FORT FISHER S T A T E HISTORIC SITE The Powder Magazine SPECIAL POINTS OF VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2017 INTEREST

 Condor Heritage Dive Park (page 1 & 3)

 From the site manager (page 2)

 2017 Junior Reserves (page 4)

 2017 Beat the Heat Summer Lecture Series (page 5)

 New temporary exhibit to feature toy soldiers (page 7)

 Enter to win the Friends rifle raffle (page 6) NCDNCR Secretary Susi H. Hamilton to dedicate state’s premier Heritage Dive Site INSIDE THIS The Civil War blockade- ogy Branch (UAB) director John towards codifying this new ap- ISSUE: runner Condor Heritage Dive W. Morris, staff archaeologists proach to preserving our sub- Site represents a “first” in Gregory Stratton, Chris Souther- merged cultural resources through maritime his- ly and Nathan Henry, are training education and the creation of a

tory, public education, inter- volunteer divers from the diving sense of public stewardship. Docu- Picturing Fort 8 Fisher pretation and stewardship community centered around mentation will provide a quantifia- when dedicated on June 16 at ble baseline for monitoring the site Fort Fisher State Historic and how it changes through time Join the Friends 9 Site’s Battle Acre. for not only the wreck itself, but of Fort Fisher North Carolina Depart- also include the surrounding envi- ment of Natural and Cultural ronment. This will include monitor- Resources Secretary Susi H. ing environmental impact upon Fort Fisher goes 10 Hamilton, underwater archae- both the transitory depositional national...again ologists Gordon Watts and sand and the coquina substrate and John W. Morris and co- are ideal opportunities to expand sponsor Friends of Fort Fisher Wilmington, along with graduate public involvement in the conserva- will host local officials and the students from East Carolina Uni- tion and stewardship of these irre- public for inauguration of this versity’s Program in Maritime placeable submerged cultural re- first NC Heritage Dive Site. Studies (ECU). UAB staff, volun- sources. NC Underwater Archaeol- teers and students will work Continued on page 3 P A G E 2 From the site manager, Jim Steele...

Dear Friends: Memorial Day Weekend starts the summer tourism season at Fort Fisher. This will be my 11th Fort Fisher summer, and every year I have seen more and more visitors come to visit the “Gibraltar of the South.” This is a good thing, and the staff and volunteers here at Fort Fisher are ready to give our visitors a great experience. This summer we will continue the popular “Fort Fisher Junior Reserves” programs, which focus on children’s activities. The “Beat the Heat” lecture series by local historians also continues; if you like history you do not want to miss these. As always we have the Mary Holloway Seasonal Interpreter program, where a Civil War soldier takes people on a tour of the battlefield and closes with a musket demonstration. For this summer, Kaitlin O’Connor has returned to fill the position. Kaitlin interned at Fort Fisher last summer and did such a great job we were determined to have her back again. And a special tour, “Fort Fisher Above the Scenes” is ongoing. It is an opportunity to learn about Fort Fisher from site historian Ray Flowers and to go on top of the earthworks, from where the view is unsur- passed. To accommodate the increasing number of visitors, projected to reach one million annually by 2020, NC His- toric Sites and the Friends of Fort Fisher are working together to plan bigger and better facilities. In addition to a new interpretive center three times the size of the current facility, the site hopes to reconstruct the land face earthworks that were destroyed by airstrip construction during World War II. To see any of these plans come to fruition, we need you to get involved. The best thing you can do to help make Fort Fisher the best Civil War destination in the nation is to join the Friends of Fort Fisher. The Friends make everything we do here possible, and your support is needed. So please become a member and we look forward to seeing you here this summer!

Sincerely, Jim Steele

Fort Fisher staff members pitch in for regular maintenance of the site’s 32-pounder rifled and banded cannon. It takes as many as six adults to move the cannon even a few inches at a time. The cannon and cradle weigh more than six tons.

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Continued from page 1

NC UAB Archaeological Dive Supervisor Greg Stratton inspects machinery during a recent dive. Photo courtesy of NCDNCR.

