Report of Albert M. Blackman at Fort Fisher-- Part 1

From Official Records War of the Rebellion page 425.

Report of Bvt. Brigadier General Albert M. Blackman, 27th USCT, 3rd Brigade, of operations January 15, 1865.

From Federal Point, Fort Buchanan, N.C., January 16, 1865 to Capt. C.A.  Carleton, Assistant Adjutant General.

"I received orders from Brigadier-General Paone about 7 o'clock last evening to proceed to Fort Fisher and report to General Ames.  (The 27th was in entrenchments opposite Sugar Loaf to the north of the fort.)  I proceeded as rapidly as possible, but on arriving at the bridge (at the west end of the land face) near the fort I found the way obstructed by troops.

"I ordered the men to lie down, and proceeded in person to General Ames within the fort and reported.  From him I received orders to retire beyond the range of sharpshooters, stack arms, and return with my men and proceed to the construction of covered ways to enter the fort."

(I'm not sure, but did this mean Ames wanted the 27th to be on a construction detail?)

--Old B-Runner

27th USCT-- Part 3: Fort Fisher and Operations in North Carolina

The 27th USCT then participated in the Fort Fisher Campaign from December 1864 to January 1865.

Then in subsequent actions between Fort Fisher and Wilmington January to February 1865:

Sugar Loaf Hill

Federal Point

Capture of Wilmington

Northeast Ferry

*****************************

CAROLINAS CAMPAIGN  (March to April 1865)

Kinston

Goldsboro

Cox's Bridge

Raleigh

Present at Johnston's surrender at Bennett's House, North carolina on April 26, 1865.

Remained on duty in Department of North Carolina until mustered out on September 21, 1865.

--Old B-Runner

Private William Morgan at Fort Fisher with 27th USCT-- Part 2

Born in 1844, he was likely one of the hundreds of John Randolph slaves in Virginia who were freed after his death and provided means to settle in Ohio.  They made their way and settled  in the Miami Valley in 1846.  In the 1900 census, Morgan said his mother was born in Virginia which supports the idea that he was one of them.

William Morgan enlisted as a private in Company G, 27th USCT at Camp Delaware, Ohio, in April 5, 1864.

His regiment had a proud history of service.   Assigned to the Army of the Potomac, the 27th guarded supply trains during the Overland Campaign and took part in the Siege of Petersburg.  The 27th charged into Confederate lines at the Battle of the Crater on July 30, 1864,.

They were also part of  amphibious operations against Fort Fisher, North Carolina.  It was then involved in the events that followed (Sugar Loaf Hill, Federal Point, Fort Anderson, capture of Wilmington and Northeast Ferry.

After that it participated in the  Carolinas Campaign at Kinston,, Goldsboro, Cox's  Bridge, the capture of Raleigh and surrender of Johnston's Army at Bennett's House.

Hey!   Fort Fisher!!  --Old Secesh

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

Battle of Sugar Loaf Line-- Part 5: Decision Made Not to Attack It

By late afternoon, Schofield and Terry had overrun the Confederate skirmish line but then concluded that the main Confederate line along Sugar Loaf was too strong to be captured by frontal assault

It was decided that Wilmington would have to be captured from the western side of the Cape Fear River.

Major General Jacob  D. Cox's 3rd Division, XXIIIrd Corps was ferried to the west bank of the Cape Fear River to attack Fort Anderson, the main fortress guarding Wilmington on that side of the river.

--Old B-Runner

The Battle of Sugar Loaf Line-- Part 4: One of Three Battles to Take Wilmington

The Battle of Sugar Loaf Line was part of three major thrusts by Union forces in the overall campaign to capture Wilmington, North Carolina.  Fort Fisher fell on January 15, 1865, but Wilmington, about 22 miles upriver, held out until February 22.

A Confederate division under Major General Robert Hoke occupied the Sugar Loaf Line, just south of today's Snow's Cut where the bridge crosses over the cut.  Snow's Cut is part of the Intercoastal Waterway and connects the Cape Fear River with Myrtle Sound.  It was completed in 1931.

