CAM's 60th Anniversary & First USCT Park-- Part 2: Naming the Battle

Said Chris Fonvielle after his research and excavating of the grounds of the Cameron Art Museum (CAM) in Wilmington, N.C., "It convinced me that a firefight had taken place there, but I found no documentary evidence to support the archaeological record."

He began focusing his studies on the battle, piecing together information and eventually giving it a new name.

"Scarce Confederate correspondence from the battleground was postmarked Cross-Roads and Forks Road, as an intersection of the Federal Point Road.  A byroad  that ran towards the Cape Fear River stood about where you enter the Cameron Art Museum's parking lot today," he explained.  "I thought the Battle of Forks Road had a nicer ring to it."

Fonvielle wrote about his discoveries in 2007's "Last Stand at Wilmington:  The Battle of Forks Road."

His research has caused CAM staff for years to embrace the story.  They have hosted living history days with reenactors, but this next step, starting a park devotedb to the United States Colored Troops (USCT) takes the story even further.

--Old B-Runner

CAM Celebrates 60th Anniversary and Opens Nation's First USCT Park to Honor Black Soldiers

From the November 12, 2022, Port City Daily, Wilmington, N.C., by She Carver.

Lights dot the area between tall pine trees near the 2,500 pound sculpture "Boundless" created by Durham artist Stephen Hayes which was installed on Federal Point Road last year.  The sculpture memorializes 11 men and a drummer boy on a place where 1,800 black USCT soldiers fought for their freedom more than 150 years ago during the closing days of the Civil War.

This historic site will be  christened as the nation's first USCT (United States Colored Troops) this weekend.  CAM (Cameron Art Museum)  is hosting a community day Sunday, welcoming locals to explore the park and all museum exhibits are free.

Roughly 250 feet from the museum's front door, the park is situated where the Battle of Forks  Road took place, which sealed the fate of Wilmington, North Carolina in the month after Fort Fisher fell.

Since 1980, local historian Chris Fonvielle has studied the grounds where CAM is located -- excavating  rathworks, bullets, cannonball fragments, military uniform  buttons and other relics.

--Old B-Runner

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Walking the Sugar Loaf Line With Chris Fonvielle-- Part 2

This is your chance to discover the Civil War ruins which stretch across from Myrtle Grove Sound by the Atlantic Ocean to the Cape Fear River just to the south of today's Snow's Cut Bridge.  Dr. Fonveille will lead the group across that line pointing out what remains of this formidable line of defense.

It was built by Confederates near the end of 1864 in anticipation of a Union attack on Fort Fisher, about four miles to the south of the line.

On January 19, 1865, Union forces from the now-captured Fort Fisher, including Col. John W. Ames' regiments of the United States Colored Troops, attacked  the line and were unable to break it.  On February 11, 1865, an even bigger assault was made with black soldiers again playing a big role.

This became known as the Battle of Sugar Loaf and Confederae defenses again proved to difficult to breach.

Unable to break through, the federals transferred their efforts to proceed to Wilmington to the west side of the Cape Fear River where they attacked and capture Fort Anderson, directly across the river from Sugar Loaf,  on February 19.

With Union ships now able to attack the Sugar Loaf line from the rear, it to was abandoned.  Wilmington fell three days later, on February 22.

--Old B-Runner

Walking the Sugar Loaf Line of Defense with Chris Fonveile-- Part 1

From the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society March 2020 Newsletter.

Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

This probably will be cancelled, if not already.

Saturday March 21  from 2 pm to 4 pm.

$10 donation requested.

Limited to 30 people.

This walk takes place most springs and is led by the #1 person in Wilmington, N.C., and Fort Fisher Civil War history, Chris Fonveille, author of many books and articles on the subject.

I was hoping to go on it this year, but not now.  Maybe next year.

As I expected, it was cancelled because of you-know-what.

--Old B-Runner

Big To Do at the Fort This Weekend, Fort Fisher, N.C.-- Part 3

Continuing with the events of January 18, 2010.

1:00 PM--  Battle Scenario around Shepherd's Battery.  This is the major re-enactment of the Battle of Fort Fisher.  There will be some 400 re-enactors involved.  The fort was taken traverse  by traverse.

2:30 PM--  Presentation by Bernard George:  "United States Colored Troops in the Cape Fear."

**  Junior Reserves "Signal Flags" in the Living History area.

**  Above the Scenes Tour (Requires ticket and limited to 25 participants.)  Led by Chris Fonvielle.

**  Torpedo demonstration in the Living History Area.

3:00 PM--  Free guided tour of the fort

5:00 PM--  Visitor Center closes.

