CityView Magazine

travel Battle at the Beach G Visiting Fort Fisher brings the Civil War to life By Kelly Twedell oing to the beach usually means sun, sand and dining with family and friends. This summer why not make a point to stop somewhere new during your trip to the beach? Duck into some unfamiliar spot and you just might learn something, I sure did. Walking History at Fort Fisher's Battle Grounds The American Civil War's Confederate Fort Fisher came to life for me through Ray Flowers' story telling and walking tour of the historic site, which is often overlooked by pleasure seekers on weekend trips. Flowers, a tour guide, is a native of Wilmington and, from the enthusiasm he has for sharing the site's history, it's clear that Fort Fisher is more than just a job for him. Fort Fisher protected the vital trading routes of the port at Wilmington from 1861 until its capture by Union forces in 1865. With 682 yards from river to sea, 21 heavy guns across the land face the six tall mounds of dirt and grass still intact today. The land and structures at Fort Fisher stand as a testament to the bloody battle that was lost there. Take in the wind-battered live oaks, then close your eyes and breathe in the salty air, and you can imagine the 23 heavy guns that once lined the waterfront from the fort to where the aquarium stands today, according to reports left by Colonel William Lamb. Although not trained as an engineer, Lamb spent most of the next two years working successfully to build the fort into the Confederacy's largest bastion. On Independence Day in 1862 Colonel Lamb took command at Fort Fisher, and just in the nick of time, too. The week before Lamb's ship, the Blockade Runner, arrived loaded down with rifles, cannons, gunpowder and anything the troops might need for battle, the entire garrison had gone on an old-fashioned booze bender. Lamb's first task was to restore order. By early 1865 the war had escalated and Fort Fisher was under heavy attack. At approximately 3:20 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, 1865 the Union Army signaled the Union Navy to ceasefire. The barrage of fire halted for five minutes before the Union Navy continued and 2,200 strong charged down the beach in a column striking the northeast corner of the fort, while the Federal Infantry stepped up their game, as well. The assaulting forces were initially three waves strong in each brigade, behind the waves of 900, 1,100 and 1,700 soldiers that came in with targets predetermined, trying to strike the endmost gun in placement on the Fort, all while under gunfire crossing the marsh. The Federal forces were bolstered by 2,200 sailors and Marines, and 3,700 troops in the initial brigade,

• Cover