Monday, April 30, 2018

N.C. Timeline, May 1863: Demonstrations Against Kinston


These were the Union forces involved in the actions.

APRIL 27 TO MAY 1--   Expedition from New Bern to Kinston.  5th, 17th, 27th, 44th, 45th and 46th Massachusetts.   3rd Cavalry and Battery H of 3rd Light Artillery New York,  58th Pennsylvania.  Union loss: 2 killed, 6 wounded.

MAY 5--  Skirmish at Peletier's Mill.  3rd Cavalry

MAY 7--  Skirmish at Stony Creek.

MAY 15.  Capture of steamers Emily and Arrow.

MAY 20-23   Demonstration on Kinston.  3rd Cavalry  5th, 25th, 27th and 46th Massachusetts,  3rd Cavalry, Battery H of 3rd Light Artillery New York,  58th Pennsylvania.

--Old B-Runner



USS De Soto-- Part 5: Service On Mississippi River and Off Texas


In early July 1862, the USS De Soto made a run up the Mississippi River carrying letters and passengers to the Union ships participating in the Siege of Vicksburg.  Then, it was back to  the Gulf and patrolling off Texas between Sabine Pass, the Brazos River and Brazos Santiago at the mouth of the Rio Grande River.

In early October, it returned to New Orleans for temporary repairs to its boilers.  But a backlog of work and lack of funds there caused Farragut to have to send the De Soto to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for extensive repairs.  The ship arrived there 18 November and the repairs lasted two months.

During this time William M. Walker was promoted from commander to captain.  The De Soto's battery was altered and now mounted one 11-inch Dahlgren, one 30-pdr. Parrot rifle, six 32-pdrs and two 12-pdr. smoothbores.

It left Philadelphia 3 February 1863 and stopped at Havana and Santo Domingo before arriving in key West 15 February.

--Old B-Runner

Friday, April 27, 2018

USS De Soto-- Part 4: Becomes Part of the WGBS


The De Soto captured the schooner Major Barbour off the Isle Demieres, Louisiana on January 28, 1862.  It was carrying 8 barrels of gunpowder and 198 cases of gunpowder, nitrate, sulfur and percussion caps.  On February 9 another schooner, the Star, out of Bayou Lafourche.

PART OF THE WEST GULF BLOCKADING SQUADRON

In late February 1862, Farragut arrived at Key West in his flagship, the USS Hartford.  The Gulf Blockading squadron was thereupon split into two halves and he went with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron (WGBS) and the De Soto became a part of it.

Farragut's orders were to capture New Orleans.

Even though the De Soto was in the WGBS, it continued patrolling off Barataria.  It also served as a mobile storeship with extra bread and ordnance supplies.

--Old B-Runner

Thursday, April 26, 2018

USS De Soto-- Part 3: Assigned to Gulf Blockading Squadron


The De Soto was fitted out at the New York Navy Yard and command was given to Commander William M. Walker.  On 19 November 1861, she left New York with supplies and ordnance for Fort Pickens, Pensacola.  From there, the USS De Soto went to the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River and joined the Gulf Blockading Squadron 11 December 1861.

She patrolled near Barataria Bay.

Her relatively shallow draft and great steam speed, augmented by sails gave her a big advantage over blockade runners.

I read that her draft was 16 feet, which is not shallow in my way of thinking.  It appears the De Soto usually captured sailing vessels.

However, there was a collision with the French steam warship Milan.

--Old B-Runner

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

USS De Soto-- Part 2: New York to New Orleans Run


The De Soto was built in Brooklyn, New York and launched in 1859.  It ran passengers and mail between New York and New Orleans.  At 1,675 tons and 253 feet it was one of the larger steamships of its time.  Plus, it was extremely fast, several times going faster than 14 knots per hour.

It was named after Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto.

A round trip between the two cities usually took about a month.

It was one of the last U.S. ships to enter a Confederate port.  It left New York 23 April 1861, 11 days after Fort Sumter was fired upon.  But for some reason, Confederate authorities in New Orleans didn't seize what would have been a very valuable ship for the Confederacy.

It went to Havana a couple times before being acquired by the  Union Navy and converted into a warship.

--Old B-Runner

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

USS De Soto-- Part 1: A Very Fast Ship


In the last post I wrote about this ship capturing four blockade runners in one day.

From Wikipedia.

