FORT FISHER S T A T E HISTORIC SITE The Powder Magazine S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 SPRING 2011 INTEREST

New book spotlight (page 2)

Symposium: memories of Civil War (page 4)

ECU & UNCW students rediscover artifacts (page 6)

Meet Fort Fisher volunteer Bill Yeager (page 8)

INSIDE THIS Richard Boisvert presents Louis Bell’s personal tactics manual to Friends Board Chairman James MacLaren during a ceremony on the occasion of the ISSUE: anniversary of the 2nd Battle of Fort Fisher in which Col. Bell was mortally wounded. Photo by Si Lawrence, III, Media Specialist

From the Site 2 Manager’s Desk Banner year at Fort Fisher opens with What’s new in 2 The FF gift shop? donation of Infantry Tactics Manual ...by Paul Laird In the Footsteps 3 of the General This year‘s anniversary and Infantry. By the time Bell leaving a grieving widow and commemoration of the Battle of participated in both Fort Fisher two small children in New Civil War 5 Fort Fisher on January 15th was, campaigns he had been promoted Hampshire. The broken- Medicine: Whiting indeed, special. In addition to to lead the Third Brigade, Second hearted widow died just three special presentations, tours and Division, XXIV Army Corps. months later. Bell was the New Friends of 7 music, the Friends of Fort Fisher Beloved by his men, Bell‘s highest ranking Union officer to Fort Fisher received an exciting gift from Brigade consisted of the 4th New die at Fort Fisher. Richard and Suzanne Boisvert of Hampshire, 13th Indiana, 115 The Friends heartfelt New exhibit was 9 Henderson, NC. Many years ago New York and the 169th New appreciation goes to Richard collective effort Mr. Boisvert acquired a copy of York. As Colonel Bell led his and Suzanne Boisvert for the 1862 edition of Casey‘s brigade forward to cross the placing this important piece of Join the Friends of 9 Infantry Tactics, Volume I, causeway bridge at the river road Fort Fisher history back at its Fort Fisher belonging to and used by Union sallyport he was mortally proper home. The manual and Colonel Louis Bell. Colonel Bell wounded but lived long enough other recently acquired purchased the manual when he to see his regiments plant their artifacts are being researched was commanding officer of the 4th colors on Fort Fisher‘s parapets. for placement in a future New Hampshire Volunteer Bell died the next morning exhibit. P A G E 2 From the Site Manager’s Desk

Springtime is here! This begins Fort Fisher‘s summer season, the busiest time of the year. From April through September, more than half a million guests will enjoy North Carolina‘s greatest historic site. This will be my fifth Fort Fisher summer, and I am more excited than ever before. As always, so much good stuff is happening here it is difficult to keep up with it all. We started 2011 with an outstanding program. The 146th Fort Fisher anniversary program, ―Glory Enough For All,‖ exceeded all expectations! On Saturday, January 15, approximately 5,500 people enjoyed a variety of programming and beautiful weather. Scholarly talks, children‘s activi- ties, living history demonstrations, and thematic tours ensured there was something for everybody. Conducting such a large, successful program is a team effort. Site employees and volunteers, staff from other historic sites and museums, and the Friends of Fort Fisher all work together to make these events happen. If you would like to become involved, I encourage you to join the Friends. We could not do what we do without their support. In the last Powder Magazine, I updated you on Fort Fisher‘s strategic planning process. At this moment, a draft version of the plan has been complet- ed and submitted to North Carolina Historic Sites for review. We anticipate the plan will be finalized and debut to the general public early this summer. The contents of this plan, which will carry Fort Fisher through the Civil War sesqui- centennial and beyond, are very exciting. Look forward to expanded programming and facilities as Fort Fisher becomes the premier Civil War site in the nation. Better yet, become involved with achieving these goals and join the Friends of Fort Fisher. I cannot overemphasize the importance of their contribution to this plan and towards its completion! In closing, I want to remind you to stop in and see our new exhibit, ―Hallowed Memories of Heroic Association: Fort Fisher‘s Confederate Veterans, 1865-1935.‖ This exhibit examines the efforts of veterans living along the lower Cape Fear to commemorate and vindicate their wartime service in a New South. As in everything we do, this exhibit was a team effort. For their contributions, we thank the New Hanover County Public Library, the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, the North Carolina State Archives, and the Friends of Fort Fisher. We also thank exhibit designer Amy Sawyer and historian Dr. Marty Matthews of North Carolina Historic Sites. Their work is key to the attractive, informative exhibits you will enjoy here. And thanks to all of you who keep coming back every summer. We are here to serve you so let us know what you think of our efforts. — Jim Steele, Site Manager