On February 11, Schofield attacked the Sugar Loaf Line with Alfred Terry's Corps.  The engagement started in the morning  with a bombardment from the Atlantic Ocean side of the line by Union gunboats.  A half hour later, Terry started his advance, but his left wind was  hindered by a swamp located along the river.

--Old B-Runner

The Battle of Sugar Loaf Line (Wilmington Campaign)-- Part 2: Gen. Hoke at Sugar Loaf and Bragg at Wilmington

After the fall of Fort Fisher, Wilmington was closed as a haven for blockade runners.  There would be no further runs in or out of that port city.  This closed the Confederacy to the world as they had no more Atlantic ports.

The Confederates evacuated the other defensive positions along the Cape Fear River.

While the Confederate defeat at Fort Fisher the previous month had affected morale somewhat and led to an increase in desertion, the remaining soldiers reported morale to be quite high.

General Bragg commanded the defenses of Wilmington.  His field forces were Robert Hoke's division from the Army of Northern Virginia and some artillerymen from the abandoned Confederate defense in the lower river and some home guard.

Hoke commanded three of his brigades on the east side of the Cape Fear River along the Sugar Loaf Line north of Fort Fisher.  His fourth brigade occupied Fort Anderson on the west side of the river.

Bragg remained in Wilmington in order to oversee the removal of the government stockpile supplies and stores and also to prevent Union forces on the coast from reinforcing Union General Sherman as he marched through the Carolinas with his army.

--Old B-Runner

The Battle of Sugar Loaf Line in the Wilmington Campaign-- Part 1

From Wikipedia:  The Battle of Wilmington.

The Battle of Wilmington, North Carolina, was fought February 11-22, 1865, mostly south of the city of Wilmington.  The union victory at the second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, meant that Wilmington, 30 miles up the Cape Fear River, could no longer be used as the Confederacy's last major contact with the outside world.

However, there was still lots o supplies in the city that needed to get sent to Lee's Army in Virginia.  What was necessary was a delaying action for as long as possible.

The action essentially revolved around three theaters, with the Sugar Loaf Line (part of which can now be seen at the Joseph Ryder Lewis, Jr. Civil War Park in Carolina Beach, North Carolina) being the first.

The Confederates were fortunate in that the Union forces did not follow up immediately on the offensive after the fall of Fort Fisher.  Even so, when Braxton Bragg withdrew from Wilmington over a month later, there were still large amounts of tobacco, cotton, equipment and military supplies that had to be destroyed.

--Old B-Runner

How the Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Park Came to Be-- Part 2: A Very Hands-On Project

A supervised work began clearing the brush, committee members and history professor Chris E. Fonvielle Jr of UNCW, provided a comprehensive plan  research document that determined the site to be a part of the Sugar Loaf Line of Civil War earthworks built across Federal Point Peninsula in late 1864 to provide communication and a  backup line for the defense of Wilmington in case Fort Fisher )at the tip of Federal Point) fell to Union forces.

Over the past two years,  seven planning sessions and numerous  informal meetings were held at  the History Center and at the site.  Brush removal was tedious   as it was done by hand and carried by hand some distance before it was removed by city heavy equipment.

--Old B-R'er

How the Joseph Ryder Lewis Park Came to Be-- Part 1

From the May 19, 2015, Island Gazette "Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Civil War Park."

On May 7, 2013,  a group of individuals from all over New Hanover County met at the Federal Point History Center to discuss preservation of earthworks known to be located  on property owned by the Town of Carolina Beach, N.C., by Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr.

The property covers about 12 acres near the Federal Point Shopping Center on U.S. Highway 421.

A committee was formed consisting of  local professional historians, Civil War scholars, archaeologists, town officials, members of the Federal Point  Historical Preservation Society, interested citizens and three members of the Joseph Ryder Lewis family.

Goals were set to document historic features and its significance to Civil War history, accurately locate the site on a map, determine proper means of preservation, and explore  the utilization of the site as an interpretation, educational and recreation park.  Also plans were developed to properly remove overgrowth on the site without damaging the integrity of the site.

--Old B-Runner

Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Civil War Park-- Part 3: The Sugar Loaf Line

Much of the Confederate Sugar Loaf Line of earthwork defenses-- a mile-long, man-made defensive structure begun in 1864 that stretched from the Sugar Loaf sand dune in Carolina Beach State Park along the Cape Fear River, has been flattened by progress over the years since then.

