Until the last few months of the Civil War, Fort Fisher kept North Carolina's port of Wilmington open to blockade-runners supplying necessary goods to Confederate armies inland. By 1865, the supply line through Wilmington was the last remaining supply route open to Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. When Ft. Fisher fell after a massive Federal amphibious assault on January 15, 1865, its defeat helped seal the fate of the Confederacy. Continued
The Site
- Site Overview
- Historical Gallery
- Exhibits
- Exhibit Photos
- Fiber-Optic Battle Map
- Site Area Map
- Tour Map Front
- Tour Map Back
- Other Websites
- Eastern Regional Map
- The Powder Magazine Spring 2012
The Port
- Wilmington
- The River Defenses
- The Cape Fear Estuary and Approaches to Wilmington
- Confederate Map of Civil War Wilmington
- Federal Map of Civil War Wilmington
- Running the Blockade
The Fort
The Civil War at Ft. Fisher
Politics
1st Attack
- The Powder Vessel
- Battle Chronology
- Casualties and Other Numbers
- Union Command Gallery
- Confederate Command Gallery
2nd Attack
- Battle Chronology
- Casualties and Other Numbers
- Union Command Gallery
- Confederate Command Gallery
- Black Troops at Ft. Fisher
Battle Maps
- Bombardment of Ft. Fisher
- Opposing Lines on Federal Point
- Attack of Federal Sailors and Marines
- Federal Infantry Attack
- Advance of Abbott's Brigade
- Surrender at Battery Buchanan
Aftermath
The Forces
WWII
New/Upcoming
- June 9: Second Saturdays Program: Model Miltary: Visualizing History In Scale
Saturday 10am - 4pm.
Fort Fisher's 2nd Saturday program for June will spotlight the use of models and miniatures in creating history in a scale format. Visit Fort Fisher and view items created by the Eastern Carolina Plastic Modelers and local artisans. During the day, discussions will be held on research and hobby tips. Periodically, the site's 12-pound Napolean cannon will be fired. Costumed tours of the remaining earthworks will also be given at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The program is free. Donations are welcomed and appreciated. For more information, call 910-458-5538.
- July 14: 2nd Saturdays Program: Yellow Fever, 1862: Wilmington, Fort Fisher, and the Civil War
Saturday 10am - 4pm.
Fort Fisher's 2nd Saturday program for July will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Yellow Fever outbreak in Wilmington. Civil War medical re-enactors will set up displays of medical instruments and talk with visitors about the medical care during the Civil War for soldiers, sailors and civilians. We have scheduled authors to discuss the Yellow Fever outbreak that devastated Wilmington in the fall of 1862. Costumed tours of the remaining earthworks will also be given at 11 am and 3 pm. The program is free. Donations are always appreciated. For more information, call 910-458-5538. - August 11: 2nd Saturdays Program: Spies, Signals, and Secrets: Civil War Communication
Saturday 10am - 4pm.
This program will focus on moving information during the War, and include a discussion of Rose O'Neal Greenhow, a spy for the Confederacy. There will be hands-on activities such as learning the signal flag alphabet, and using cipher disks. Costumed tours of the remaining earthworks will also be given at 11 am and 3 pm. The program is free. Donations are kindly accepted.
Fort Fisher Information
Contact Us
Ft. Fisher
P.O. Box 169
1610 Ft. Fisher Blvd South
Kure Beach, N.C. 28449
Phone: (910) 458-5538
Fax: (910) 458-0477
Email: fisher@ncdcr.gov
Hours of Operation
Memorial Day through Labor Day
Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday 1-5 p.m.
Closed Monday.
Off Season
Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday and Monday and most major state holidays.
Admission
No admission fees. There is a suggested donation at some special events.