Sugar Loaf Civil War Earthworks-- Part 1: Wilmington, 'The Lifeline of the Confederacy'

From the March 24, 2014, Federal Point  Historic Preservation Society by Chris E. Fonvielle.

As we know, the Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Civil War Park is now a real thing after a whole lot of work.  Congratulations to all involved in the arduous effort.

The Sugar Loaf  earthworks served as an auxiliary line of defense for Fort Fisher, about four miles to the south of them.  Fort Fisher was built to protect the Confederate port of Wilmington, North Carolina, a haven for blockade runners bringing in supplies to the new country.

Over 100 of them operated in and out of Wilmington alone.  With the exception of Charleston, S.C., Wilmington became the most heavily fortified city along the Atlantic Coast.  Wilmington became so important to the South that it became known as "The Lifeline of the Confederacy."

In late 1864, even Gen. Robert E. Lee warned, "If Wilmington falls , I cannot maintain my army."

--Old B-Runner

Battle of Sugar Loaf Line-- Part 5: Decision Made Not to Attack It

By late afternoon, Schofield and Terry had overrun the Confederate skirmish line but then concluded that the main Confederate line along Sugar Loaf was too strong to be captured by frontal assault

It was decided that Wilmington would have to be captured from the western side of the Cape Fear River.

Major General Jacob  D. Cox's 3rd Division, XXIIIrd Corps was ferried to the west bank of the Cape Fear River to attack Fort Anderson, the main fortress guarding Wilmington on that side of the river.

--Old B-Runner

Military Activity at Fort Fisher This Weekend

From the Feb. 26, 2021, News 12 ABC Wilmington, N.C.) "Military training this weekend  in Kure Beach" by Annette Weston.

There will be a lot of  activity at the Fort Fisher National Guard Training Center in Kure Beach this weekend.  The training center is located just north of Fort Fisher in the Fort Fisher U.S. Air Force Recreation Area.

The Marines and Sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary  Unit based at Camp Lejeune will be doing  training during the day as part of their regular-scheduled training before  they deploy overseas.

The training will take place  in the grass field south of the RV park.

Officials say people in the area could see military aircraft flying overhead and  around 150 Marine Corps personnel in uniform and 100 Marines role-playing in Middle Eastern attire or civilian clothing.

--Old Jarhead

The Battle of Sugar Loaf Line-- Part 4: One of Three Battles to Take Wilmington

The Battle of Sugar Loaf Line was part of three major thrusts by Union forces in the overall campaign to capture Wilmington, North Carolina.  Fort Fisher fell on January 15, 1865, but Wilmington, about 22 miles upriver, held out until February 22.

A Confederate division under Major General Robert Hoke occupied the Sugar Loaf Line, just south of today's Snow's Cut where the bridge crosses over the cut.  Snow's Cut is part of the Intercoastal Waterway and connects the Cape Fear River with Myrtle Sound.  It was completed in 1931.

On February 11, Schofield attacked the Sugar Loaf Line with Alfred Terry's Corps.  The engagement started in the morning  with a bombardment from the Atlantic Ocean side of the line by Union gunboats.  A half hour later, Terry started his advance, but his left wind was  hindered by a swamp located along the river.

--Old B-Runner

Nine USCT Regiments Opposite the Sugar Loaf Line After Fort Fisher

I honor of Black History Month, I would like to point out that there were nine black regiments of the United States Colored Troops opposing the Confederate along the Sugar Loaf Line in February 1865.

These would be the troops of Wright and A. Ames as shown on the map of the Sugar Loaf battle.

They were under the overall command of  Brigadier General Charles J. Paine of the XXV Corps.

Wright's troops were the 3rd Brigade under Elias Wright and consisted of the 1st, 5th, 10th, 27th and 37th USCT.