Ensuring that this did not happen to his part of the defensive line was always in Mr. Lewis' plans.

"He loved Federal Point (the name of the peninsula stretching southward from the Snow's Cut Bridge), he loved out historical society and he loved the area's history'" said Elaine Henson, president of the society.  "He knew the earthworks were there and he wouldn't disturb them for anything.  He gave it to the town to protect because he knew  they could make a park of historical significance out of it."

That process, however, has been fraught with delays and more recently, the national reckoning with the very history that gives the park its importance.

--Old B-R'er

Joseph Lewis Ryder Jr. Civil War Park-- Part 2

 Before Lewis Jr's passing at age 84 in 2010, the lifelong Carolina Beach resident, US Army veteran and member of the Federal Point Historical Preservation Society (I also belong to it) bequeathed  the 10-acre patch of land to the town on the condition that it be turned into a park that preserved and highlighted the site's significance to the Confederacy in late 1864 and early 1865 when Union forces attacked Fort Fisher, several miles to the south of the park.

Today, the park includes a new bridge constructed over marshy land and connecting guests from the parking area to the preserved area that includes part of the Confederate Sugar Loaf Line earthworks.

The site isn't easy to find, though.

It sits behind a swath of commercial development on Carolina Beach Road (US Highway 421) that includes Dollar General and an ABC (alcohol) Store.  It is also beside the new Publix Grocery Store with which it shares its parking lot entrance.

--Old B-Runner

New Civil War Park Dedicated in Carolina Beach, N.C.-- Part 1: Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr Civil War Park

From the Feb. 10, 2021,Wilmington (N.C.) Star-News "Carolina Beach fulfills wish of late resident with opening of new Civil War Park" by Hunter Ingram.

After more than eight years of work and preparation, Carolina Beach (North Carolina) will unveil the new Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Civil War park this week.

It is located in a rapidly developing portion of Federal Point, a piece of land rooted in Civil War history is now to be forever preserved.

Yesterday, Thursday, the town of Carolina Beach and the Federal Point Preservation Society unveiled the new park built on land donated by its namesake.  It features earthworks manned by Confederates  during the waning days of the Civil War called the Sugar Loaf Line.

--Old B-Runner

Walking the Sugar Loaf Line With Chris Fonvielle-- Part 2

This is your chance to discover the Civil War ruins which stretch across from Myrtle Grove Sound by the Atlantic Ocean to the Cape Fear River just to the south of today's Snow's Cut Bridge.  Dr. Fonveille will lead the group across that line pointing out what remains of this formidable line of defense.

It was built by Confederates near the end of 1864 in anticipation of a Union attack on Fort Fisher, about four miles to the south of the line.

On January 19, 1865, Union forces from the now-captured Fort Fisher, including Col. John W. Ames' regiments of the United States Colored Troops, attacked  the line and were unable to break it.  On February 11, 1865, an even bigger assault was made with black soldiers again playing a big role.

This became known as the Battle of Sugar Loaf and Confederae defenses again proved to difficult to breach.

Unable to break through, the federals transferred their efforts to proceed to Wilmington to the west side of the Cape Fear River where they attacked and capture Fort Anderson, directly across the river from Sugar Loaf,  on February 19.

With Union ships now able to attack the Sugar Loaf line from the rear, it to was abandoned.  Wilmington fell three days later, on February 22.

--Old B-Runner

Walking the Sugar Loaf Line of Defense with Chris Fonveile-- Part 1

From the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society March 2020 Newsletter.

Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

This probably will be cancelled, if not already.

Saturday March 21  from 2 pm to 4 pm.

$10 donation requested.

Limited to 30 people.

This walk takes place most springs and is led by the #1 person in Wilmington, N.C., and Fort Fisher Civil War history, Chris Fonveille, author of many books and articles on the subject.

I was hoping to go on it this year, but not now.  Maybe next year.

As I expected, it was cancelled because of you-know-what.

