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Battles -
Battle Summaries
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| Battle Name: |
Fort Fisher I |
| Other Names: |
None |
| State: |
North Carolina |
| Location: |
New Hanover County |
| Campaign: |
Operations against Fort Fisher and Wilmington (January-February 1865) |
| Dates: |
January 13-15, 1865 |
| Principal Commanders: |
Rear Adm. David D. Porter and Maj. Gen. Alfred Terry [US]; Gen. Braxton Bragg, Maj.
Gen. Robert Hoke, and Col. Charles Lamb [CS] |
| Forces Engaged: |
Expeditionary Corps, Army of the James [US]; Hoke's Division and Fort Fisher Garrison [CS] |
| Estimated Casualties: |
2,000 total |
| Description: |
After the failure of his December expedition against Fort Fisher, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler was
relieved of command. Maj. Gen. Alfred Terry was placed in command of a "Provisional Corps," including Paine's
Division of U.S. Colored Troops, and supported by a naval force of nearly 60 vessels, to renew operations against
the fort. After a preliminary bombardment directed by Rear Adm. David D. Porter on January 13, Union forces
landed and prepared an attack on Maj. Gen. Robert Hoke's infantry line. On the 15th, a select force moved on the
fort from the rear. A valiant attack late in the afternoon, following the bloody repulse of a naval landing party
carried the parapet. The Confederate garrison surrendered, opening the way for a Federal thrust against
Wilmington, the South's last open seaport on the Atlantic coast. |
| Results: |
Union victory |
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