantime,  you will always be in my thoughts and prayers.

Chris Fonvielle

Death of Paul Laird-- Part 2: Chris Fonvielle's Condolences

I went to the Wilmington Funeral site and read the condolences.  I seemed to remember that Paul Laird had something to do with the Friends of Fort Fisher even though the obituary just said he worked at Fort Fisher.

One of those condolences was from Chris Fonvielle.  I knew Chris Fonvielle from his days at the Blockade Runner Museum in Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

I will write his words here:

"I extend my deepest sympathies to Kay, Matt, Ben and the entire Laird family for their unexpected loss.  Paul was one of my oldest, closest, and dearest friends, dating back to our days as undergraduates at UNC Wilmington in the 1970s. Were it not for Paul Laird, I may not have become a professional historian.

He was responsible  for getting me the job of curator of the former Blockade Runner Museum in Carolina Beach, N.C. in 1979 and, as it turned out, the last curator of the museum.  When New Hanover County purchased the Blockade Runner Museum's collection and moved it to the Cape Fear Museum in 1983, I decided to attend graduate school and pursue a career as an academic historian.

Death of Paul Morgan Laird, 65: History Buff, Worked at Fort Fisher State Historic Site and Moore's Creek

Paul M. Laird died September 12, 2020.  He was born in 1955 in France and lived in Thailand, Mississippi and later Fayetteville. Receiving a degree in history from UNCW, he had a 22-year career with the Wilmington, N.C., Chamber of Commerce.

Later, he served  the Boys and Girls Homes at Lake Waccamaw, Fort Fisher State Historic Site and the Moore's Creek National Battlefield in Corporate Development.

Paul was passionate about history and had a special interest in the Civil War and American Revolution periods.  He traveled across much of the United States visiting various battlefields and historic sites.  He also traveled to Europe on multiple occasions, visiting castles, museums and historic sites.

Family was the most important thing in Paul's life.  He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Jordan Laird; two sons, Matthew and his spouse , Heather, and Benjamin; brother David, and his spouse, Virginia; and his sister, Lisa Laird, and her spouse, Angela Evans.  He is survived also by his loyal companion, Bastian.

A memorial celebration of his life will be held at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site at a later date.  A very fitting place for it to be held as he did so much for this place as long-time director of the Friends of Fort Fisher.  This group has to be one of the most active Friends groups anywhere in the country because of his efforts.

I was able to meet him and talk to him on several occasions.  I count myself lucky to have done that.

New Book on the Role of USCT at Wilmington's Battle of Forks Road-- Part 3

This new book also briefly covers efforts to preserve the Battle of Forks Road which led to its inclusion in North Carolina's Civil War Trails and the preservation of earthworks from the battle which are on the grounds of what is now the Cameron Art Museum.

The book is dedicated to  to the memory of Sgt.  Fred Johnson, a Korean War veteran and Civil War re-enactor who participated in many  Forks Road anniversary programs and was instrumental in obtaining  the state historical marker  honoring black Forks Road veterans buried at the Wilmington National Cemetery.

The title of the book evokes the memory of the 1989 historical movie about the all-black (except officers) 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment.  It is an apt comparison as black troops at both actions proved they could fight.  However, with the 54th, they were repulsed with heavy losses and at Forks Road, the black troops won.

--Old B-Runner

New Book on the Role of USCT at the Battle of Forks Road, Wilmington, N.C.-- Part 2: The Victory here Was One for the USCT

Author Chris Fonvielle says that the Battle of Forks Road was the victory of the USCT since those two brigades bore the brunt of the fighting and had made the assault on the Confederate trenches and as a result, had suffered the most casualties.

Fonvielle told the story at length in his 1997 book, "The Wilmington Campaign:  Last Rays of Departing Hope.  His "Glory at Wilmington" is a smaller book aimed at general readers, not hardcore Civil War readers.  This new book is issued by Starburst Press, an imprint of Daniel  Ray Norris' SlapDash Publishing and has plenty of maps and lively period illustrations.