Condor was launched in June 1864 out Inlet, by USS Niphon. Although the wreck of the Randolph,Saturday, Elder and April Company 30, 2016 was under the guns of Fort Fisher, a yard at Govan, Scotland. Condor de- boarding party from the Niphon set the parted Glasgow10 on am August at10, steamingBattle Acre vessel ablaze and took off most of the for Cork, Ireland to pick up a cargo of officers and crew before the Confederate military uniforms (Glasgow Herald 1864). garrison drove them from the stranded Condor had aboard at this time Mrs. vessel. On October 1, Condor attempted Rose O’Neal Greenhow, the famous to enter New Inlet and ran aground try- Confederate spy who had been in Eu- ing to avoid the wreck of Night Hawk. rope for the past year raising money Again, the guns of Fort Fisher prevented and awareness for the Confederate the destruction of the blockade runner. cause. Condor also had aboard Lt. Wil- Mrs. Greenhow, against advice from son, a surviving officer from the raider the captain and pilot, demanded to be put CSS AlabamaProgram. Condor sponsored left Cork Augustby Fort Fisher ashore by a small boat soon after the 13, bound for ,Chapter arriving 2325, thereUDC vessel ran aground. She drowned in the September 1. Instead of departing im- surf carrying gold meant for the Confed- mediately for a Southern port, Condor eracy. She was given a full military funeral proceeded to Halifax, to NCDNCR Secretary in Wilmington and is buried there in pick up coal, supplies and Confederate Susi H. Hamilton Oakdale Cemetery. Commissioner to Great Britain James We encourage readers and visitors to Holcombe. Holcombe had been in Hal- watch for more information on the Con- ifax for several months organizing trans- 24, steaming for Wilmington. What its dor Heritage Dive Site on the Friends portation for escaped Confederate pris- captain and pilot did not know was that website www.friendsoffortfisher.com and oners. on the night of 29 September 1864, the how you can help conserve this im- Condor departed Halifax September steamer Night Hawk was driven aground on Caroline Shoals, just outside New portant part of our maritime heritage. THE POWDER MAGAZINE P A G E 4

It’s summertime and that means time Again, this summer, members of the Livelery simulator. entertainment for Fort Fisher State Historic Site’s fifth North Carolina Underwater Archaeol- These Junior Reserves programs annual Junior Reserves family activities. ogy Lab will bring their equipment and would not be possible except The Junior Reserves programs create artifacts to set-up inside the museum. through the support we receive from hands-on educational and entertaining ac- the Friends of Fort Fisher. Additional tivities for kids of support is provided all ages and this by New Hanover year’s lineup is County, the town no exception. of Carolina Beach, Most important- and the town of ly, activities are Kure Beach. Come designed to tell on down to learn the history of some hands-on t h o s e w h o history and support served at Fort Fort Fisher and Fisher. help the Friends Along with ensure our pro- programs we’ve gramming contin- held in the past, ues every summer. one new pro- gram has been Junior Reserves added to the Schedule for 2017: Junior Reserves. June 16, 2017 All our Junior “The School of the Reserves pro- Soldier” grams happen June 21, 2017 from 10:00am to “Attention Can- 2:00pm on Fri- noneers!” days. Except our July 1, 2017 popular Toy Sol- “Toy Soldier dier Workshop Workshop” which has been July 7, 2017 moved to Satur- “Town Ball” day, July 1. This July 14, 2017 program helps “The Anti-Aircraft families learn Gunner” about the uni- July 21, 2017 forms and equip- “Archaeology: Dig- ment of the Civil ging through the War soldier while at the same time paint- Outside, hands-on activities will focus Past” ing their own plastic soldier to take home! on how they do their job and the role July 28, 2017 “Civil War Commu- In mid-July, a new activity will highlight Fort of Archaeologists in understanding Fort nications” Fisher’s World War II experience as an Fisher’s history. Then in August, learn August 4, 2017 “Protecting the Antiaircraft Artillery firing point. Find out if how Fort Fisher artillerists had to use Blockade Runners” you can hit the target and have what it math and science to target ships far out August 11, 2017 “The Soldiers Gar- takes to be an AAA gunner. at sea by using our water balloon artil- den”

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As the temperature heats up, Army historian, and John Falkenberry  July 22 Topic: Burrington, Dobbs, it’s time to beat the heat and listen director of the North Carolina United and Tryon: The Cape Fear’s Royal to a cool history seminar! Our Services Organization. Governors Speaker: Jack Fryer, His- summer speaker’s bureau has been These authors and historians will torian, Author, and Educator a popular addition to the seasonal examine topics that span over 200 years  July 29 Topic: The Twisted History activities at Fort Fisher. of Cape Fear History as well as the his- of North Carolina and the Civil War Due to the popularity of this tories of Fort Fisher, North Carolina and Speaker: Michael Hardy, Historian the United States. As in the past, those and Author speakers with books will be on-hand  August 5 Topic: The USO: 75th Years prior to, and after, their presentations to of Helping Our Military Speaker: meet with our guests and sign copies. John W. Falkenbury, President, USO So, “beat the heat” and learn some of North Carolina cool history, Saturday’s at 2:00pm in the  August 12 Topic: Welcoming Sher- E Gehrig Spencer Theater as the Friends man: Wilmington and the Cape Fear of Fort Fisher sponsor the 2017 “Beat Speaker: Wade Sokolosky, Historian the Heat Lecture Series. Below is our and Author 2017 Beat the Heat Summer Lecture  August 19 Topic: "Redcoats on the Series schedule: River: The Revolution in the Lower