--Old B-RunnerWouldSureLikeToBeThere

Big To Do at the Fort This Weekend, Fort Fisher's 155th Anniversary-- Part 2

Events Saturday, January 18, 2020:

9:00 AM--  Visitors Center opens.

***********

10:00 AM--  Music by the Huckleberry Brothers in the E. Gehrig Spencer Theater and throughout the day at various spots.

Ray Flowers will speak in the Speakers' Tent about "Stories from the Garrison."

Torpedo demonstration in the Living History area.

***********

10:30 AM--  Junior Reserves  "School of the Soldier"  in the Living History Area.  (Children)

************

11:00 AM--  Infantry Demonstration at Shepherd's Battery

Free guided tour if the fort.

*************

11:30 AM--  Above the Scenes Tour (requires a ticket); limited to 25 participants.  Led by Dr. Chris Fonvielle, "Desperate Bravery and Brilliant Valor."

And, There's Much More.  --Old B-Runner

Confederate Troops Stationed By Masonboro Sound-- Part 1

Since I wrote about action by Masonboro Inlet and Sound yesterday, here is some more information about the area.

From the November 12, 2012 Wilmington (NC) Star-News  "My Reporter:  How Many Troops were stationed in the Masonboro Sound area during the Civil Wart" by Si Cantwell.

According to Wilmington in the Civil War expert Chris Fonvielle, it is impossible to know exactly how many Confederates were stationed there.  Records do not exist to answer that.  Some itineraries for Confederate units do document stations in the Masonboro Sound area but do not tell how many soldier there were.

Two Confederate encampment sites have been located at Masonboro Sound.  One large early war one was Camp Hedrick at the headwaters of Hewlett's Creek and there was a small picket camp  at Grainger's Point.

There might have been others, but their locations have been long lost to time and present-day development.

--Old B-Runner

This Weekend At the Fort: Fort Fisher, July 12-13: Attention Cannoneers and

JUNIOR RESERVES  Friday July 12 10 am to 2 pm.

Kid-friendly family activity using the site's 12-pdr. Napoleon cannon, costumed interpreters will be on hand to explain artillery drill.  Participants will get the chance to fire water balloons at blockading  ships to keep New Inlet open.

BEAT THE HEAT LECTURE   Saturday, July 13   2 pm.

Noted Civil War author Chris Fonvielle will present "Running the Blockade:  The Technology and the Men of the Lifeline of the Confederacy."  Between 1861 and 1965, thousands of tons of  materials were brought into the port of Wilmington, which Fort Fisher guarded.

Ship design and stories of the men will be discussed.

These events are put on by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the towns of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach.

Running the Blockade, Hey That's My Blog!!!   --Old B-Runner

Chris Fonvielle Presentation Tonight for the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society

From the Federal Point  Historic Preservation Society (FPHPS) Newsletter.

I belong to this fine organization and sure would like to be there, but something about a 1200 mile distance prevents it.

The May Meeting of the FPHPS will be held tonight, May 20 at 7:30 PM.  It will be held at the federal Point History Center, 1121-A North Lake Park Blvd., next to the Carolina Beach (NC) Town Hall.

This month the presentation will by noted Wilmington area Civil War expert Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr., who will be talking about "Sugar Loaf and the Battle for Wilmington, NC, 1865."  We will learn about the Confederate defenses at Sugar Loaf and Union efforts to overrun them after the capture of Fort Fisher and the capture Wilmington, N.C..

Like I Said, I Really Would Love To Be  There.  --Old B-Runner

Chris Fonvielle's Doing Some Fort Fisher Talking

Now that he is retired from being a history professor at University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Dr. Fonvielle is sure doing a lot of talking.  And, when it comes to the Civil War history of the Wilmington area, I know of no one more knowledgeable or qualified.

Today, May 18, he will be giving a talk on "Fort Fisher 1865:  The Photography of Timothy O'Sullivan" at a Friends of Fort Fisher fundraiser at the fort.  He has written a book on these photographs.  I was impressed when he was with the Blockade Runner Museum back in the early 1980s and he had a complete set of the photographs of O'Sullivan.

Afterwards there will be a walking tour of the remaining sites Mr. O'Sullivan photographed back in 1965.  The talk begins at 10 a.m., EDST at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site at Kure Beach, N.C..

Then, Monday, May 20, he will make a presentation on the Battle of Sugar Loaf, January 19 and February 11, 1865, at the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society at Carolina Beach, N.C..  Sugar Loaf was a major battle in the attempt of the Union Army to capture Wilmington after the fall of Fort Fisher.

--Old B-Runner