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The Dispatch
A Monthly Journal of WCWA News
Vol. 9, Issue 1 Everett, WA January, 2015
In This Issue
Pages 1-4 The Second Battle
of Fort Fisher
Page 5 New Year’s Greeting
Page 6-7 Advertising
Page 8-9 2015 Event Schedule
Page 10-11 Contact List
WCWA January Events
Jan 17—General Board
Meeting
The Second Battle of Fort Fisher Submittted by Rhett Keanrs
The Capture of Fort Fisher, Color Lithograph, Louis Prang & Co., 1887
The Armstrong Cannon is depicted here.
When January of the last year of the war rolled around, it was inevitable that the Southern
Confederacy was succumbing to lack of supply to keep its armies clothed and fed. The city of
Wilmington, on the southeast corner of North Carolina, was the last open sea port that was
taking in blockade runners, which were loaded with much needed supplies from Great Britain.
The Northern high command theorized that the fall of this port would result in Robert E. Lee’s
Army of Northern Virginia supply chain being cut off, therefore ending the war with one more
swift stroke.
Obviously, the Union army and navy could not just simply waltz right into Wilmington, because
for the previous four years, one major obstacle stood in their way; the indomitable Fort Fisher.
This monster of a fort was not the great big powerful brick and mortar building that people
might envision a 19th century fortress today, but rather, it was mostly constructed of sand and
dirt. As mentioned in Part 1 of this article, Colonel William Lamb had observed sand forts
during the Crimean War in the 1850’s, and in 1862, he carried his ideas over to the Carolina
coast. Lamb named his project after Colonel Charles Fisher, who was remembered as the first
officer of North Carolina to be killed while facing the invader, during the First Battle of
Manassas in July, 1861. For over three years, this thin strip of beach and sandy hills would
become nicknamed, “The Gibraltar of the South,” and for good reason.
January, 2015 The Dispatch Page 2
2014 WCWA
Administrative Board
Chairman:
Rich Bright, Acting
Vice Chair:
Carnan Bergran
Secretary:
Kevin Saville,
Treasurer:
Anna Flores,
US Battalion Commander:
Alan Geho
CS Battalion Commander:
Rob LeCocq
US Civilian Coordinator:
Sharron Lawler
CS Civilian Coordinator:
Merilee Rehfield
The Second Battle of Fort Fisher (continued) Submittted by Rhett Keanrs
Over 15 mounds of sand and 25 seacoast artillery pieces made up the land face of the Fort, with
an underground network within that could not be penetrated by enemy shells. Over a mile of
sand and 22 cannon made up the sea face, plus “Battery Buchanan” to the rear that would later
fire on Federal troops as they took the land face. The mixture of Columbiad, Parrott, Blakely,
Brooke, and Armstrong cannons kept blockading naval vessels well away from the mouth of the
Cape Fear River. British guns served the Confederacy well throughout the war. The Armstrong
cannon, its tube weighing 16,000 pounds, could fire a 150-pound shell up to five miles away
with deadly accuracy. Union high command knew that this nut was not going to be cracked by a
small fleet of gunboats and a brigade of landing forces like the attempt last time in December.
Thanks to Benjamin F. Butler’s abysmal failure the previous month, a new replacing general was
needed to take charge of the coming expedition. Major General Alfred H. Terry, whom had
demonstrated his capable leadership during the assault on Fort Wagner (1863) in South Carolina
and the Battle of New Market Heights (1864), was the choice. Admiral David D. Porter was to
command the massive 56-warship fleet—the largest ever devised until Operation Overlord in
June of 1944. On January 12th, the largest bombardment in United States history, until World
War I, ensued. 8,000 Union soldiers and Marines landed the next day, later followed by 2,000
armed Navy personnel and engineers.
