Fort Fisher Sailor's Letters to Be Discussed-- Part 2: At Second Battle of Fort Fisher Then James River

The Pawtuxet remained of Wilmington after the fall of Fort Fisher and then operated in the Cape Fear River.  After the fall of  Wilmington on 22 February 1865, the Pawtuxet  proceeded to Beaufort, North Carolina, a major Union base for the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.  Once again ready for service, the ship went to the James River Squadron in Virginia.

By then, that squadron had  at least 42 warships, including some monitors.  The Union Army was pushing toward the final destruction of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

Sidney Stockbridge wrote about daily life on the James River, including the hustle and bustle at  City Point, a formerly obscure spot  where the Appomattox River joins the James River, about 30 miles below Richmond.

City Point became one of the busiest seaports in the world as it supplied and fed some 150,000 Union troops.  Land forces dominated this arena, but maritime forces were crucial to victory.

U.S. Navy dominance of the sea lanes and inland waterways allowed  General Grant to continually move his forces around the flank of Lee's army.  There was no interruption in supplies.

The Cape Fear Civil War Round Table meets the second Tuesday of every month.  Programs start at 7:15.  Guests are welcome.  Yearly membership is $30.

--Old B-Runner