Completed as a merchant ship in 1859.  Sold to U.S. Navy 12 August 1861 and name retained.  Commissioned 1861.  Decommissioned 16 June 1864.  Recommissioned 12 August 1865.  Decommissioned 11 September 1868.  Sold 30 September 1868 to be used as a merchant ship again on the New York-Havana-New Orleans run.  Destroyed by fire 31 December 1868.

1,675 tons, 253 feet long, 38 foot beam sidewheel steamer.  Capable of 14 miles an hour, very fast for its time and size.  130 crew

Armament:

1861:  eight 32-pdr guns, one 30-pdr. Parrott rifle

1863:  one 11-inch Dahlgren, one 30-pdr. Parrott rifle, six 32-pdr rifles, two 12-pdr. smoothbores.

No Wonder the De Soto Was Able to Capture Four Blockade Runners in One Day.  --Old B-R'er


April 24, 1863: USS De Soto Has a Really Good Day


From the Civil War Naval Chronology.  All of these 155th anniversary posts come from it.  If you're into the Naval history of the Civil War, this book is the one for you.

APRIL 24TH, 1863:  The USS De Soto, Captain William M. Walker, captured blockade running schooners General Prim and Rapid, bound from Mobile to Havana, and sloops Jane Adelie and Bright with cargoes of cotton in the Gulf of Mexico.

Four Prizes in One Day Meant Very Good Prize Money for the Crew.  --Old B-Runner

Monday, April 23, 2018

Blockade Runner R. E. Lee


From Wikipedia.

Originally was the merchant ship Giraffe.

Made 21 runs through the blockade in ten months and carried 7,000 bales of cotton out of the Confederacy.  It was captured by the USS James Adger.

It was sold to the Union navy in prize court and placed in service as the USS Fort Donelson and took part in the Second Battle of Fort Fisher Jan. 13-15, 1865.

After the war sold to the Chilean Navy and renamed the Concepcion.

--Old B-Runner

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Some More on the USS Iron Age


One source I found said that the Iron Age and the USS James Adger captured the famous blockade runner CSS Robert E. Lee, but I can only find other sources saying that it was just the James Adger who captured the Lee.

The Iron Age ran aground while trying to get the blockade runner Bendigo off or to at least take off cargo by Lockwood's Folly Inlet, NC.  The other Union ships tried to get it off, but were driven off by Confederate guns including a battery of 30-pdr. guns.

--Old B-R'er

N.C. Timeline, April 1863: Lots of Action


APRIL 16-21:  Expedition from New Bern toward Kinston     (3rd and 8th Mass.;; 3rd Cav, 1st Light Art,132nd, 158th NY; 58th Pa.)

APRIL 17-18:   Skirmishes at Core Creek   (58th Pa)  Union losses:  1 killed, 4 wounded

APRIL 17-19:   Expedition from New Bern to Washington   (17th, 23rd Mass;  3rd Cav. NY; 1st Light Art. RI)

APRIL 19:  Skirmish at Big Swift Creek   (158th Pa.)

APRIL 20:  Skirmish at Sandy Ridge  (3rd Cav NY;  58th Pa)  Union losses:  8 wounded

APRIL 23:  Entrance of a blockade runner into New Inlet

APRIL 27-MAY 1:  Expedition from New Bern toward Kinston    (5th, 17th,27th, 45th, 46th Mass;  3rd Cav, 3rd Light Artillery NY; 58th Pa)  Union losses:2 killed, 6 wounded

APRIL 28:  Action at Wise's Cross Roads   (5th, 17th, 27th, 45th and 46th Mass; 58th Pa.)

APRIL 28:  Action at Dover Road   (17th, 27th, 45th, 46th Mass.; 58th Pa.)

Keeping the Rebls Busy.  --Old B-Runner

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Rodman's Point, Washington, N.C.

In Beaufort County, N.C., on Pamlico River by the town of Washington.  When the Confederates attempted to recapture Washingtion in April 1863, they built a battery at Rodman's Point.  Nothing remains of it.

Also listed as Rodman's Pond.

From April 1 to April 16, 1863, there were three engagements listed as occurring here.

The 50th NC (Confederate) was one of the regiments which fought there.

--Old B-Runner

About Nixontown, N.C. and the 1st N.C. Infantry (Union)


The April 10, 2018, blog entry on the N.C. Timeline for April 6, 1863, showed a skirmish at Nixontown involving the 1st N.C. (Union).