On the 15th, the assault began. By this time, most of the Confederate guns in the fort had been
disabled or shot away. The roughly 8,000-man garrison, including the sick and wounded, fought
tooth and nail when the Yankee forces axed their way through the wooden fence, and flanked to
the open sally port at the very end of the land face. During the first battle, on the 24th of
December, in an event that paid homage to the Battle of Fort Sumter nearly four years earlier,
Private Christopher C. Bland, 2nd NC Heavy Artillery, twice climbed the flag pole to reattach the
colors that had been shot away. Despite his broken leg from shrapnel, in this second battle,
Bland continued to fight. He was only 19 years old at the time.
Inch by inch, the Union soldiers clamored over each sand mound, taking both musket and
cannon fire from their flanks and suffering heavy casualties. Both Major General William H. C.
Whiting, commander of North Carolina’s defenses, and Colonel Lamb, commander of the fort,
personally led counterattacks against the enemy, but were repulsed with both men wounded.
The battle raged for hours, until after 9:00 PM, the wounded Whiting and Lamb were evacuated
with what remained of the garrison to Battery Buchannan. By this time, the Fort was mostly in
enemy hands, and a division of United States Colored Troops were sent to spearhead the assault
on the remaining Battery. But before this could happen, the white flag was raised. Around 10:00
PM, Terry rode to the Battery to accept the surrender from General Whiting.
After over 40,000 shells fired, and nearly 2,000 dead, wounded, or missing, Fort Fisher’s guns fell
silent. Despite the numbers of forces deployed being relatively even, the Confederate defenders
inflicted over 1,300 casualties while only sustaining less than 600 themselves. Nevertheless, the
Fort was in Union hands. Wilmington would fall later next month, on February 22nd, 1865. The
fate of the Confederacy was sealed.
January, 2015 The Dispatch Page 3
2014 WCWA Board
Administrative
Assistants
Membership Coordinator:
Sharron Bortz
Event Planning:
Howard Struve
Insurance Coordinator
David Imburgia
Publicity Coordinator
John Strand
Dispatch Editor
Elizabeth Sier
Webmaster
Rich Bright
Sutler Coordinator
Norm Harriman
Recruiting Coordinator
Ruben Flores
Check out the
WCWA Website
www.wcwa.net
Reciprocity
Organization
Northwest Civil War
Council (NWCWC)
Oregon
www.nwcwc.org
The Second Battle of Fort Fisher (continued) Submittted by Rhett Keanrs
However, unfortunately for the Union soldiers, the South got the last laugh: Just before sunrise
on the day after their victory, a terrific explosion of the Fort’s magazine killed over 200 Federal
troops. The soldiers who survived blamed it on Confederate saboteurs, but an investigation
concluded that it was the result of drunken celebration on the part of the victors.
General Whiting would later die on April 10th of his wounds received during battle. Colonel
Lamb survived his wounds, and years after the war, would become good friends with his former
enemy, General Terry.
Today, only about 10% of Fort Fisher remains. Decades of erosion have ebbed away at the fort
until conservationists decided to put a rock wall on the nearby beach to prevent further
deterioration. Most of the fort, including the sea face, is submerged just a few hundred yards
off the coast. Ten of the land face sand mounds are left, and allowing the Army Air Corps to
pave a runway right through the middle of it in the 1940’s sure didn’t help either. Some of the
cannons that existed during the war were melted down for scrap metal during World War II
(How’s all that for conservation?). As for the Armstrong cannon, it was hauled away after the
battle, thus being displayed as a war trophy at West Point Military Academy. Once labeled the
“Pride of Fort Fisher” was now the “Pride of West Point.” Annual reenactments take place to
commemorate the lives of the soldiers, the battle, and the memory of such an important piece
of history.
(Sources used for these two articles are provided by the author’s frequent visits to Fort Fisher North Caro-
lina Historic Site, and My Friend The Enemy. The Battle at Fort Fisher as Recalled by Colonel Lamb, CSA &
General Curtis, USA)
Part of the Sea Face after the battle, spent naval shells litter the beach.