One interesting point Mr. Fonvielle made in this book was the case of  two brothers who fought on opposite sides in the war and were at the Wilmington Campaign.  They were Jacob and Lewis Horne who grew up in the Wilmington area, not too far from today's Monkey Junction.  (If you're from Wilmington, you'd know where this area was and why it hot this name.)

Lewis was with the local Confederate Wilmington Horse Artillery  and as they were rushing north to avoid capture, he was able to stop by his mother's and tell her goodbye.  The next day, Jacob, who was a scout for General Terry's Union forces, detoured to also visit Mom.

A Family Reunion of Sorts.   --Old B-Runner

New Book on the Role of USCT at the Battle of Forks Road, Wilmington, N.C., 1865-- Part 1

From the July 25, 2020, Wilmington (NC) Star-News  "Writer dives into 'Glory at Wilmington'by Ben Steelman.

Wilmington native, former UNC-W professor and historian Chris Fonvielle tells the story of U.S. Colored Troops (USCT)role at this battle in the Wilmington area.  I doubt there is anyone who knows more about the Civil War in the Wilmington area during the war than Chris Fonvielle.

The Battle of Forks Road was nowhere as big of a battle as Gettysburg, Shiloh or Bentonville, but it did have ramifications on the fall of Wilmington, North Carolina.

The Battle of Forks Road, just south of Wilmington back then, is also sometimes referred to as Jumpin' Run, after the nearby Jumpin' Run Creek.

It was the Confederate last stand before the fall of Wilmington.  When Confederate General Robert F. Hoke withdrew his troops from those trenches before dawn on February 22, 1865, the fall of the city was set.  Later on during that day, George Washington's birthday, Union General Alfred H. Terry led his troops into the city.

Bringing up the rear of his column were two brigades of United States Colored Troops, black volunteers.  Many had been slaves just a short time earlier and many were from Wilmington and the surrounding area.

The victory at Forks Road was largely to their honor.

--Old B-Runner

Pine Island, Charleston Harbor-- Part 2: Something About Alcohol and the Boaters (Imagine That)

Fort Sumter was the target that ignited the Civil War when Confederates opened fire on it on April 12, 1861.  Today, it is one of the biggest tourist draws in Charleston (despite the $23 or $24 charge to go out to it.  It attracts more than 800,000 people to it and its companion sites at Fort Moultrie and  Castle Pinckney National Historic Site.

"The current use of the beach (Pine Island) includes people consuming alcohol and 'partying' rather than coming to the fort for a historical visit," said Park Superintendent J. Tracy  Stakely in a letter announcing the closure. 

My wife and I were once boaters and can attest to boaters doing stuff like this.

This  move outraged local captain Chris Rabens, of Charlestown Charters, who watched rangers stop his customers after he dropped them off for years at the beach to see the fort.

"They're giving Spiritline Cruises (which runs Fort Sumter Tours) a monopoly.  It hurts my business.  I thinks its an injustice.  I think its unfair," Rabens said.

Imagine Boaters Partying?  --Old B-Runner

Pine Island, Charleston Harbor-- Part 1: No More Visiting Fort Sumter from the Sandbar

I had been writing about Fort Sumter and in the last post about it, mentioned a place near it called Pine island, which is actually a sand bar.  Here is some more information about it.

From the August 6, 2019, Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier "Feds block private boats, drop-in visits to historic Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor" by Bo Peterson Bopete.

You can't visit Fort Sumter for free anymore.  This, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

Rangers at the fort have now put off limits access from the sandbar beach between the fort and James Island, popularly known as Pine Island.  They have stationed themselves at the fort's riprap and turn potential visitors from Pine Island away.

Pine Island itself, is one of the big party areas for weekend boaters and that soon might be closed as well.  As a boater, I know about party sandbars and areas all too well.