Cape Fear" Speaker: Bert Dunkerly,  June 10 Topic: Timothy O’Sullivan NPS Park Ranger Historian and Au- and Photographing Fort Fisher thor Speakers: Photographer Harry Taylor and Dr. Chris Fonvielle, Jr., Associate Professor of History UNCW  June 17 Topic: The Blockade Run- ners Speaker: John Morris, Direc- tor, North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Unit  June 24 Topic: “: A UNCW associate prof. of history Reassessment” Speaker: Dr. Den- Dr. Chris Fonvielle will speak nis Levin, Retired US Army Histori- on June 10, 2017 an  July 1 Topic: “The WASP Program program, more dates were added of Camp Davis” Speaker: Krystal to the 2017“Beat the Heat” Lec- Lee, Beaufort County Educator ture Series and new speakers will are scheduled to participate. New  July 8 Topic: Elmira Prisoner of presenters this year include An- War Camp: The North's Answer to drew Duppstadt of the North Car- Andersonville” Speaker: Richard olina Division of Historic Sites, Bert Triebe, Historian and Author Dunkerly of the National Park Ser-  July 15 Topic: The Final Days of vice, Dr. Dennis Levin former US the CSS Neuse - and Beyond” Speaker: Andrew Duppstadt, North Carolina State Historic Sites Author and historian Richard THE POWDER MAGAZINE Triebe will speak on July 8, 2017 PP A A G G E E 6 6

Working black powder replica

Ray Flowers

The 1859 Sharps Infantry rifles were a series of large bore single shot rifles that began with a design by Christian Sharps in 1848 that were renowned for long range accuracy. The military Sharps Infantry rifle was a falling block, breech loading rifle used during the . Rev. Dennis Levin Along with being able to use a standard percussionJesse Hoskins cap, the Sharps also used a paper cartridge. The Sharps made a superior weapon with its greater accuracy and distance than the more com- monly issued muzzle-loading rifled muskets. The biggest drawback was that the Sharps Rifle was expensive to manufacture. Nearly three times the cost of a muzzle-loading Springfield rifle. Col. Berdan asked Sharps Manufacturing for a number of changes to the rifles being deliveredDennis underGriswold the military contract. The rear sight was ad- justed to allow for targets out to 1000 yards and the standard single trigger was exchanged for the double set trigger. It fires a .54 caliber paper cartridge and features a 30" Round Blued barrel. It is attached to a one-piece American Walnut, Hand Oil Finished stock with 3-Metal Bands. The front sight is fixed and barrel features an adjustable rear sight. The stock features a steel patch box. The barrel is 1 in 48" twist with 6 grooves. The overall length is 47". Tickets available at the site. For more info, call 910-458-5538.

Michael Hardy

THE POWDER MAGAZINE Must be at least 18 years old to enter Drawing Saturday, Jan 13, 2018. Continued on page 8 Need not be present to win P A G E 7

