Second Battle of Fort Fisher

Second Battle of Fort Fisher Began: January 13, 1865 Ended: January 15, 1865 Location: New Hanover County, North Carolina Theater: Eastern Theater Campaign: Operations against Fort Fisher and Wilmington Outcome: Union victory Combatants Expeditionary Corps, Army of the James Hoke's Division Fort Fisher Garrison Commanders David D. Porter Rear Admiral, USN Alfred Terry Major General, USA Braxton Bragg General, CSA Robert Hoke Major General, CSA Charles Lamb Colonel, CSA Strength 9,632 1,900 Casualties 1,341 583 Remainder captured

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. (NPS summary)