This closing of Fort Sumter pulls the plug on one of the local secrets among Charleston's boating community.  And that is that the $23 fee charged by Fort Sumter Tours ferries didn't pay for admission, just the ride.  The fort has always been free to enter.

But, federal managers say that they have had enough of people partying inside the historic structure where alcohol isn't allowed.  They need to step up security, more carefully manage erosion and artifact looting around the deteriorating, nearly 200-year-old historic landmark.

I Wonder If Pine Island/Sandbar Was There During the Civil War?--Old B-Runner

Movements of Blockade Runners September 1864

From the September 24, 1864, New York Times  "Movements of Blockade-Runners."

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Thursday , Sept. 22

The blockade-runners Lady Sterling and Armstrong cleared for Bermuda yesterday.

The blockade-runner Little Hattie, which sailed  a few days since, returned to-day.

Run It In, Run It Our.  --Old B-R'er

Wreck of Blockade Runner Fanny and Jenny-- Part 2: Was It Carrying a Sword for Robert E. Lee?

The Fanny and Jenny's cargo list  had bacon,  coal and liquor aboard it, but legends abound that it also carried a gold sword with inlaid jewels, that was supposed to be presented to General Robert E. Lee, a present from British admirers.

William Keeler, the paymaster of the USS Florida (who was also  on the USS Monitor at the famous battle with the CSS Virginia and the Monitor's sinking) related that he had heard from a sailor that the Fanny and Jenny's captain had been seen carrying a sword off the vessel, but as he was being rowed ashore, the boat was swamped by a wave and the sword lost.

The wrecks of two other blockade runners, the Emily of London and the Dee, are located off Wrightsville Beach between Crystal Pier and the jetty at Masonboro Inlet.  These two have been sanded over and are not  visible on the seabed.

More about the Fanny and Jenny can be found  in  Ray MacAllister's book, "Wrightsville Beach: The Luminous Island."

--Old B-R'er

Wreck of Blockade Runner Fanny and Jenny at Wrightsville Beach-- Part 1

From Sept. 24, 2012, Wilmington (NC) Star-News  "My Reporter":  Is a Civil War blockade runner  sunk off Crystal Pier at Wrightsville Beach?"  Ben Steelman.

The Fanny and Jenny, sunk February 10, 1864, while on its first run through the blockade.  Its engines used to be visible at low tide.

Crystal Pier at the Oceanic Restaurant, was deliberately built over the Fanny and Jenny wreck, according to Mark Wilde-Ramsing of the N.C. Underwater Archaeology Branch at Fort Fisher.  Blockade runner wrecks are valued  as exceptionally good fishing spots.

Builders dynamited part of the wreck in 1938, while extending the length of the pier to 901 feet, according to Chris Fonvielle of the UNC_Wilmington.  (Hurricanes have sheered off much of the pier since then.)  Divers excavated a number of artifacts from the wreck in the 1960s, including the ship's anchor, which was displayed on shore.

--Old B-Runner

Other "Devils"

I am still getting the information from To the Sound Of Guns Blog.

But, the Charleston "Devil" is not the only remaining raft of Ericsson's.    Three years after the Civil War, a strange raft drifted close to Bermuda and was pulled to shore.  Later, the raft was identified as one of Ericsson's.  A report indicates that it was surveyed as late as 1965.

Had it drifted all the way there?

And, there is another potential Ericsson raft in Texas.  In 1980, Hurricane  Allen uncovered remains that matched the particulars of Ericsson's design on Mustang Beach.  But, apparently there is some room for debate about the identification of the wreck.

That "Devil" Ericsson.  --Old B-Runner

Where Was This Photo Taken?-- Part 4: Walking Over From Pine Island Sandbar

 **  Before 2019, some locals had found a way to visit the fort without paying the $24 fee normally required of visiting the site.

**  Unbeknownst to most  visitors, there is technically no cost to enter Fort Sumter itself.  Instead, the fee is to cover the ferry service to and from the fort.