At this time, it is our privilege to paign of unprecedented proportions 1962 Marx Blue & Gray Playset announce that a new temporary exhib- was launched inundating the populace “demonstrator”, with every part factory it is soon to be unveiled at Fort Fisher with a mesmerizing barrage of media glued, screwed or stapled to the board. State Historic Site devoted to child- and merchandising that promoted Civil This item is on loan through the generos- hood and children, or at least the child War tours, battle re-creations, museum ity of Mr. George Kroll, one of the coun- at heart; entitled Heroes in Blue & Gray, exhibits, television programs, movies, try’s premiere toy collectors. There are America’s Civil War Centennial – thru the books, magazines & toys. also guns, swords and books galore to be eyes of a child, it is a collection of be- Ah, those marvelous toys! They left found as well as a whole floor full of Brit- witching toys inspired by the hun- an indelible impression - and though ains “Swoppets”. dredth anniversary of the Civil War. Marx, the planet’s largest toy manufac- It’s been postulated that, “Imitation is With the approach of the Centen- turer and Britains the world’s best the sincerest form of flattery.” If that be nial of America’s War Between the known toy soldier company probably so, then untold youngsters while playing States, there produced the most coveted and influen- with these toys paid tribute to America’s was a resur- Civil War gence of in- soldiers. In a t e r e s t kid’s world of throughout make believe, the country they con- devoted to jured count- commemorat- less bloodless ing America’s battles and greatest trag- waged toy edy. Initially, soldier cam- in the summer paigns innu- of 1957, Con- merable as gress estab- they extolled lished the the virtues of Civil War bravery, pat- Centennial riotism and Commission s a c r i f i c e to prepare while emulat- plans and pro- ing their grams for r e v e r e d nationwide “Heroes in observances of this defining event. B l u e & Three years later, on the eve of the tial examples of the day, it seemed that Gray”. anniversary, President Dwight D. Ei- practically every toy maker, contributed Post Script: Additionally, as an hom- senhower issued a proclamation that an enchanted plaything or two. Alto- age to the past, a site fund raiser brings in part urged, “...our Nation’s schools gether, this treasure chest of magical the exhibit full-circle. A Giant Antietam and colleges, its libraries and muse- toys beguiled the imagination and col- Playset (250 pieces) is being raffled; this is lective memory of an entire generation, ums, its churches and religious bodies, a $334.00 value (including s & h) from inspiring youngsters across the land its civic, service, and patriotic organi- Classic Toy Soldier INC. This set has it zations… to plan and carry out their with the legacy of America’s “Heroes in Blue and Gray.” all: over 180 troops, horses, five cannon, own appropriate Centennial obser- a Conestoga wagon & ambulance, a vances during the years 1961-1965; all Within the exhibit of enchanted bridge, stone walls, split rail fencing, trees to the end of enriching our knowledge toys is featured the Remco “Johnny and a two-piece 14” x 42” terrain piece. and appreciation of this momentous Rebel” cannon, that could propel a plas- chapter in our Nation’s history…” tic ball thirty-five feet. (The cat’s in Tickets are $3 each or 2 for $5, we will In response to and in conjunction trouble.) The television commercial ship & you do not have to be present to with the Centennial a marketing cam- that advertised this diminutive artillery win. Drawing will be on December 5, piece can be found on “You Tube” and 2017, just in time for Santa. So be sure boy is it a hoot. There‘s also a rare to, “Support the fort – take a chance!”. THE POWDER MAGAZINE P A G E 8 ‘Picturing Fort Fisher’ to be held June 10, 2017

On Saturday, June 10, the site will host battle that captured Fort Fisher store. This program starts at 2:00 pm in ‘Picturing Fort Fisher: The 1865 Timothy weeks earlier. Prior to, and after, the Fort Fisher State Historic Site Muse- O’Sullivan Photographs. This program will his presentation Dr. Fonvielle will um’s E. Gehrig Spencer theater. focus on renown Civil War photographer be on hand to meet with the visi- The program runs from 10:00 am to Timothy O’Sullivan and his work docu- tors and sign copies of his books 4:00 pm. It is free and open to the public. menting Fort Fisher in photographs in which will be on sale in the museum February 1865. To understand the task O’Sullivan was given, local photographer Harry Taylor will be on-site photographing Fort Fisher. Mr. Taylor will bring his 1860s-period equipment, including his reproduction darkroom wagon like the type used by Civil War photographers Mathew Brady and Timothy O’Sullivan. At 11 am in the auditorium, Taylor will discuss the detailed process used in creating “wet plate” pho- tography. In addition, enlarged photo- graphs of locations around Fort Fisher taken by Mr. O’Sullivan will be on display inside and outside the museum. At 2 pm, UNCW professor, historian, and author, Dr. Chris Fonvielle will dis- cuss the career of Timothy O’Sullivan and the collection of photos he took at Fort Fisher. For four long years, O’Sullivan traveled with the Union and taking hun- dreds if not thousands of “wet plate” pic- tures. In late January 1865, O’Sullivan was Photographer Harry Taylor, far right, shares his tin-type photography skills dispatched to document the results of the and equipment with admiring youngsters at a recent event at the fort.

