The Last Christmas at Fort Fisher (1864)-- Part 3: The Christmas Assault

On the afternoon of December 24, 1864, the United States fleet opened fire on Fort Fisher.  The heavy cannonade continued for the next two days.  The booming of the cannons could distintively be heard in Wilmington, about twenty miles away.

Despite the terrific bombardment, Colonel Lamb noted that the greatest penetration into his sand defenses was not more than five feet perpendicularly.

The fleet was all floating in a stately line of battle in three main lines and five ironclads anchored in close to the fort.  There were frigates (some of whom carried as many guns as could be found in the whole fort) Very late in the day on the 26th, the firing ceased and the fleet moved further out to sea.

No serious damage had been done to the fort and the men were in high spirits over the enemy's retreat.  In the evening, they sang "Lorena" and other songs and their stringed instruments played lively airs.

Fisher Lives to Fight Another Day.  --Old B-Runner

RoadTrippin' Thru History, Cypress Hills Cemetery (Brooklyn, NY)-- Part 2

From Find-A-Grave.

There were seven Civil War Medal of Honor recipients, including three in the Navy.  I'll be writing about the Navy ones in later posts.

Also one Union general and one Union Navy officer who eventually became an admiral  (I'll write about him later.)

Others of interest:

Eubie Blake:  Wrote "Charleston Rag" and "I'm Just Wild About Harry."

James "Gentleman Jack" Corbett:  Heavyweight Boxer Champion from 1892-1897.  In 1892, he beat  John L. Sullivan for the title.

Robert "Death to Flying Things" Ferguson:  Major League Baseball player in the 19th century.  Considered the first switch hitter and got that nickname for his ability to catch fly balls in an era where players did not wear gloves.

Who was the other baseball player and famous actress?

Maybe in the next post.

--Old B-Runner

Big To Do at the Fort This Weekend-- Part 4: Activity Schedule for Sunday, Jan. 19

9:00 AM--  Visitors center opens.

**  Free guided tour of the fort.

**  Music bu the Huckleberry Brothers in E. Gehrig Spencer Theater and throughout the day in the Living History Area.

10:00 AM--  Battle Scenario around Shepherd's Battery. There will be several hundred re-enactors recreating the Second Battle of Fort Fisher.

11:30 AM--  Remarks by Rod Gragg  "My Friend, the Enemy."

12:00 PM--  Free guided tour of the fort.

**  Torpedo demonstration in Living History Area.

12:30  PM--  Artillery demonstration at Shepherd's Battery

**  Above the Scenes Tour, requires a ticket; limited to 25 persons.

**  Junior Reserves   Signal Flags" in the Living History Area.

More Coming Today.  --Old B-Runner

Big To Do at the Fort This Weekend, Fort Fisher's 155th Anniversary-- Part 2

Events Saturday, January 18, 2020:

9:00 AM--  Visitors Center opens.

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10:00 AM--  Music by the Huckleberry Brothers in the E. Gehrig Spencer Theater and throughout the day at various spots.

Ray Flowers will speak in the Speakers' Tent about "Stories from the Garrison."

Torpedo demonstration in the Living History area.

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10:30 AM--  Junior Reserves  "School of the Soldier"  in the Living History Area.  (Children)

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11:00 AM--  Infantry Demonstration at Shepherd's Battery

Free guided tour if the fort.

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11:30 AM--  Above the Scenes Tour (requires a ticket); limited to 25 participants.  Led by Dr. Chris Fonvielle, "Desperate Bravery and Brilliant Valor."

And, There's Much More.  --Old B-Runner

Remembering 9/11 in 2015: "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue (The Angry American)"

Continued from my Saw the Elephant blog.

Lyrics from Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue."  This song pretty-well summed up my feeling after 9/11.

Now this nation that I love has fallen under attack
A mighty sucker punch came flying out from somewhere in the back
Soon as we could see clearly through our big black eye
Man, we lit up your world like the 4th of July.

Hey, Uncle Sam put your name at the top of his list
And the Statue of Liberty is shaking her fist
And the eagle will fly and it's gonna be hell
When you hear Mother Freedom start ringing her bell
And it'll feel like the whole world is raining down on you
Brought to you, courtesy of the Red, White & Blue.

Justice will be served and the battle will rage
This big dog will fight when you rattle his cage
And you'll be sorry that you messed with the U.S. of A.
'Cause we'll put a boot up your ass, it's the American Way.

Thanks Toby, I Needed That Back Then.   Still Do.

Civil War Naval Songs

A 52-minute CD from 2011 with 13 songs with a 32-page booklet, featuring northern, southern and British songs.

1.  The Fight of the Hatteras and Alabama
2.  The Jamestown Homeward Bound
3.  Farragut's Ball
4.  The Florida's Cruise
5.  The Old Virginia Lowlands, Low

6.  The Blockade Runner
7.  The Bold Privateer
8.  A Yankee Man-of-War
9.  The Sailor's Grave
10.  The Brooklyn, Sloop-of-War

11.  The Alabama
12.  The Fate of the Pirate Alabama
13.  The Monitor & Merrimac

Old B-R'er