According to Wikipedia, this is also called Nixon's Town or Windmill Point.  It is an unincorporated community in Pasquotank County located in the very northeastern corner of the state near the Virginia line.

It was once a municipality and incorporated originally in 1758.

Named for Zachariah Nixon, it was once the county seat of the county from 1785-1800.  In 1799, the county seat was moved to Elizabeth City.  Prior to the Civil War, it was a flourishing community, but today only 25 families live there.

The Skirmish at Nixontown on April 6, 1863, only involved Company D of the 1st NC (Union)They were also at Rodman's Point skirmish March 30, 1863.  The 1st was authorized by general Burnside in May 1862 and organized in June of that year.  They mustered out June 27, 1865, in New Bern, N.C..

--Old B-R'er

Looking Back Again At the North Carolina Timelines from March 9 and 10


I found another source at Research Online which listed Union units and ships involved in the actions, mostly along the coast of the state in April 1863.

If you go back to those dates or hit the N.C. Timeline label below you can go back to see the updates.

--Old B-Runner


Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Blockade Runner Elizabeth


From the July 8, 2015, FaceBook  "This Is Oak Island."

The remains of the blockade runner Elizabeth are above water at low tide.  It was previously named the Atlantic and was a 216 foot long, 623 ton sidewheel steamer.

The Atlantic was seized in New Orleans by Brigadier General Mansfield and had made eight successful runs through the blockade before running aground.

The remains are owned by the State of North Carolina and is listed on the NRHP as part of an archaeological region.

Until 1954 the paddle wheel could be seen from the shore, but Hurricane Hazel destroyed it.  Now you can only see what is left of the smokestacks.

Do not attempt to swim out to it.

--Old  B-Runner

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Follow-Up On the Last Post, CSS Florida Destroys the Commonwealth


In the last post, I wrote about the CSS Florida, under Lt. Maffitt, capturing and destroying the ship Commonwealth off Brazil.

From Wikipedia.

The CSS Florida had run out of Mobile Bay on January 16, 1863.  It then coaled in Nassau then spent six months off the coasts of North and South America making calls at neutral ports, making captures and eluding a large Federal squadron pursuing her.  It was during this period when she captured the Commonwealth.

From Ahoy  Mac's Log.

The Florida was chased by four Union ships:  USS Wachusett, Santiago de Cuba, San Jacinto and Sonoma.  they were under the overall command of Rear Admiral Charles Wilkes.  Charles Wilkes had commanded the USS San Jacinto in the famed Trent Affair.

The Commonwealth was a 1,300 ton clipper ship of New York.  She was put to the torch.  Its cargo had been insured for $370,000.

--Old B-R'er

April 17, 1863: CSS Florida Captured and Destroyed Commonwealth


APRIL 17TH, 1863:  The CSS Florida, Lieutenant Maffitt, captured and destroyed the ship Commonwealth off the coast of Brazil, bound from New York to San Francisco.

--Old B-Runner

Monday, April 16, 2018

USS Iron Age-- Part 4: The Iron Age Also Runs Aground and Is Destroyed


The USS Iron Age and Daylight were ordered to refloat the Bendigo on 9 January 1864.  On January 10, the Iron Age ran aground while attempting to do so.  Efforts to get the Iron Age off failed.

The ship was burned at 0400 11 January 11 and destroyed when one hour and 40 minutes later, the fire reached the magazine and the Iron Age exploded.

Several days later, locals rowed out to the Iron Age wreck and tried to recover anything of value.  Neil Holden of the famous family from the area (there is a Holden Beach by the inlet) recovered the Iron Age's captain's razor and it has been in the family ever since.

--Old B-R'er

USS Iron Age-- Part 3: Blockade Runners Elizabeth and Bendigo Run Aground At Lockwood's Folly Inlet


In late 1863, the blockade runner Elizabeth ran aground off Lockwood's Folly Inlet.  In January 1864, the blockade runner Bendigo, coming in from Nassau saw the wreck of the Elizabeth and thought it to be a blockading Union ship.

Standard practice at this point was the blockade runner to attempt passing between the Union ship and the shore, which was what the Bendigo attempted to do.  Of course, the Eliazabeth was aground and there wasn't much chance of passing by it.

The Bendigo ran aground  Hard aground with no chance of getting off.

Locals helped salbage some of the cargo.  The ship was set afire and abandoned.

