North Carolina's Fort Macon-- Part 2: Guarding Beaufort

The War of 1812 revealed how defenseless the United States coast was so construction of Fort Macon began in 1826.  The Army Corps of Engineers built it over eight years according to General Simon Bernard's design.  It was named for Nathaniel Macon, an important North Carolinian of the time.

Beaufort had been attacked several times over the previous years.  The first time was by Tuscarora Indians, then Blackbeard and in August 26, 1747, by Spanish privateers.  During the American Revolution, the British attacked in 1782 and during the War of 1812, British ships would demand supplies from the town.

There had been a previous small fort at the site, but it was washed away by a hurricane in 1825.

Fort Macon was a five-sided star fort built of brick and stone.  Its outer walls were 4.5 feet thick.

It was leased by the U.S. government from the state during World War II.  It became North Carolina's second state park in 1926 (Mt. Mitchell was the first one).  The park consists of 424 acres.

--Old B-R'er

North Carolina's Fort Macon-- Part 1

From the February 16, 2016, Coastak review Online "Our Coast:  Fort Macon and Elliott Coues" by Jared Lloyd.

On April 23, 1862, Fort Macon surrendered to Major General Ambrose Burnside after a less-than 24-hour battle, then began a months-long ordeal trying to get the Confederate troops there to vacate the premises.  (I am unaware of the problems getting them to leave and have done a little more research and found no mention of them not leaving.)

Fort Macon guarded Beaufort Inlet which led to the Beaufort, North Carolina's only deep water port.

Four hundred Confederates surrendered and it was in Union hands for the rest of the war  Beaufort became the major coaling and provisioning base for the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for the war's duration.

Sixty years later, the fort and surrounding land became one of North Carolina's first state parks.

--Old B-Runner