Reenactors fire the 32 lb
Columbiad as part of their
demonstrations. An
entrance to the
bombproof network is to
the bottom left of the
image
January, 2015 The Dispatch Page 4
The Second Battle of Fort Fisher (Continued) Submittted by Rhett Keanrs
January, 2015 The Dispatch Page 5
The Dispatch Advertising
Submit your ads and let the Dispatch work for you. This is a free service for WCWA members. Ads will be run for four months and then removed. If the item sells before that, or you wish to run your ad for another four months, please contact the Editor. Thank you.
LONGHORN LEATHER
Handcrafted quality leather goods
for the serious re-enactor.
Custom work available.
Lee McKewen, Maker
509-627-1330
January, 2015 The Dispatch Page 6
FOR SALE
1853 .58 cal Euro Arms Enfield.
It's been used approximately two times and looks brand new.
The only thing is that it is missing a screw in the hammer,
which is easily replaced.
I'm asking $700.
Contact Kara Conrad, [email protected] or 509-276-2716
Ever want to ride like the wind?
Trade in your brogans fer boots?
Cavalry is looking for new
riders, or Dismounts!
We will help you, if you are willing!
3rd WV has 2 horses available,
with no rider assigned.
Contact 3rd WV CAV,
at 509-910-4638
The Dispatch Advertising (continued)
January, 2015 The Dispatch Page 7
PUGET SOUND CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE
Everyone is welcome!
On the 2nd Thursday of the month, January 8th, Frank Williams will discuss Abraham Lincoln. Retired Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, he is a well-known Lincoln expert, scholar and collector, the
founding chair of The Lincoln Forum, a board member of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation, the
author of many articles, and the author or editor of more than a dozen books, including Lincoln as Hero (Concise
Lincoln Library) , Judging Lincoln, The Emancipation Proclamation: Three Views (Conflicting Worlds) , and
Lincoln Lessons: Reflections on America's Greatest Leader .
The PSCWRT provides a venue for enthusiasts to learn more about the American Civil War. We schedule
presentations from a variety of historians, scholars and authors as well as promote the preservation of Civil War
battlefields. Our monthly dinner meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month. We start with a social
hour at 6:00, followed by dinner at 7:00 and program at 8:00. We meet at the China Harbor restaurant on Lake
Union in Seattle
Make your dinner reservation online at www.pscwrt.org
or email to Rod Cameron at [email protected]
The 11th Mississippi is a new and
growing unit. If you are looking for a unit
in which to have fun, this is the one.
Contact 1st Lt. George Sier
at 425-308-1224
A-TENTS / MUSKETS NEEDED
The 11th Mississippi is looking for A-Tents,
as well as working muskets,
for our unit members .
If you have an item you no longer use,
please contact
George at 425-308-1224
WCWA 2015 Approved Event Schedule
January 17, 10:30 to 1:00, General Board Meeting, Snoqualmie City Hall, 38624 SE River Street, Snoqualmie WA
98065, and Spokane County Argonne Library, 4322 N Argonne RD, Spokane WA 99212 (Approve 2015
operating budget)
February, no General Board Meeting
March 21, 10:30 to 1:00, General Board Meeting, west side TBD and Spokane County Argonne Library, 4322 N
Argonne RD, Spokane WA 99212
April 18, General Membership and Board Meeting 10:00 to 1:00, Classes and Training 2:00 to 4:00, and
Potluck Militia Ball 5:00 to 9:00. $10 per person and $30 per family for Potluck Militia Ball. Sallal Grange #955,
12912 432nd Ave SE, North Bend WA 98045
April date to be determined, Chehalis Veteran’s Memorial Museum Civil War history event commemorating
Appomattox, Sanctioned. Contact Rusty Starr, [email protected], (425)743-9851.
April 25-26 or May 2-3, Fort Simcoe Living History/School of the Re-enactor, Sanctioned (skirmish). Contact Shane
Colgazier, [email protected], (253)851-5108.
