Battle of Fort Macon

Battle of Fort Macon Began: March 23, 1862 Ended: April 26, 1862 Location: Bogue Banks, Carteret County, North Carolina Theater: Eastern Theater Campaign: Burnside’s North Carolina Expedition Outcome: Union victory Combatants Parke’s Division Fort Macon Garrison Commanders John G. Parke Brigadier General, USA Moses J. White Lieutenant Colonel, CSA Strength 3259 2649 actually present for duty 450 263 actually ready for duty Casualties 15 Killed: 2 Wounded: 5 Captured: 8 424+ Killed: 8 Wounded: 16 Captured: 400 est.

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In late March, Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside’s army advanced on Fort Macon, a third system casemated masonry fort that commanded the channel to Beaufort, 35 miles southeast of New Berne. The Union force invested the fort with siege works and, on April 26, opened an accurate fire on the fort, which soon breached the masonry walls. Within a few hours the fort’s scarp began to collapse, and the Confederates hoisted a white flag. This action demonstrated the inadequacy of masonry forts against large-bore, rifled artillery. (NPS summary)