The Fight for Fort Fisher--Austin Civil War Round Table October Meeting
 

With the sealing of Mobile by Union Admiral David Farragut in August 1864, the only major seaport available to the Confederates was Wilmington North Carolina, located about 20 miles up the Cape Fear River. The key to Wilmington was the massive Fort Fisher, named for Colonel Charles F. Fisher of the 6th North Carolina infantry who was killed at First Manassas.

The two Union attacks in December 1864 and January 1865 were the largest combined army-navel operations in the Civil War. The support of Admiral David Dixon Porter and his ships firing at very close range in the second attack was key, as almost all the Southern guns were destroyed or disabled.

Soldiers and sailors on both sides fought bravely, including Colonel William Lamb, who commanded Fort Fisher with the help of General W. H. C. Whiting, both of whom were wounded and captured.

Infamous Confederate General Braxton Bragg added to the case that he was the worst Confederate general of the war by refusing to reinforce Fort Fisher with troops he held back to defend Wilmington, which was worthless without the fort that defended the Cape Fear River mouth.

With the fall of Fort Fisher, General Winfield Scott's Anaconda Plan was fully implemented and the Confederacy would die in a matter of months.

Our speaker tonight on this subject was the very knowledgeable and interesting Dr. Richard McCaslin of the University of North Texas and the author of the 2003 book The Last Stronghold: The Campaign for Fort Fisher.