Sugar Loaf Civil War Earthworks-- Part 1: Wilmington, 'The Lifeline of the Confederacy'

From the March 24, 2014, Federal Point  Historic Preservation Society by Chris E. Fonvielle.

As we know, the Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Civil War Park is now a real thing after a whole lot of work.  Congratulations to all involved in the arduous effort.

The Sugar Loaf  earthworks served as an auxiliary line of defense for Fort Fisher, about four miles to the south of them.  Fort Fisher was built to protect the Confederate port of Wilmington, North Carolina, a haven for blockade runners bringing in supplies to the new country.

Over 100 of them operated in and out of Wilmington alone.  With the exception of Charleston, S.C., Wilmington became the most heavily fortified city along the Atlantic Coast.  Wilmington became so important to the South that it became known as "The Lifeline of the Confederacy."

In late 1864, even Gen. Robert E. Lee warned, "If Wilmington falls , I cannot maintain my army."

--Old B-Runner