--Old B-Runner

Friday, April 13, 2018

USS Iron Age-- Part 2: Joins NABS


The Iron Age was then assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron on 3 September 1863 and sailed for Wilmington, North Carolina, arriving off New Inlet 11 September 1863.  On the fifth day on station, the Iron Age discovered a blockade runner running out and drove it back where it grounded ashore at Fort Fisher.

On 21 October 1863 it assisted the USS Nansemond and USS Niphon in the destruction of the blockade runner Venus.

The Iron Age was then involved in a Christmas Eve raid of salt works at Bear Inlet and destroyed a large quantity of salt as well as totally smashed equipment.

--Old B-Runner

Thursday, April 12, 2018

USS Iron Age-- Part 1: Looked for the CSS Tacony


From Wikipedia.

144 feet long, 25-foot beam, 424 ons, steamship, screw propeller,  Mounted three 30-pdr. Dahlgren rifles and six 8-inch Dahlgren guns.

Built Kennebunk, Maine and purchased by the Navy in Boston, Massachusetts, 28 April 1863. Commissioned  25 June 1863 with Lt.Cmdr. E.E. Stone in command.

Afterwards, searched for Confederate commerce raider CSS Tacony, but stopped when they found it had been burned and its crew captured.  returned to Boston 7 July 1862 and spent the rest of the summer in New England waters protecting Union commerce, fisheries and the coast.

--Old B-R'er

Lockwood Folly Inlet Civil War Wrecks-- Part 3: Elizabeth, Bendigo and the USS Iron Age


The inlet is called by two names:  Lockwood Folly Inlet and Lockwood's Ferry Inlet.

The USS Iron Age is the main problem with boats in the inlet.

The Elizabeth is west of the current channel and visible at low tide.  Is this the one the man took pictures of with his drone?    The Iron Age is southeast of the Elizabeth and the Bendigo is northwest of the Elizabeth.

There are at least four Civil War wrecks at the inlet.  A map also shows one called the Lisa Marie  there in the inlet shallows.

--Old B-Runner

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Lockwood Folly Inlet Civil War Wrecks-- Part 2


The captain of the Bendigo saw what he thought was a blockader as he skirted the shore, but it was actually the blockade runner Elizabeth.  In evasive action, which required passing to the shore side of the other ship, the Bendigo ran hard aground.

The blockading ships USS Fort Jackson, Iron Age, Montgomery and Daylight came to investigate.  Once they determined they could not refloat the Bendigo, they riddled the ship with gunfire.  The Montgomery and Iron Age themselves ran aground.  The Montgomery was able to get off, but not the USS Iron Age.

--Old B-R'er

Lockwood Folly Inlet and the Civil War Wrecks


From the January 31, 2004 Saltwater Central.com .

Several local boats have been damaged on the Civil war wrecks and there has been one indirect loss of life from them.  According to locals, the main culprit is the USS Iron Age.

The blockade runner Elizabeth was on its 8th run of the blockade at Wilmington.  It was 216 feet long, 623 ton sidewheel steamer which had left Nassau September 19, 1863.  Some twelve miles from Fort Caswell, guarding the Old Inlet approach to the Cape Fear River and Wilmington, N.C., when it ran aground at Lockwood Folly Inlet and was set on fire when it was determined they couldn't get it off.

The blockade runner Bendigo cleared Wilmington and ran the blockade on December 16, 1863.  It was its second trip through the blockade.  The Bendigo 178 tons, iron-hulled sidewheel steamer.  It was 162 feet long, 20.1 foot beam and drew 10.9 feet  of water.  It may have been called the Milly at one time.

--Old B-Runner

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

About That Shipwreck at Lockwood Folly Inlet


On April 6, I wrote about the wreck of the ship at Lockwood Folly Inlet (Also called Lockwood's Folly Inlet) which was videoed by the drone.

From the August 7, 2015, Carolina Sportsman  "Have a wreck in Lockwood Folly Inlet and catch plenty of black drum" Brian Cope.

The boat is next to two Civil War wrecks.  recent dredging by the Army Corps of Engineers has made it more difficult to find the boat, but parts are visible at low tide.

When no visible, it is easy to find with a depth finder, and, of course, a good fishing spot.

