Many history buffs familiar with the Civil War in our area can list several well-known stories about the battles fought at Fort Fisher.
There was the ship Federals filled with powder and exploded near the massive earthworks. It did little more than wake a few soldiers from their slumber.
The story about Galusha Pennypacker, a Union officer who led a charge against the fort and personally planted his unit’s flag on the parapet gets a lot of attention. Pennypacker, who was wounded in that event, won the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery.
Diligent students can even tell you about the extensive use of U.S. Colored Troops in and around Wilmington, including Fort Fisher. But few can give you details about these troops.
To fill in the gaps of knowledge many of us have, the 145th anniversary of the second battle at Fort Fisher will feature several opportunities to learn about U.S. Colored Troops.
At 6 p.m. Friday in the Azalea Coast Room at the Fisher Student Center at University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 S. College Road, scholars will lead a free discussion titled “Black Men Bearing Freedom: U.S. Colored Troops and Their Impact on North Carolina.”
Topics in this category will include everything from recruitment of black soldiers by the Union army to their role in the service and post-war arguments for their citizenship.
other discussion will be held 3 p.m. Saturday at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site, 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd. South, Kure Beach. Dr. Richard Reid, author of “Freedom for Themselves: North Carolina’s Black Soldiers in the Civil War Era,” will talk about the U.S. Colored Troops that were in our area.
This year, several nighttime events are scheduled.
Thirty-minute tours by lantern-light will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The last tour will leave at 7:30 p.m.
At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, living history re-enactors will fire the fort’s 32-pound rifled and banded cannon, an impressive display of firepower set against the night sky.
Of course, Fort Fisher will be open with re-enactors,
encampments and demonstrations from 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday.
For more information call 458-5538 or go to www.NCHistoricSites.org/fisher/fisher.htm.
– Amy Hotz
www.starnewsonline.com