A. Ame's troops were the 2nd Brigade of John J. Ames and consisted of the 4th, 6th, 30th and 39th USCT.

There was also a white brigade along the line commanded by Joseph C. Abbott of the XXIV Corps, 1st Division.

Playing a Major Role.  --Old M-Runner

The Battle of Sugar Loaf Line-- Part 3: The Move on Goldsboro Goes Through Wilmington

The Union general-in-chief of the Union war effort at this point was U.S. Grant.  he wanted to use Wilmington as a base for an advance on Goldsboro, North Carolina.

Railroad lines from the coast and, of course, the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad (which ran from Wilmington to Goldsboro), could be used to resupply the Army of William T. Sherman as it moved through the Carolinas heading for Goldsboro.

In February 1865, the Union XXIII arrived from Tennessee to reinforce the Fort Fisher Expeditionary Corps commanded by Major General Alfred H. Terry.

Major General John M. Schofield took command of the combined force and started moving toward Wilmington in mid-February.

--Old B-R'er

The Battle of Sugar Loaf Line (Wilmington Campaign)-- Part 2: Gen. Hoke at Sugar Loaf and Bragg at Wilmington

After the fall of Fort Fisher, Wilmington was closed as a haven for blockade runners.  There would be no further runs in or out of that port city.  This closed the Confederacy to the world as they had no more Atlantic ports.

The Confederates evacuated the other defensive positions along the Cape Fear River.

While the Confederate defeat at Fort Fisher the previous month had affected morale somewhat and led to an increase in desertion, the remaining soldiers reported morale to be quite high.

General Bragg commanded the defenses of Wilmington.  His field forces were Robert Hoke's division from the Army of Northern Virginia and some artillerymen from the abandoned Confederate defense in the lower river and some home guard.

Hoke commanded three of his brigades on the east side of the Cape Fear River along the Sugar Loaf Line north of Fort Fisher.  His fourth brigade occupied Fort Anderson on the west side of the river.

Bragg remained in Wilmington in order to oversee the removal of the government stockpile supplies and stores and also to prevent Union forces on the coast from reinforcing Union General Sherman as he marched through the Carolinas with his army.

--Old B-Runner

The Battle of Sugar Loaf Line in the Wilmington Campaign-- Part 1

From Wikipedia:  The Battle of Wilmington.

The Battle of Wilmington, North Carolina, was fought February 11-22, 1865, mostly south of the city of Wilmington.  The union victory at the second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, meant that Wilmington, 30 miles up the Cape Fear River, could no longer be used as the Confederacy's last major contact with the outside world.

However, there was still lots o supplies in the city that needed to get sent to Lee's Army in Virginia.  What was necessary was a delaying action for as long as possible.

The action essentially revolved around three theaters, with the Sugar Loaf Line (part of which can now be seen at the Joseph Ryder Lewis, Jr. Civil War Park in Carolina Beach, North Carolina) being the first.

The Confederates were fortunate in that the Union forces did not follow up immediately on the offensive after the fall of Fort Fisher.  Even so, when Braxton Bragg withdrew from Wilmington over a month later, there were still large amounts of tobacco, cotton, equipment and military supplies that had to be destroyed.

--Old B-Runner

How the Joseph Ryder Lewis Park Came to Be-- Part 3: Part of a Master Plan

The site, which includes approximately 150 yards of Civil War earthworks, has been carefully cleared by a total of 26 volunteers working in excess of 450 hours.  An existing map delineating the site has been secured and an update on the wetlands is forthcoming.

The committee is now working with Erik Jelinsky, Carolina Beach Parks and Recreation Director, to provide a park site plan with trails and other park features as well as interpretive signage.  He is currently updating the Carolina Beach and Parks and Recreation Master Plan (20160-2021) and hopes to include  the project  for possible additional support.

Interest in  the proposed Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr.  Park is growing as the work progresses.

