Monday, December 22, 2014

December 23, 1864---The First Battle of Fort Fisher (Day One)



DECEMBER 23, 1864:      

A Union battle fleet is standing off the North Carolina coast at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. It is there to take Wilmington, the last major port of the Confederacy. The city itself is 30 miles inland, but the approach to the city is guarded by powerful Fort Fisher.


The winter waters off the North Carolina coast are notoriously evil. The Union commanders are hoping to put Fort Fisher out of commission quickly so that they can avoid being swallowed up the gales that tear through the area. The swells in the area are already making operations hazardous. To this end they come up with what they think is a clever ruse: They load the U.S.S. LOUISIANA with explosives, disguise her as a blockade runner, and steer the ship close (but not close enough) to Fort Fisher before they abandon her. The explosion is massive, but it does little more than scorch the seaward face of the fort. 


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