New … by Becky Sawyer The Gift Shop Corner Book Spotlight Fort Fisher 1865: The Photographs of T.H. O’Sullivan authored by Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr. I came across the O‘Sullivan proportions of the combined The victorious Union forces So, in this segment of the Gift images back in 1995 while works of Fort Fisher, Mound Fort were so impressed by the Shop Corner, we highlight the working on a paper for my (Mound Battery), and Fort sheer size and strength of the newest addition to the Fort military history class. I was so works at Fort Fisher that Fisher bookstore: Fort Fisher impressed with the sheer words could not describe it - 1865: The Photographs of T.H. volume of images for just one so in early February 1865, O’Sullivan by Dr. Chris E. location. Then when I came to O‘Sullivan was contracted to Fonvielle, Jr. The first printing work at Fort Fisher, I have photograph a series of about will be completed in April always explained to the visiting forty views of Fort Fisher, 2011 by NC Starburst Press. public that we were very making it at the time one of Paperback version of the book fortunate that the fort was the most photographed will retail at $29.95 plus tax. photographed on such a large Confederate fortifications and Dr. Fonvielle will be at Fort scale. Very few battlefields showed the nation how Fisher on June 11th, 2011, to were documented on the level massive Fort Fisher was and that Fort Fisher was. why it protected the “No description can convey an B u c h a n n a n ( B a t t e r y Confederate port of Continued on adequate idea of the stupendous Buchannan).” – E.S. of the New Wilmington, North Carolina page 10 strength and almost Titanic York Tribune for so long.

THE POWDER MAGAZINE P A G E 3

In the Footsteps of the General by Ray Flowers

If there is a better first person account of the War Between were…passing close by my old home at Washington.‖ (they the States than Fighting for the Confederacy ―The Personal Rec- must have taken the scenic route). ollections of General Edward Porter Alexander‖, edited by Gary Though no battles were fought near Washington it is Gallagher, then I am not aware of it. Whether serving in the rich in Civil War history and claims more antebellum homes capacity of signal operator, engineer, staff officer or artillerist than any other town of its size in Georgia. [probably, because the seemingly ubiquitous Alexander proved himself an astute no major battles were fought near there] Either by virtue of observer and a keen reporter birth or residence nine Confederate generals and one naval of unusual ability. Fulfilling a commander had close associations with Wilkes County. Among promise at the behest of his them were Major Generals Arnold Elzey, Jeremy Francis family the general began re- Gilmer, Robert Toombs and Leroy Pope Walker. Toombs and cording his reminiscences Walker also served as Confederate Secretary of State and Sec- around the turn of the century, retary of War respectively. The other generals were Brigadiers ―writing only for D u d l e y M . my children & DuBose, Lu- i n t i m a t e cius Jeremi- friends.‖ Twen- ah Gartrell, ty-eight months Alex ander and 1,200 pages Robert Law- labor produced ton, Paul a manuscript J o h n that was never Semmes and intended for of course publication. Edward Por- Objective, critical, and candid ―Aleck‘s‖ recol- ter Alexan- lections abound with the scuttlebutt concerning der. Both the campaigns of Longstreet‘s First Corps in par- Gilmer and ticular and the Army of Northern Virginia in gen- Lawton were eral. But for all of the General‘s peripatetic military adventures, Alexander‘s brothers-in-law. The naval commander was Thomas the story opens and closes in Washington, Georgia. So when T. Hunter. In addition another 700 men comprising four compa- the president of the Washington Civil War Roundtable, Mr. nies were recruited from the area into southern service as well. Claibourne Darden, solicited the Fort Fisher State Historic Site Over the course of two motoring tours in one day I learned for a speaker, I readily accepted. and saw much of the county. In the a.m., Mr. Robert M. Willing- Three highways ham, Jr. (Skeet) who literally wrote the book and six and one-half on the place, The History of Wilkes Coun- hours landed me in ty, Georgia proved himself well versed on Wilkes County, its‘ history. He could freely elucidate on the where Washington residences and residents of the numerous is the county seat. It colonial, antebellum and Victorian mansions was far better time that line the town‘s narrow avenues. But than Alexander for me, the real treat was getting to see the made in September Alexander home, the genesis of the story. 1863 when he and From the vantage point of the side yard I much of the First tried vainly to locate the adjacent play Corps were ordered ground that Mars Ned mentions in the south to reinforce opening pages of his book. There, when he General Bragg. Leav- was just a boy, a scenario played out that ing Petersburg, Vir- reads much like a modern day tragedy. In ginia by train on the the wake of an argument with a play mate (over 17th, they passed secession none-the-less) Edward Porter secured a pistol and through Wilmington, North returned to the play ground with the idea of assassinating his Carolina on the 20th; from there it would be young neighbor. Fortunately, the gun misfired. another three days before Alexander observed that, ―we Continued on page 8 THE POWDER MAGAZINE P A G E 4 Sesquicentennial symposium in May to examine memories and legacies of the

