March 3, 1865: Clearing the Cape Fear River of Torpedoes and Obstructions-- Part 1

MARCH 3RD, 1865:  General Sherman's large army, marching parallel to the coast from Columbia, South Carolina, in order to keep sea support  near at hand, steadily approached Fayetteville, North Carolina.  The Navy continued  to clear the Cape Fear River of torpedoes and obstructions so as to provide him a base at Wilmington for sea supply comparable to Savannah.

As the river was cleared, light draft gunboats bumped up the river to be ready to open communications.

--Old B-Runner