--Old B-Runner

April 10, 1863: It's a David Vs. Goliath Navy Battle


APRIL 10, 1863:   President Jefferson Davis said: "We began this struggle without a single gun afloat, while the resources of our enemy enabled them to gather fleets which, according to their official list published in August last, consisted of 427 vessels, measuring 340,036 tons, and carrying 3,268 guns.

"Yet we have captured, sunk, or destroyed a number of these vessels, including two large frigates and one sloop of war, while four of their captured steamboats are now in our possession, adding to the strength of our little Navy, which is rapidly gaining in numbers and efficiency."

--Old B-R'er


N.C. Timeline, April 1863: Action At Washington, N.C.


APRIL 6--  Skirmish at Nixontown   (1st NC Union)

APRIL 7-10--  Expedition from New Bern for relief of Washington     (3rd, 5th, 8th, 17th, 43rd, 44th Mass.; Battery H 3rd NY Light Artillery, 85th, 96th, 132nd, 158th NY; 101st, 103rd, 158th, 171st, 175th Pa.; 5th Heavy Art., Battery F 1st Light Art.)

APRIL 9--  Action at Blount's Creek   (17th, 43rd NY; 3rd Cav.; 3rd Light Art.; 158th  1st Light Art.  Union losses: 10 wounded.

APRIL 13-21--  Expedition to Swift Creek Village   (3ed NY Cav.; 1st Light Art.; 158th, 168th, 171st, 175th Pa.;

APRIL 15--  Skirmish at Washington   (44th Mass.)

APRIL 16--  Affair at Rodman's Point   (U.S. Navy)

APRIL 16--  Affair at Hill's Point   (USS Ceres, USS Commodore Hull)

--Old B-Runner

Monday, April 9, 2018

N.C. Timeline, April 1863: Skirmishes and Engagements


Frtom the North Carolina Civil War sesquicentennial site.

I also found a listing of Union troops and ships involved in the actions at the N.C. Research Online site and have included it here.

Civil War events taking place in North Carolina 155 Years Ago.

APRIL--  Marcus Erwin and the Buncombe County militia flush 80 anti-Confederates from Laurel Valley.  Western part of the state.

APRIL 1--  Engagement at Rodman's Pond   (USS Commodore Hull)

APRIL 2--  Engagement at Hill's Point   (U.S. Navy)

APRIL 3--  Skirmish at White Forks   (3rd New York Cavalry)

APRIL 3--  Skirmish at Washington   (44th Massachusetts)

APRIL 4-5--  Engagement at Rosman's Pond   27th Mass, 3rd NY Cav,  USS Ceres)

APRIL 4-6--  Operations on the Pamlico    (5th Mass, 23rd Ind. Light Battery, 101st Pa, 175th Pa, USS Smithfield, USS Ceres, USS Whitehead, USS Seymour)

--Old B-Runner

Friday, April 6, 2018

N.C. Beachgoer Captures Drone Footage of Civil War Shipwreck


From the April 4, 2018, Fox News  "N.C. beachgoer captures drone footage of Civil War-era shipwreck"  Madeline Farber.

Brent  Garlington, 42, flew a drone over Lockwood Folly Inlet, N.C., near Holden Beach and Oak Island.  It was a real low tide because of the full moon.  He walked out to the beach sandbar and sent his drone skyward.

What he got were very sharp pictures of the outline of the ship as well as two smokestacks partially above the water.

His brother had spotted the wreck from a helicopter last year.

In 2016, the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources found this shipwreck, believed to be one of three Civil war blockade runners sunk in the area.

You can see the impressive video at WWAY TV.

--Old B-R'er


The XXV Corps, Union Army


From Wikipedia.

The two brigades of USCT who accompanied the Fort Fisher expeditions were part of the XXV Corps.  Chaplain Henry M. Turner was a member of this corps.

The XXV (25th) Corps was made up almost entirely of black troops previously belonging to the X and XVIII Corps in the Union Army.

On December 3, 1864, the two corps of the Army of the James reorganized.  The white units went to the XXIV Corps.  Black troops became the XXV Corps under Major Genral Godfrey Weitzel.

The newly created corps did not have much of a role in the waning days of the Petersburg Campaign, but some of its units were at the two battles of Fort Fisher.  After that they were more heavily engaged in the subsequent Wilmington Campaign, resulting in the capture of that city in late February.

One of their most noteworthy accomplishments was being the first Union troops to enter Richmond, Virginia, after its evacuation.

In May of 1865, they were sent to Texas to stand as the "Army of Occupation" against Napoleon III in Mexico.  They disbanded in 1866.