You Can Never Have Too Many Historical Parks.  --Old B-Runner

How the Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Park Came to Be-- Part 2: A Very Hands-On Project

A supervised work began clearing the brush, committee members and history professor Chris E. Fonvielle Jr of UNCW, provided a comprehensive plan  research document that determined the site to be a part of the Sugar Loaf Line of Civil War earthworks built across Federal Point Peninsula in late 1864 to provide communication and a  backup line for the defense of Wilmington in case Fort Fisher )at the tip of Federal Point) fell to Union forces.

Over the past two years,  seven planning sessions and numerous  informal meetings were held at  the History Center and at the site.  Brush removal was tedious   as it was done by hand and carried by hand some distance before it was removed by city heavy equipment.

--Old B-R'er

How the Joseph Ryder Lewis Park Came to Be-- Part 1

From the May 19, 2015, Island Gazette "Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Civil War Park."

On May 7, 2013,  a group of individuals from all over New Hanover County met at the Federal Point History Center to discuss preservation of earthworks known to be located  on property owned by the Town of Carolina Beach, N.C., by Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr.

The property covers about 12 acres near the Federal Point Shopping Center on U.S. Highway 421.

A committee was formed consisting of  local professional historians, Civil War scholars, archaeologists, town officials, members of the Federal Point  Historical Preservation Society, interested citizens and three members of the Joseph Ryder Lewis family.

Goals were set to document historic features and its significance to Civil War history, accurately locate the site on a map, determine proper means of preservation, and explore  the utilization of the site as an interpretation, educational and recreation park.  Also plans were developed to properly remove overgrowth on the site without damaging the integrity of the site.

--Old B-Runner

Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Park--Part 6: How the Park Came to Be

Chris Fonvielle  led the research into the site, documenting its history  on six informational panels that have been placed throughout the park. Daniel Ray Norris of Slapdash Publishing  worked with Fonvielle to design and develop the panels.

Henson said Lewis Jr. considered giving the land directly to the Federal Point Historical Society, but knew it was clear  the by-the-bootstraps society didn't have the financial resources to make the park happen.

Instead, the town took on  the responsibility of Lewis Jr's vision with the society's assistance.  In total, Pierce said, the town contributed $120,000 to construct the wooden bridge and complete grading and land clearing.

"I'm so excited to have this open green space in the middle of all the town's development," she said.  "Not many towns own their own park.  Other than the boardwalk, this is something we can own and it's beautiful."

Although some will likely take issue with the designation of the park as a Civil War site in today's hyper-vigilance of that era's history, Henson said the park's purpose-- and Lewis Jr.'s intention -- is to preserve history so it survives for others to tell  the stories today and tomorrow.

"This is a very long time coming  for us and for him," she said.    "This was the way he wanted the land used."

--Old B-R'er

Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Park-- Part 5: The Importance of Fort Fisher and Wilmington to the Confederacy

Local historian, author of many books about the local Civil War history and historical preservation society member Chris E. Fonvielle Jr. said the park  includes some of the most intact and substantial Sugar Loaf  earthworks still existing.

The Sugar Loaf Line of earthworks  came into play as the Union closed in on taking Fort Fisher and eventually Wilmington, one of the South's last remaining seaports for supplies in the waning years of the war.

"When the seriousness of the threat to Wilmington became real, General William Whiting (Commander of the Department of the Cape Fear) decided to build this auxiliary line north of Fort Fisher so there would be troops ready to contest any landing by Federal troops," Fonvielle said.

Fighting that occurred along the Sugar Loaf Line would lead directly to the fall of Wilmington in February 1865 and featured the involvement of the United States Colored Troops.

--Old B-Runner

Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Civil War Park-- Part 4: The Problem With the New Woke Cancel Culture Folks

Carolina Beach Mayor LeAnn Pierce said there were discussions about tying the new park to the Civil War in name over concerns that  it might overshadow its preservation mission.

Ultimately, the town wanted to honor Mr. Lewis Jr. and his family's wish to not hide from the site's Civil War history but rather embrace it it as an educational opportunity.