You are invited to attend ―Contested Past: Memories and Legacies of the Civil War: a Conference to Com- memorate the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War in North Carolina‖ to be held May 20, 2011, at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh, NC. A planning committee within the North Carolina Office of Archives and History invites you to join eighteen presenters for a conference which will examine memory and the war. Subjects to be considered include literature, historiog- raphy, statuary, monuments, dissent, race, prisons, sui- cide, women, heritage organizations, and other legacies.

Historical work on ‗memory‘ has proliferated over the past 20 years, resulting in questions like, ‗What is most important to remember about the Civil War?‘ ‗How have past generations gone about commemorating the conflict?‘ ‗What lessons can we take from the past?‘

For conference registration information, please go to the web site www.nccivilwar150.com and look for the brochure link under the events page and ―Memory Symposium.‖ The downloadable brochure (pdf format) has information regarding registration, a list of present- ers, a list of responders, as well as conference agendas. See you in Raleigh on May 20.

Fort Fisher to host “Storms of Shot and Shell,” a free 2nd Saturdays event slated for June 11, 2011

Fort Fisher State Historic Site full six-gun battery will line the south center at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and will hold ―Storms of Shot and air strip and fire frequently through- conclude with rifle demonstra- Shell‖ on Saturday, June 11, out the day. Historian Chris E. tions. 2011. The event will coincide Fonvielle, Jr. will debut his new book on the historic photography of Fort Due to circumstances beyond our with the NC Department of Fisher by Timothy O‘Sullivan and control, all demonstrations are Cultural Resource‘s statewide wet-plate photographer Harry Tay- subject to change. For more infor- nd summer ―2 Saturdays‖ pro- lor will demonstrate period photo- mation on this first installment of gram. The event is free and graphic processes for the public. the 2nd Saturdays program, please open to the public. Join us as contact Amy Manor Thornton at we step back in time with a Costumed tours of the remaining (910) 458-5538 or by email at field artillery extravaganza! A earthworks will leave the visitor [email protected].