May 9, 10:30 to 1:00, General Board Meeting, west side TBD and Spokane County Argonne Library, 4322 N
Argonne RD, Spokane WA 99212
May, date to be determined, Hovander/Ferndale School Event, Sanctioned (firing demo). Contact Karrin Porret,
[email protected], (360) 384-3089.
May 16, Lilac Day/Armed Forces Day, Spokane, Sanctioned (no skirmish). Contact Lisa Tharp,
[email protected] (509) 998-9136.
May 16, Fort Lewis Armed Forces Day, JBLM / Ft. Lewis, Sanctioned (skirmish). Contact Kevin Saville,
[email protected], (360) 292-0966.
May 16, Bremerton Armed Forces Day Parade, Bremerton, Sanctioned (no skirmish). Contact Howard Struve,
[email protected], (360) 874-8548.
May 23-25, Battle of Deep Creek, Medical Lake, WA. (near Spokane), sponsored public battle. Contact Bob
Davisson, [email protected], evenings (509) 995-8619.
June 6-7, Fort Walla Walla Living History Event, Walla Walla, WA. (near Spokane) sanctioned skirmish. Contact
Darna & Gary Michie, [email protected], (509)-233-8912.
June, no General Board Meeting
June 20-21, Battle at Fullbright Park, Union Gap, sponsored public battle. Contact Rich Bright,
[email protected], (509) 910-4638.
January, 2015 The Dispatch Page 8
WCWA 2015 Approved Event Schedule (continued)
J
July 4, 4th of July Parade, Centrailia/Chehalis, Sanctioned (no skirmish). Contact Rusty Starr, [email protected],
(425) 743-9851; or Kevin Saville, [email protected], (360) 292-0966. July 10-12, Little Diamond KOA resort, Newport, WA (near Spokane), sanctioned skirmish. Darna & Gary Michie,
[email protected], (509)-233-8912.
July 11, 10:30 to 1:00, General Board Meeting, locations TBD (Appoint election coordinator)
July 25-26, Battle of Chehalis River, Chehalis, sponsored public battle. Contact Kevin Saville, [email protected], (360) 292-0966;
or Rusty Starr, [email protected], (425) 743-9851.
August 15, tentative General Board Meeting and Echoes of Blue and Gray, Evergreen Cemetery, Everett, sanctioned skirmish.
One day battle event followed by the memorial service. Contact Bruce Smith, [email protected], 425-483-0351.
August 29-30, Battle of Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie, sponsored public battle. Contact Paul Timmerman, [email protected],
(425) 894-5010.
September 5, 10:30 to 1:00, General Board Meeting, locations TBD (Present draft of the 2016 event schedule)
September 12, Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad Living History, Elbe WA, sanctioned skirmish. Contact Larry Wendt,
September 19-20, Kennewick Living History Event, Kennewick, sanctioned skirmish. Contact Rich Bright, bright-
[email protected], (509) 910-4638.
October 17, 10:30 to 1:00, General Board Meeting, locations TBD (Vote on the 2016 event schedule)
November 7, Veteran’s Day Parade, Auburn, sanctioned. Contact C.B. Zohn, (206) 909-7831.
November 14, 10:30 to 1:00, General Board Meeting, Snoqualmie City Hall, 38624 SE River Street, Snoqualmie WA 98065, and
Spokane County Argonne Library, 4322 N Argonne RD, Spokane WA 99212 (Announce WCWA Administration Board Elec-
tion results)
December, no General Board Meeting
January, 2015 The Dispatch Page 9
2014 WCWA Contact List
January, 2015 The Dispatch Page 10
NOTE: Unit type indicated by ART=Artillery, CIV=Civilian, INF=Infantry, MUL=Multibranch, SU=Special Unit, SG= Special Group, NV=Nonvoting, PROB=Unit on probation and not able to vote.
NOTE: Bold, italicized names are not indicated to be current 2014 members of the WCWA.
