145th Anniversary, Attack on Fort Fisher.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site,

Kure Beach, North Carolina

The 79th was invited to take part in the reenactment of the second attack on Fort Fisher. The fort, located below Wimington, defended the city and protected blockade runners entering the port.

Our role, along with the other units in the battalion, was to storm the walls of the fort and to push the defenders off, while the other battalion attacked down the wooden causeway and hit the side of the fort.

The battle started off with the 79th taking up a skirmish line in the area in front of the fort. We engaged the Rebel troops on top of the parapets, and attempted to eliminate the gun crews in the artillery battery to our front.

Under fire from the fort guns, and the garrison, the two lines of the skirmish formation alternated to allow for the troops to reload their ammunition and take a breather.

In front of the fort's sand walls was a log palisade, as was at the original fort. The 79th advanced through the palisade in two platoons, the first platoon covering the second as they advanced to the base of the fort.

With a yell, the unit scrambled up the wall, the Confederates firing in defense. Once atop the wall, the unit redeployed a platoon to cover our flank from the defenders.

Behind the unit, the other Federal battalions were spreading out to engage the Rebels and firing at Confederate troops inside the walls.  

The fort consisted of a wall, with larger sand mounds atop the walls as large openings for the artillery, and as protection from incoming fire. The 79th climbed to the top of one of these sand mounds, and finally helped pushed the defenders out.

As the battle drew to a close, the sounds of taps rang out across the fort, in remembrance of those who fought at Fisher in the war.

After the battle, the Federals marched out to dress parade in front of the commander.