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Fort Fisher Fall After Fierce January Assault
Skeletons of a number being visible now at low tide along the miles of beach. Fort Fisher withstood the first great bombardment, but was taken on the night of January 15 1865 after a sea and land assault from January 13. The fight raged until 9 PM with hand to hand combat across traverses. Lt. General Braxton Bragg commanded the Confederate defense. Major John Keilley, Colonel Lamb, and Captain Whiting were key figures. The fort's garrison of 1900 North Carolinians faced 10,000 Federal troops and 600 fleet guns. Whiting died later at Fort Columbus. Lamb survived the siege but was wounded, vowing not to surrender. The ruins remain a vivid reminder of one of the war’s notable defenses and the praise from both sides for the assault.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fort Fisher
John Keilley
W. H. C. Whiting
Lamb
Buchanan
Wilmington
Braxton Bragg
Reilley
Whiting
Reilly
Battery Buchanan
War Department
Bragg
Col. Lamb
Fort Columbus
Norfolk
Fort Caswell
Fort Wisher
North