On January 15-17, 2010, Fort Fisher State Historic Site will commemorate the 2nd Battle of Fort Fisher with battle scenarios, artillery and infantry demonstrations, lantern light tours, academic lectures and more. The event will begin on Friday evening, Jan. 15, 2010, with a panel discussion on the experiences of United States Colored Troops. This discussion is co-hosted by the Upperman African American Cultural Center and will be held at UNC-Wilmington. The capture of Shepherd’s Battery will be recreated in a battle scenario on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Dr. Richard Reid, author of Freedom for Themselves: North Carolina’s Black Soldiers in the Civil War Era, will deliver a talk on Saturday, while Sunday afternoon is reserved for local authors. On Saturday evening, Jan. 16, 2010, visitors will experience the battle with firsthand accounts recited by costumed interpreters on lantern light tours. The evening program will conclude with a night firing of the 32 pound rifled and banded cannon atop Shepherd’s Battery. Infantry and artillery demonstrations will be presented throughout the program.
On Feb. 19-21, 2010, Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site will commemorate the fall of Fort Anderson and the Battle of Town Creek with battle scenarios, artillery and infantry demonstrations, civilian demonstrations, lantern tours, and lectures. The event will begin on Tuesday evening, Feb. 16, 2010 from 7-9 pm with a panel discussion focusing on the recent archaeological investigations at Fort Anderson. This is co-hosted by the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport and will be held at the Southport Community Center in Southport, NC. The fight for Fort Anderson will be recreated in a battle scenario on Saturday and the evacuation and capture of the fort will be recreated during lantern tours that same evening. The Battle of Town Creek will be recreated on Sunday afternoon.
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Fort Anderson
Fort Fisher and Fort Anderson were the two largest fortifications in the Cape Fear River defenses during the American Civil War. Fort Fisher, the largest earthen fortification in the Confederacy, once protected the port of Wilmington and the vital blockade-running trade on the Cape Fear River. After two massive bombardments the fort fell to a Union infantry assault on Jan.15, 1865. Fort Anderson, second in size to Fort Fisher, is one of the best preserved earthen fortifications to be found. Fort Anderson was captured on Feb. 19, 1865 after being bombarded by a Union Navy flotilla for nearly two weeks and nearly surrounded by a Union infantry force. With the capture of Forts Fisher and Anderson, Wilmington’s port was closed to foreign trade, and the city’s fate sealed.
All demonstrations are subject to change due to circumstances beyond the staff’s control. Admission is free, although donations are appreciated.