Position/Company Name/Contact Phone Email
Administrative Board (Elected WCWA Officers)
Chair Rich Bright 509-910-4638 [email protected]
Vice Chair Carnan Bergram 509-679-9416 [email protected]
Secretary Kevin Saville 360-292-0966 [email protected]
Treasurer Anna Flores 206-276-4769 [email protected]
Confederate Brigade Commander Lt. Col. Rob LeCocq 360-380-6262 [email protected]
Federal Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Alan Marshall Geho 509-985-9135 [email protected]
Confederate Civilian Community Leader Merille Rehfield 509-307-2134 [email protected]
Union Civilian Community Leader Sharron Lawler [email protected]
Administrative Assistants (Appointed)
Membership Coordinator Sharron Bortz [email protected]
Event Planning Coordinator Howard Struve 360-874-8548 [email protected]
Insurance Coordinator David Imburgia 360-733-2663 [email protected]
Publicity Coordinator John Strand H 206-678-4123 C 206-293-9528
Dispatch Newsletter Editor Elizabeth Sier 425-308-7963 [email protected]
Webmaster Rich Bright 509-910-4638 [email protected]
Sutler Coordinator Norm Harriman 360-966-5132 [email protected]
Recruiting Ruben Flores 206-276-0803 [email protected]
Civilian Communities (Voting General Board consists of full strength unit representatives)
Mason-Dixon Township CIV Marilee Rehfield 509-307-2134 [email protected]
Union Civilian Corps CIV PROB Nicole Spellman 509-731-5319 [email protected]
Confederate Brigade Staff
Brigade Commander Lt. Col. Rob LeCocq 360-380-6262 [email protected]
Chief of Staff / Brigade XO Maj. Marc "T.D." Williams 206-914-1162 [email protected]
Parson Maj. Danny Dougall 208-659-7473 [email protected]
Chief of Infantry / 1st Div. Cdr. Maj. A.D. Brubaker 509-679-9416 [email protected]
Carolina Legion Cdr. Maj. Norm Harriman 360-966-5132 [email protected]
Adjutant 1st Lt. Allen Farrand 509-878-1181 [email protected]
Sergeant Major SGM Bill McGill 604-826-2404 [email protected]
Chief of Cavalry Capt. Richard J. Callesto 509-953-3804 [email protected]
Chief of Artillery Capt. Tony Holloway 509-475-4728 [email protected]
Confederate Units (Voting General Board consists of full strength unit representatives)
1st C.S. Engineers SPC 2nd Lt. Ben Goodmansen 509-263-9638 [email protected]
1st Texas Infantry INF. Capt. Rick Montoya 509-924-4351 [email protected]
1st Virginia Cavalry CAV Capt. Richard J. Callesto Jr. 509-953-3804 [email protected]
2nd South Carolina Infantry INF PROB 2nd Lt. Strider Yocum 360-928-9730 [email protected]
7th South Carolina Infantry INF 2nd Lt. George Larson 253-468-4516 [email protected]
11th Mississippi Infantry INF 1st Lt. George Sier 425-308-1224 [email protected]
11th Mississippi Infantry INF 1st Sgt. Austin Rice 410-980-8146 [email protected]
14th Virginia Cavalry CAV 1st Lt. Jason Williams 509-951-0013 [email protected]
14th Virginia Cavalry CAV 1st Sgt. Bob Davisson 509-995-8619 [email protected]
15th Alabama Infantry INF Capt. David Imburgia 360-733-2663 [email protected]
21st North Carolina Infantry INF PROB 1st Lt. Dallas Claypool 208-914-3690 [email protected]
26th North Carolina Infantry INF 1st Lt. Dan Russo 360-721-6899 [email protected]
C.S. Medical Department SU PROB Maj. C. Martinelli 425-299-5072 [email protected]
C.S.S. Sumter Marines ART 1st Lt. Roy Houston 360-691-4965 [email protected]
Irish Jasper Greens INF 2nd Lt. Marc Williams 206-914-1162 [email protected]
Pelham's Battery ART Kyle Thelin 253-271-7669 [email protected]
Stanford's Mississippi Battery ART Capt. Dave Lynam 360-830-9677 [email protected]
Virginia Military Institute SG NV (Special Group sponsored by 1st Texas Inf.)
