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

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 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. 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

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

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