**  It turns out that a short distance from Fort Sumter is a sandbar, popularly known as "Pine Island" by weekend -party boaters.  Some locals would anchor the boat off the sandbar, and take the short walk through the shallow waters to Fort Sumter island.

**  But in 2019, the National Park Service (NPS) officially closed access to the fort from the  sandbar beach in an attempt to limit overcrowding and  the number of inebriated guests who visit the national monument.

**  It seems that the NPS can really be a party-pooper.

--Old B-Runner

Where Was This Photo Taken-- Part 3: Built On An Artificial Island

 One of the people who correctly identified the photo was Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas.  he gave some more information of Fort Sumter, both then and now:

**  The mystery photo is of the boat dock at Fort Sumter that was built by the U.S. Army on an artificial island at the entrance to Charleston Harbor in 1829.

**  Construction of the fort began after the War of 1812 in recognition of the importance of protecting Charleston.

**  The fort was still under construction when the first battle took place there on April 12, 1861, when the South Carolina Militia Artillery Division (the Confederate Army did not yet exist) fired in the Union garrison at the fort, officially starting the war.

**  Arrival at this dock is currently the only way that visitors can embark on an official tour of Fort Sumter.

**  Only one company named Fort Sumter Tours,  is permitted to run the ferries that shuttle visitors to/from the island via Downtown Charleston at Liberty Square or from across the harbor at Patriot's Point.

--Old B-Runner

Where Was This Photo Taken?-- Part 2

This was from the September 8, 2020, Charleston Currents "Mystery Photo."

It was from the August 31, 2020 photo "Dock scene you may recognize."

It should look familiar to you if you have ever been to Fort Sumter.  It shows the Charleston, S.C., skyline across from the fort's dock.  This is what you'd see getting off the tour boat.

Fifteen people knew the answer.

Did you?

I had seen the answer in the article, so disallowed myself a guess.  I don't know if I could have guessed it anyway.  The only time I was ever there was in the early 1960s.

--Old B-Runner

Remembering the Events of September 11, 2001

 I was with a friend who installing a battery in my '85 Firebird today which is why all these posts about 9-11 are coming in this late.  Now, you wouldn't think installing a battery was a problem, but not my battery.  This was the battery from hell.

What Dennis believed to be a five-ten minute effort, ended up as a two and a half hour lesson in futility.  He worked and worked, but to no avail.  Those bolts and nuts just would not budge.  We finally ended up going to O'Reilly's to get a battery that was designed for am '85 Firebird.  

Dennis and his brother Al and Vince are undertaking an effort to make that Firebird presentable.

I remember September 11, 2001, as being just three days before my mother's birthday which always remind me to send her a present.

I was teaching one of my 7th grade classes at John T. Magee Middle School in Round Lake, Illinois, when another teacher told me what had happened.  This was all we did in every one of my classes after that.  I knew that this was going to be one of those Pearl Harbor, JFK assassination events that people will be remembering for many years afterwards.

I wanted to make sure my students got the full experience.

Where Was This Photo Taken?-- Part 1

Did anyone guess where this place next to this entry was located?

But, here are some clues.  

**  It shows a dock leading up to a masonry brick fort with water and a city in the background on what appears to be an island perhaps.

**  The commander of the Confederates was P.G.T. Beauregard and my favorite Confederate general, W.H.C. Whiting, was also here at the battle.

**  It is in a former Confederate state (Sorry BLM).

**  Action here is regarded as the start of the Civil War.

**  There was a huge bombardment here in 1861, but no Union soldiers were killed until after the surrender, when a cannon blew up when they were firing a salute.

**  Major Robert Anderson was in charge of the Union force.

**  It was bombarded into ruins by Union ships later in the war.

You probably have the right answer by now.  