"My stance is, and I know that everyone might not agree, is that if we erase history, how are we going to teach future generations about it?" Pierce said.  "With this park, future generations can actually see this history in person and learn from it.  There is so much history here."

Over the years, the town flirted with the idea of using the property for other projects, but the historical society and Lewis family held officials to the agreement on the park.

"Seeing this park opening  is knowing that his dream has come true," Henson said.

--Old B-Runner

Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Civil War Park-- Part 3: The Sugar Loaf Line

Much of the Confederate Sugar Loaf Line of earthwork defenses-- a mile-long, man-made defensive structure begun in 1864 that stretched from the Sugar Loaf sand dune in Carolina Beach State Park along the Cape Fear River, has been flattened by progress over the years since then.

Ensuring that this did not happen to his part of the defensive line was always in Mr. Lewis' plans.

"He loved Federal Point (the name of the peninsula stretching southward from the Snow's Cut Bridge), he loved out historical society and he loved the area's history'" said Elaine Henson, president of the society.  "He knew the earthworks were there and he wouldn't disturb them for anything.  He gave it to the town to protect because he knew  they could make a park of historical significance out of it."

That process, however, has been fraught with delays and more recently, the national reckoning with the very history that gives the park its importance.

--Old B-R'er

Joseph Lewis Ryder Jr. Civil War Park-- Part 2

 Before Lewis Jr's passing at age 84 in 2010, the lifelong Carolina Beach resident, US Army veteran and member of the Federal Point Historical Preservation Society (I also belong to it) bequeathed  the 10-acre patch of land to the town on the condition that it be turned into a park that preserved and highlighted the site's significance to the Confederacy in late 1864 and early 1865 when Union forces attacked Fort Fisher, several miles to the south of the park.

Today, the park includes a new bridge constructed over marshy land and connecting guests from the parking area to the preserved area that includes part of the Confederate Sugar Loaf Line earthworks.

The site isn't easy to find, though.

It sits behind a swath of commercial development on Carolina Beach Road (US Highway 421) that includes Dollar General and an ABC (alcohol) Store.  It is also beside the new Publix Grocery Store with which it shares its parking lot entrance.

--Old B-Runner

New Civil War Park Dedicated in Carolina Beach, N.C.-- Part 1: Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr Civil War Park

From the Feb. 10, 2021,Wilmington (N.C.) Star-News "Carolina Beach fulfills wish of late resident with opening of new Civil War Park" by Hunter Ingram.

After more than eight years of work and preparation, Carolina Beach (North Carolina) will unveil the new Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Civil War park this week.

It is located in a rapidly developing portion of Federal Point, a piece of land rooted in Civil War history is now to be forever preserved.

Yesterday, Thursday, the town of Carolina Beach and the Federal Point Preservation Society unveiled the new park built on land donated by its namesake.  It features earthworks manned by Confederates  during the waning days of the Civil War called the Sugar Loaf Line.

--Old B-Runner

Enslaved Workers Left Marks on Fort Pulaski-- Part 1

From the Feb. 9, 2021, Kansas City Star "Enslaved workers left their marks in the bricks of Civil War-era fort, Georgia photos show" by Tanasia Kenney

Nearly 25 million brocks were used to construct Savannah, Georgia's Fort Pulaski which was mostly built by black enslaved workers.

Photos shared  by the Fort Pulaski National Monument on Monday show bricks with fingerprints and handprints still embedded in them all these years later (and, after that bombardment back during the war).

It took 18 years to complete Fort Pulaski and none other than Robert E. Lee touted it was impregnable.  However, the stories of those enslaved workers have never been told.  However, there is a part of that story in Casemate 16.

