January 15, 1865: The Fall of Fort Fisher-- Part 1: The Naval Brigade Attack

Taken from the Civil War Naval Chronology.

At 3 p.m. on the 15th the signal to cease firing was sent to the fleet, and the soldiers, sailors and Marines ashore charged the Confederate fortifications.  Because the Army advanced through a wooded area while the Naval Brigade dashed across a open beach, the he defenders opened a concentrated fire at point blank range on the naval attack, "ploughing lanes in the ranks."

Leading the assault, Lieutenant Samuel W. Preston, one of the war's ablest young naval officers, and Lieutenant Benjamin H. Porter, commanding officer of the flagship, USS Malvern, were among those killed.  (Porter was not related to Rear Admiral David D. Porter, commander of the fleet.

Unchecked, however, this assaulting force, under the command of Lieutenant Commander K. Randolph Breese pressed forward.

Ensign Robley D. Evans, later  to become a Rear Admiral with the well-earned sobriquet "Fighting Bob" -- suffered four wounds, two crippling his legs.

--Old B-Runner

January 15, 1865: The Fall of Fort Fisher-- Part 1: The Naval Column Comes Under Heavy Fire

JANUARY 15TH, 1865:  Porter's fleet reopened their terrific bombardment while Union troops readied for an attack on the western end of Fort Fisher's land face by the river.  Meanwhile, sailors and Marines landed to the north of the fort and advanced along the beach in preparation to attack the northeast part of the fort by the ocean.

At 3 pm on the 15th, the signal to cease firing was sent to the fleet, and the soldiers, sailors and Marines ashore charged the Confederate fortifications.  Because the Army advanced through a wooded area while the Naval Brigade dashed across an open beach, the defenders opened a concentrated fire at point-blank range on the naval attack, "ploughing lanes in the ranks.'

Leading the assault, Lieutenant Samuel W. Preston, one of the Union's ablest young naval officers, and Lieutenant Benjamin H. Porter (no relation to the admiral), commanding officer of the flagship USS Malvern, were among those killed.

Unchecked, however, this assaulting force under the command of Lieutenant Commander K. Randolph Breese pressed forward.

There is a whole lot more about the attack and fall of Fort Fisher that I will write about the next several weeks.

The End of Fort Fisher.  --Old B-Runner

A Fort Fisher Connection at the USNA Cemetery: Where Sen. McCain Will Be Buried This Week

We lost one of the great Americans and a hero in every aspect a few weeks ago, Senator John McCain.

He is to be buried at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland , this week.  This cemetery also has a Fort Fisher connection.

Lt. Samuel W. Preston, who was killed in action at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865, is buried there.

In addition, William B. Cushing, he sank the CSS Albemarle, was a constant thorn in the side to the Confederates of the Wilmington area with his excursions and was in the Naval Brigade in its attack on Foirt Fisher along with Lt. Preston, but was not killed, is buried there.

--Old B-Runner

Lights Out for Fort Fisher, Jan. 15, 1865-- Part 1: Initial Success for Confederates

JANUARY 15, 1865:  The bombardment continued on the third day as Union troops and sailors and Marines prepared to attack the fort's land face.  At 3 p.m., the signal to cease firing was sent to the fleet with the whistles of the ships and everyone started forward.  The troops attacked the fort at where the land face met the Cape Fear River.  The sailors and Marines of the Naval Brigade dashed across the open beach attacking the Northeast Bastion.

The defenders of the fort opened a point-blank concentrated fire on the Naval Brigade "ploughing lanes in the ranks."  Leading the assault, Lt. Samuel W. Preston, one of the Navy's ablest young officers, and Lt. Benjamin H. Porter (no relation to the admiral), the commanding officer of Porter's flagship, the USS Malvern, were among those killed.

The assault continued under command of Lt. Cmdr. K. Randolph Breese.

Ensign Robley D. Evans, later to become a Rear Admiral with the well-earned sobriquet "Fighting Bob"--  suffered four wounds, two crippling his legs.

--Old B-R'er