--Old B-Runner

Mackinaw's Dahlgren Cannons-- Part 3: USS Hartford Commissioned in 1859, Decommissioned in 1926, Sank in 1956

 By the end of the Civil War, a battery of 26 nine-inch Dahlgrens were on the deck of the USS Hartford.  The Hartford was a steam sloop of war with a top speed of approximately 13.5 knots when both steam and sail were used.

Commissioned  27 May 1859 and decommissioned  20 August 1920, making it one of the oldest Civil War ships to serve.  It was 225 feet long with a 44 foot beam and had a complement of 310 officers and men.  It was decommissioned on 20 August 1926.

Sadly, after decommissioning, she was classified as a relic, towed to Norfolk Navy Yard where she deteriorated and eventually sank at her berth on 20 November  1956.  So sad.  This would have been a great ship to keep with its Farragut history from the Battle of Mobile Bay.

You Know, "Damn the Torpedoes...."  --Old B-Runner

Mackinaw's Dahlgren Cannons-- Part 2: "It Was Almost As Dangerous to Shoot As To Be Shot At"

 The Iron Marsilly carriage was much more durable and safer than wooden carriages to hold the cannons.  Wooden ones were often made of elm wood and  would splinter if his by an enemy shell.  Wounds from these wooden splinters were serious and even fatal for Union gun crews.

Also a danger from Civil War cannons was the possibility of them bursting when fired.  Crews always feared their guns bursting almost more than taking a hit from enemy fire.  It was almost as dangerous to shoot as to be shot at.  No Dahlgren big gun, not the  nine inch or fifteen inch, every burst, even when firing with a full charge.  Quite a few Union Parrott 100-pounders blew up during the bombardments of Fort Fisher.

Appropriately, Mackinaw's three Civil War Dahlgren guns face the waters of the Straits of Mackinac.  Each cannon weighs  approximately 9800 pounds, two or three times the weight of a car.  On the end of the right trunnion is the date in which the cannon was  cast, i.e. 1863; on the left trunnion  is the letter "P" for "proved" with the inspector's initials, i.e., "W.R.T." for William Rogers Taylor.

I looked William Rogers Taylor up and found that he eventually became an admiral in the Navy and had commanded the USS Juanita at the battles of Fort Fisher.  That really makes him an object of interest for me, of course.

--Old B-Runner

Mackinaw's Dahlgren Cannons-- Part 1: The Guns That Won the Civil War

 From HMDB  On the Mackinaw City Historical Parkway.

Inscription:  During the Civil War and after the Battle of Mobile Bay, naval historians called this gun, the 9-inch Dahlgren, the gun "that won the Civil War."  We are very lucky to have three relics  from the Civil War here in Mackinaw City, Michigan.  Three guns on our Marina Lawn came from the most famous ship in the Union Navy, the USS Hartford.

The nine-inch refers to the diameter o the muzzle and the size of the  ammunition the Dahlgren could fire.  Shooting this gun took an officer, loaders, spongers, rammers, tackle men, 16 in all, plus one powder monkey, usually a young boy, or each broadside gun.

Aiming such a large gun from the deck of an unstable ship took practice;  guns were often fired at the instant the roll of the ship brought the target into line.  The large metal loops on the cannon were for the strong ropes used for running the guns out and checking the length of recoil when the gun was fired.

--Old B-Runner

Another USS Minnesota Cannon

While trying to find out more about the USS Minnesota cannon that was in the cemetery in Battle Creek, Michigan, I came across this cannon.

From HMDB  "Cannon"

Located in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Inscription:  "This nine inch Dahlgren cannon  was placed here to mark the colonial approach to town from the ferry landing and was dedicated on July 5, 1907.

The gun is on loan to the Borough of New Hope from the US Navy.  It was cast   in 1855 at the West  Point  Foundry and installed  on the USS Minnesota where it saw action at the Battle of Hampton Roads between the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (Merrimack) on March 9, 1862.

Years later it was installed on the USS Richmond which saw action with Admiral Farragut's fleet.

It was fired 108 times as of September 1888."

The marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Ferry Street.

--Old B-Runner