Fort Fisher - Civil War Battle
The Confederacy took control of the neck of land in southern North Carolina near the Cape Fear River at the onset of the war. From here they were able to keep the Union blockade away, keep the port open, and protect Wilmington. Confederate steamers, blockade runners, were able to smuggle provisions into the Southern states and supply General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia with goods from Bermuda, Bahamas and Nova Scotia where cotton and tobacco could be exchanged for food, clothing and munitions.
It was one of the last remaining routes open in January, 1865, when Fort Fisher fell after a huge amphibious assault which lasted two and half days involving 85 ships and 3,300 Union infantrymen including the 27th U.S. Colored Troops. With Fort Fisher in the hands of the Union, the destiny of the Confederacy was sealed. It was the beginning of the end for the Confederacy.
Saturday the wind blew mightily. I was outside the entire day wrapped in my red cloak, signing a bunch of books. As usually happens, someone offers to buy my cloak while I’m wearing it! I was so glad I’d brought my leather gloves. Sunday rain was promised and I made arrangements to be inside the visitor center. It poured. I couldn’t imagine anyone would come, but I was wrong! One person who came was a writer friend I’d met a couple years ago at a conference at LMU. She lives in Charlotte and was visiting in Wilmington so she came out to the beach for a quick visit. So lovely when that happens. It’s what I love about selling books, it’s the people who become friends along the way. On Thursday I’ll tell you about some of them. History class dismissed.