Capt. C. B. Miller-Zohn 206-909-7831 [email protected]
January, 2015 The Dispatch Page 11
If you note any information on the contact pages that is not current, please contact Kevin Saville, WCWA Secretary, so those needed
updates can be done. Thank you.
Federal Battalion
Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Alan Marshall Geho H 509-671-9988 C 509-985-9135
Wing Commander Capt. Ryan Wilder 509-731-9331 [email protected]
Wing Commander Capt. Shane Colglazier 253-851-5108 [email protected]
Adjutant 1st Lt. John Strand H 206-678-4123 C 206-293-9528
Chief of Staff 1st Lt. Larry Graham [email protected]
Sergeant Major Sgt. Maj. Dan Rike 452-422-0323 [email protected]
2nd Sergeant 2nd Sgt. Earl Simmonds 541-409-1293 [email protected]
Battalion Chaplain Capt. Phil DuFrene 360-510-5123 [email protected]
Telegraph Superintendent 1st. Lt. Kevin Saville 360-292-0966 [email protected]
Federal Battalion (Voting General Board consists of full strength unit representatives)
1st Illinois Light Artillery Reg't. ART Capt. Larry Beckett 778-998-8004 [email protected]
1st Michigan Light Artillery ART Maj. Gary Michie 509-233-8912 [email protected]
1st U.S. Cavalry CAV 1st Lt. Shawn Strutton 541-401-2412 [email protected]
2nd U.S. Sharpshooters INF Capt. Nicky Brown 503 707-4129 [email protected]
3rd Michigan Infantry INF 2nd Lt. Bryan Tafoya 509-796-4446 [email protected]
3rd West Virginia Cavalry CAV Capt. Rich Bright 509-910-4638 [email protected]
4th U.S. Infantry INF 2nd Lt. Brad Jones 206-383-7090 [email protected]
4th U.S. Infantry INF (2nd contact) Sgt. Carl Hicks, Recruiter [email protected]
7th Wisconsin Infantry INF PROB Capt. John Leyde 360-652-5397 [email protected]
11th Pennsylvania Infantry INF Capt. Corey Stinson 425-530-8695 [email protected]
11th Pennsylvania Infantry INF (2nd contact) Chair/1st Sgt. Adam Carter 253-970-4685 [email protected]
12th U.S. Infantry INF 1st Sgt. Bruce Frazier 509-698-5678 [email protected]
20th Maine Infantry INF Capt. Paul Timmerman 425-894-5010 [email protected]
20th Maine Infantry INF (2nd contact) Chair Bob Ballard 425-894-6663 [email protected]
79th New York Infantry INF. 2nd Lt. William McKnight 503-360-3139 [email protected]
100th Pennsylvania Infantry INF Capt. Corey Robinson 360-918-3970
100th Pennsylvania Infantry INF (second contact) Sgt. Johnny Joyce 253-846-8958 [email protected]
Keystone Battery ART 1st Lt. Ron Evans 509-659-0594 [email protected]
U.S. Marines INF PROB 2nd Lt. Loren Womack 206-937-3285 [email protected]
U.S. Medical Department SPC Maj. Mike Inman 509-328-2467 [email protected]
U.S.S. Tahoma Naval Artillery ART Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Grinsell 360-697-3137 [email protected]
U.S.S. Tahoma Marines INF Capt. Howard Struve 360-874-8548 [email protected]
Dashaway Club SG NV (Special Group spons. by U.S. Medical Dept.)
Stephen Howard 509-842-2156 [email protected]
AoC Fife and Drum Corps SG NV (Special Group sponsored by 20th Maine Inf.)
Sgt. Dennis Lawler 360-620-3287 [email protected]
2014 WCWA Contact List (continued)
Washington Civil War Association
Presenting the Past to
Preserve the Future
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