--Old B-Runner

The Other George F. Winslow (Not the One on the USS Marblehead)-- Part 1

As I said before, when I was writing about the action of the USS Marblehead in the Stono River in South Carolina at the Battle of Legareville on Christmas Day 1863, I came across the name of a Union officer named George F. Winslow, who received recognition for his actions that day from his commanding officer, Richard Worsam Meade III.

I decided to find out if I could find out any more about this man.  Especially since that last name, Winslow, is well known in Civil War narratives because of an officer named John Winslow, who commanded the USS Kearsarge in its famous fight with the CSS Alabama off Cherbourg, France.  Could this Winslow be related?

(Well, then also there was that Richard Worsam Meade III, with that famous last name.  I wonder?)

Let's find out.

The first thing I found was that there were two Union Naval officers named George F. Winslow.  That kind of complicated things.  

However, one was also a surgeon who had a long career in the service.  This one, however, was never listed as being on the USS Marblehead.

Famous Last Names All Over the Place.  --Old B-Runner

159 Years Ago Today, the Beginning of the Battle of Roanoke Island

From the February 4, 2021, Chowan (NC) Herald  "Week in NC  history."

The Battle of Roanoke Island commenced this date, February 7, 1862, Federal ships began bombarding Fort Bartow, part of Confederate defenses on Roanoke Island.  One of three earthen forts on the west side of the island, Fort Bartow mounted nine cannons.  The other two garrisons on the island were at Fort Huger and Fort Blanchard.

The three forts were designed to protect the mainland of North Carolina from invasion and complement obstructions placed in the channel on that side of the island.  Of the three forts, Fort Bartow was the only one to be actively engaged in the action in what became known as the Battle of Roanoke Island.

The first shot of the battle was fired from Bartow's guns and the fort was subsequently bombarded by the Union fleet for seven hours.

The Confederate fleet, under the command of Captain W.F. Lynch, waited to engage the enemy ships on the other side of the obstructions placed on Croatoan Sound.

However, the Confederates, after the sharp engagement, were forced to withdraw for lack of ammunition.

The next day, the Union Army was victorious in the Battle of Roanoke Island, which gave the Federals control of the sound area of North Carolina.

--Old B-Runner

George F. Winslow of the USS Marblehead-- Part 2: Also Saw Service in the Spanish-American War

Them other George F. Winslow was probably the one from the Marblehead.

GEORGE F. WINSLOW

Mate 25 January 1863

Acting Ensign 23 May 1863

Acting Master  14 January 1864  (Perhaps for his gallantry at the Battle of Legareville on December 25, 1863?)

Honorably Discharged  5 January 1868

Lieutenant Spanish-American War 12 July 1898

Honorably Discharged 26 November 1898

So, he was a veteran of both the Civil War and the Spanish-American War.  I did not find any relation with John Ancrum Winslow, the hero of the CSS Alabama battle.

This was all I could find on him.

--Old B-R'er

George F. Winslow of the USS Marblehead-- Part 1: There Were Two George F. Winslows in the Union Navy

I wrote about this officer in my Battle of Legareville-- Part 3 post.  With the last name of Winslow, I was wondering if he  might be some relation to John Ancrum Winslow who commanded the USS Kearsarge in is fight with the CSS Alabama, so had to look him up.

I only found one mention of him in the U.S. Navy Officers 1798 to 1900

There were two Civil War-era George F. Winslows listed a naval officers.

The second one was:

Acting Asst. Surgeon 26 July 1862

Asst. Surgeon  28 May 1864

Passed Asst. Surgeon  14 June 1867

Surgeon  2 April 1875

Medical Inspector   21 August 1893

Medical Director  23 January 1898

This one was probably not the one from the USS Marblehead.

He has a carte de visit online at the Library of Congress taken while an assistant surgeon.

It says he was son of Captain Giles H. Winslow.  Served on steamer Morse 1863 and Osceola in 1864.  The USS Osceola took part in the attacks on Fort Fisher.

So, I Might Just Have a Fort Fisher Connection.  --Old B-Runner