--Old B-Runner

Feb. 18, 1865: Fort Anderson Falls and Sugar Loaf Evacuated in North Carolina

FEBRUARY 18TH, 1865:  The big guns of Rear Admiral Porter's fleet in the Cape Fear River silenced the Confederate batteries at Fort Anderson.  Under a relentless hail, of fire from the ships and with Union troops investing the fort from two sides, the Southerners evacuated their defensive positions and fell back to Town Creek.

Simultaneously, the Confederates dug in at Sugar Loaf Hill, on the east bank of the Cape Fear River, adjacent to Fort Anderson, withdrew to Fort Strong, a complex of fortifications comprising several batteries some three miles south of Wilmington.

The combined Army-Navy movement was now pushing irresistibly toward Wilmington, North Carolina.

--Old B-Runner

Was There A Confederate Camp Near the Grainger's Pointe Neighborhood at Masonboro Sound?

From the September 24, 2012, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "My Reporter" by Gail Calloway.

The newspaper answers questions submitted by readers.

Becky Thatcher at Fort Fisher gives this information.

There was plenty of action around Masonboro Sound.  After the fall of Fort Fisher, Confederates were worried about the presence of Union troops on the lower Cape Fear River an a possible siege of Wilmington.

General Braxton Bragg ordered a line of breastworks built from just below Wilmington at Fort Meares, one of the river batteries, to Hewlett's Creek, near Masonboro Sound.  This gave Confederates a defensive line to fall back on in case Sugar Loaf (by present-day Carolina Beach) fell

The federals did attempt to land troops at Masonboro Sound but were unsuccessful.  There are some structures still standing that were there at the time.

--Old B-Runner

Chris Fonvielle Presentation Tonight for the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society

From the Federal Point  Historic Preservation Society (FPHPS) Newsletter.

I belong to this fine organization and sure would like to be there, but something about a 1200 mile distance prevents it.

The May Meeting of the FPHPS will be held tonight, May 20 at 7:30 PM.  It will be held at the federal Point History Center, 1121-A North Lake Park Blvd., next to the Carolina Beach (NC) Town Hall.

This month the presentation will by noted Wilmington area Civil War expert Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr., who will be talking about "Sugar Loaf and the Battle for Wilmington, NC, 1865."  We will learn about the Confederate defenses at Sugar Loaf and Union efforts to overrun them after the capture of Fort Fisher and the capture Wilmington, N.C..

Like I Said, I Really Would Love To Be  There.  --Old B-Runner

Chris Fonvielle's Doing Some Fort Fisher Talking

Now that he is retired from being a history professor at University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Dr. Fonvielle is sure doing a lot of talking.  And, when it comes to the Civil War history of the Wilmington area, I know of no one more knowledgeable or qualified.

Today, May 18, he will be giving a talk on "Fort Fisher 1865:  The Photography of Timothy O'Sullivan" at a Friends of Fort Fisher fundraiser at the fort.  He has written a book on these photographs.  I was impressed when he was with the Blockade Runner Museum back in the early 1980s and he had a complete set of the photographs of O'Sullivan.

Afterwards there will be a walking tour of the remaining sites Mr. O'Sullivan photographed back in 1965.  The talk begins at 10 a.m., EDST at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site at Kure Beach, N.C..

Then, Monday, May 20, he will make a presentation on the Battle of Sugar Loaf, January 19 and February 11, 1865, at the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society at Carolina Beach, N.C..  Sugar Loaf was a major battle in the attempt of the Union Army to capture Wilmington after the fall of Fort Fisher.

--Old B-Runner

Walk the "Sugar Loaf Line of Defense" March 17

From the Federal Point Historical Preservation Society.  Carolina Beach, N.C.  (south of Wilmington)

Saturday, March 17, 2018, people will be able to walk the Confederate Sugar Loaf Line of Defense with noted Civil War historian, professor and author Chris Fonvielle.  I doubt that there is anyone who knows more about Fort Fisher and the Wilmington Campaign.

The walking tour will be from 2 to 4 p.m..  A $10 donation would be appreciated.

This will also include Confederate entrenchments in the proposed "Ryder Lewis Park."

After the fall of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865, Confederates used this line of defense to slow the Union advance on Wilmington.

--Old B-R'er