Seaman Dennis Conlan's Fort Fisher Medal of Honor

From the Jan. 5, 2020, Ammoland Shooting Sports News : "Medal of Honor Monday:   Navy seaman David Conlan."

Born 1838 in New York City.  Age about 26 when his actions earned him a Congressional Medal of Honor, which occurred December 23, 1864, during the First Battle of Fort Fisher.

Conlan was serving aboard the USS Agawam when he and several others volunteered to  pack the USS Louisiana with explosives and take it in close to Fort Fisher and blow it up with the hope that the concussion of explosion would damage or even knock down the fort.

Late at night, it was towed in close to Fort Fisher by the USS Wilderness to within 300 yards of the fort's Northeast Bastion.  Once in place, Conlon and the others lit the elaborate fuse and clockwork system then built backup fires in the stern.

They then abandoned the ship and went back to the Wilderness and joined the rest of the fleet about 12 miles away to await the explosion.

Unfortunately, the breeze and strong undertow had driven the Louisiana further off the beach than expected and the explosion did no damage to the fort other than awaken some.

But, all ten men who volunteered for the mission were awarded Medals of Honor.

--Old B-Runner