--Old B-Runner

Thursday, April 5, 2018

A Black Chaplain at Fort Fisher-- Part 4: Surgeon's Aide in the Battle


Chaplain Henry M. Turner, 1st USCT, Wright's Brigade [3rd], Paine's [3rd] Division, XXV Corps.

The 27th USCT also belonged to Wright's Brigade.

During the Second Battle of Fort Fisher, Chaplain Turner served as an aide to surgeon Norman S. Barnes, medical director of General Alfred H. Terry's Provisional Corps.

These quotes are taken from "Rocked In the Cradle of Secession" by Henry M. Turner, Edwin S. redkey, ed.  Appeared in American heritage 31 (Oct.-Nov. 1980) pages 70-77.

--Old B-R'er

A Black Chaplain Writes About Fort Fisher-- Part 3: Would They Shoot Captured USCT?


**  "After walking through the fort for some time, viewing it by the light of the moon, I found myself shot at from some unknown quarter.  This led me to believe there were rebels still secreted in some undiscovered spot whom we had not found."

**  "I asked several rebel officers if they killed the colored prisoners they took.  They told me they did not.  They also told me if they found they were free men from the north, or even from any slave State in our lines, they were treated as other Yankee prisoners are; but if they were slaves whose owners were in the Confederate States, and such colored men could be identified, they were treated as house-burners and robbers.  And as for you, said they, you would get the same treatment as other Yankee officers."

Interesting Observations.  --Old Secesh

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

April 4, 1863: CSS Alabama Captures the Louisa Hatch


APRIL 4TH, 1863:  The CSS Alabama, Captain Semmes, captured the Louisa Hatch off the coast of Brazil with large cargo of coal.  Semmes took the prize with him so he would still have a means of obtaining a supply of coal is he failed to rendezvous as planned with the bark Agrippina at Fernando de Noronha Island.

Semmes' foresight again paid off, for the bark did not arrive at the island.  After coaling and provisioning from the Louisa Hatch, Semmes burned her on 17 April.

--Old B-R'er

A Black Chaplain Writes About Fort Fusher-- Part 2:


**  "The battle raged amid the terrific fire of deadly missiles until after dark....  I retired some distance from the scene of conflict and lay down until about 10 o'clock, when the news spread that Fort Fisher had surrendered...  At this news I jumped up and went to survey the fort and behold the results of our conquest."

I'm not sure about his going to sleep amid the battle.

**    "The fort had been ploughed by our shells until everything looked like a heap of destruction....  Several shells had been utterly buried by our shells....  The soldiers were ransacking every nook and corner in search of trophies and other memorials...."

--Old B-Runner

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

A Black Chaplain Writes About the Aftermath of the Second Battle of Fort Fisher


From the North Carolina Historic Sites "Black Troops at Fort Fisher."

Chaplain Henry M. Turner, 1st USCT, describes the capture of Fort Fisher and afterwards.

**  "The land forces on out [right] ... in no instance broke or exhibited any cowardice...."  He was talking about white troops.

**  "At one time I thought they could never stand it, neither do I believe they would have stood, but for the fact that they knew the black troops were in the rear, and if [the white troops] failed, the colored troops would take the fort and claim the honor.

"Indeed, the white troops told the rebels that is they did not surrender they would let the negroes loose on them...."

--Old B-Runner

Monday, April 2, 2018

Park Day at Fort Fisher on Saturday, April 7


The Friends of Fort Fisher announce that the annual Civil War Trust Park Day will take place on Saturday, April 7 from 8 a.m. to noon.

The purpose is to beautify and preserve the site and this is the 21st year of it.

Volunteers of all ability levels are needed to work on painting, raking and cleaning the engraved pavers on the Walk of Honor in front of the museum/visitors center.

Some gloves and tools will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own.

Participants need to register in advance.

At noon, lunch will be provided by the Friends of Fort Fisher.

--Old B-R'er


USCT Regiments At Second Battle of Fort Fisher


The same USCT were also at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher from January 13-15.  This time they participated in mopping up actions and the fort's surrender.

The only difference in the regiments was in the Third Brigade where Major William R. Brazie replaced Col. Giles W. Shurtleff in the 5th USCT and the 27th USCT replaced the 107th USCT.  The 27th was commanded by Col. Albert M. Blackman.

--Old B-Runner