Paul Benson Robert Killmeier Jonesborough, TN Winston-Salem, NC

Amanda Berger John McClellan Wilmington, NC Spirit Lake, IA

Charles Boney Breck Price Wilmington, NC Wilmington, NC

George Cotchett Jane & Butch Williams Wilmington, NC Ocean Isle Beach, NC

Thank you for supporting NC’s most visited battlefield & National Historic Landmark P A G E 9

Join the Friends of Fort Fisher MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES Blockade Runner Society - level of annual support includes all of the above benefits plus a 6”x 9” engraved brick paver on Fort Palisade Society $40 Fisher’s Walk of Honor Mounds Society $100 Blockade Runner Society $250 Gibraltar of the South Society - level of annual support which Gibraltar of the South Society $500 includes all of the above benefits except a larger 9” x 9” Col. Charles F. Fisher Society $1000 engraved brick paver, and a specially selected book annually from the Museum Shop BENEFITS Col. Charles F. Fisher Society - level of annual support which Palisade Society – basic level of annual support includes attractive includes all of the benefits of the Gibraltar level except the decal and member card, listing in The Powder Magazine quarterly engraved brick paver is a permanent beautiful blue/gray 12” x newsletter, 10% discount on all purchases from our Fort Fisher 12” stone and may include an engraved emblem or logo Museum Shop and invitations to member only events Other ways to contribute: Mounds Society - level of annual support includes all of the above Memorial and Honor Gifts, Artifact Donations, In-Kind Gifts, benefits plus one complimentary honorarium or memorial in Volunteers, Named Gift Opportunities, Bequests – Contact the one issue of The Powder Magazine newsletter Friends Executive Director for information

MEMBERSHIP ENROLLMENT FORM Membership Categories Name______Palisade Society $40 ______Address______Mounds Society $100 ______Blockade Runner Society $250 ______City______Gibraltar of the South Society $500 ______Col. Charles F. Fisher Society $1000 ______State______Zip______Telephone______Payment □ Cash □ Check □ Credit Card Email______Make checks payable to Friends of Fort Fisher □ New □ Renewal □ VISA □ MasterCard □ Discover

All society memberships are based on a calendar year (Jan- Mail to: Friends of Fort Fisher

Dec). Contributions are tax deductible, less the fair market 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd., Kure Beach, N.C. 28449 value of goods and services received. If you choose to waive your membership benefits, your contri- Name on Card______bution is fully tax-deductible. Account #______□ I wish to waive my society membership benefits Expiration Date______3-digit security code______□ I will be an Annual Society Member Signature______Date______

Payments or donations may be made securely on our website www.friendsoffortfisher.com

THE POWDER MAGAZINE P A G E 1 0 Fort Fisher State Historic Site 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd. South Kure Beach, NC 28449 Phone: (910) 458-5538 E-mail: [email protected] www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher

Fort Fisher goes national again with C-SPAN video feature and Civil War Monitor magazine honor

This newsletter was proudly produced with support from the Friends of Fort Fisher Friends of Fort Fisher Board of Directors:

John M. Coble, Chairman Dennis St. Andrew, Vice Chairman Harry Parham, Treasurer Not surprisingly, Fort Fisher State Historic Site has gone national again. Earlier this year, assistant site manager John W. Paul Harris, Secretary Moseley gave an extensive interview tour for a 16-minute video Brig. Gen. (Ret) James Carper, Past Chair segment that aired on C-Span. Ed Holloran Just a few weeks prior, The Civil War Monitor magazine named Fort Fisher one of the nation’s top 10 Civil War muse- James Johnson ums. The fort’s selection was made by Drew Gruber, executive Geoffrey Losee director for the Civil War Trails project and a member of the Mike McCarley Board of Historic Resources in Williamsburg, VA. “The Mark McLamb exhibits at Fort Fisher State Historic Site (1610 Fort Fisher Blvd. S., Kure Beach, NC; 910-458-5538) are not limited to Norm Melton traditional interior displays, artifacts, and maps (though the 16- Brian Nunnally, Ph.D. foot fiber-optic battle map that illustrates the successful Union M. Tyrone Rowell attack against the earthen Confederate bastion south of Wil- Richard Wallace mington, North Carolina, in January 1865 is worth the trip it- self),” read the article, which was accompanied by a photo of a James Steele, III {ex officio} cannon-firing demonstration. “Visitors also have the opportuni- Paul Laird, Executive Director {ex officio} ty to stroll an interpretive walking path, dotted with trailside exhibits, around the fort's restored remnants, including a recon- Web: www.friendsoffortfisher.com structed artillery emplacement.” And to think, only a little more than 800,000 visitors took E-mail: [email protected] advantage of the fort last year. THE POWDER MAGAZINE