Battle of Fort Blakely

Battle of Fort Blakely Began: April 2, 1865 Ended: April 9, 1865 Location: Baldwin County, Alabama Theater: Western Theater Campaign: Mobile Campaign Outcome: Union victory Combatants XIII and XVI Corps Fort Blakely Garrison Commanders E.R.S. Canby Major General, USA St. John R. Liddell Brigadier General, CSA Strength Casualties 629 2,900

E.R.S. Canby’s forces, the XVI and XIII corps, moved along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, forcing the Confederates back into their defenses. Union forces then concentrated on Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. By April 1, Union forces had enveloped Spanish Fort, thereby releasing more troops to focus on Fort Blakely. Brig. Gen. St. John R. Liddell, with about 4,000 men, held out against the much larger Union force until Spanish Fort fell on April 8, allowing Canby to concentrate 16,000 men for the attack on April 9. Sheer numbers breached the Confederate earthworks compelling the Confederates to capitulate. The siege and capture of Fort Blakely was basically the last combined-force battle of the war. African-American forces played a major role in the successful Union assault. (NPS summary)