THE POWDER MAGAZINE P A G E 5

Civil War Medicine - MG William HC Whiting By Jack Hisley, MD

William Henry Chase Whiting was born in Biloxi, Bragg found him to be a disrespectful, argumentative, , on the 22nd of March in 1824. His father, Lieu- know-it-all who frequently tried to undermine authority. tenant Colonel Levi Whiting served as an artillery officer in Consequently, Whiting was demoted to the position of the Army from 1812 until his death in 1853. Bragg‘s deputy. Young Whiting graduated with top honors from the English In December 1864, Fort Fisher came under High School of Boston at age 12 and from Georgetown Col- threat by a vast federal armada. At this time, Whiting left lege at the age of 16. He entered the United States Military his post and without orders Academy at West Point, NY where he graduated in 1945 from Bragg, with the highest grade point average ever achieved at j o i n e d that institution until Douglas MacArthur‘s gradua- “ I have come to tion in 1906. Louis Hebert, Fitz John Porter, share your fate, and E. Kirby Smith were also in Whiting‘s class of 1845. my boy. You are to Whiting then served as an of- ficer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- be sacrificed ! ” neers for 16 years. During that time, Whiting‘s time was spent erecting har- Lamb as bor fortifications, surveying military a volunteer at Fort Fisher. The Decem- routes, and improving rivers, canals and ber attack was repulsed. At the begin- harbors. When he resigned from the ning of the second attack in mid January U.S. Army on 20 Feb 1861, Whiting was 1865, Whiting returned to the fort. He engaged in Savannah River improvements was angry that General Bragg decided not and he generously offered his services to to support the garrison at Fort Fisher. the State of Georgia. An appointment as Whiting told Lamb: ―I have come to share Major of the Engineers in the Army of the your fate, my boy. You are to be sacrificed‖. Confederate States of America followed. After A fierce naval bombardment was followed by a improving the defense at Morris Island, Whiting was land invasion of Fort Fisher. Whiting joined the fight appointed Chief of Engineers under Major General Joseph E. and was felled by two wounds while tearing down a feder- Johnston. Combat experience during the first battle of Bull al flag. He was injured by 2 Minie balls, one of which en- Run, Seven Pines, Jackson‘s Valley Campaign, Gaines Mill, tered his right thigh. The other passed through his right and Malvern Hill soon followed. In November 1862, now hip, producing the more severe and disabling wound. Brigadier General Whiting became the Commander of the Initially, Whiting‘s men carried him to the Garri- Cape Fear District where his duty was to protect the Port son Hospital located at the northeast bastion. Later he of Wilmington, which was vital to confederate blockade run- was moved along with the wounded Colonel Lamb to ning. Whiting mentored and became friends with Colonel Battery Buchanan as the wounded survivors were cap- William Lamb who was responsible for the consolidation of tured. Two days later, Whiting, Lamb, and all of the other the many scattered gun batteries within the confines of the captured Confederates were placed on a steamer for the colossal Fort Fisher, a structure that was vital to the Port of seven-day voyage to northern prisons. Whiting and his Wilmington‘s defense. Whiting was promoted to the rank fellow officers were transported to Fort Columbus on of Major General in February1863. Governor‘s Island. Enlisted prisoners were shipped to Idolized by his troops, William Henry Chase Whit- Point Lookout, Maryland, Fort Delaware, Elmira NY, and ing was called ―Little Billy‖. He was ―below average in Castle Williams on Governor‘s Island. height‖ (the average height of a soldier in the 1860s was 5 feet, seven inches) sinewy, handsome, and had a ―martial bearing‖ according to the Dictionary of American Biography Continued on page 7 published in 1928. His superiors, particularly President Jef- ferson Davis, and his soon-to-be boss General Braxton

THE POWDER MAGAZINE P A G E 6 Students from East Carolina and UNCW rediscover artifacts from Modern Greece by Mark Wilde-Ramsing In early March, the Department of Cultural Resources‘ Navy joined forces to salvage as much as possible. Eleven Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB) in conjunction with thousand five hundred artifacts were recovered, a portion of Fort Fisher State Historic Site and the Friends of Fort Fisher which was conserved and placed in museums throughout the hosted graduate students from East state and nation, while many items were left in storage tanks Carolina University‘s Maritime History as UAB ar- Program as they ―rediscovered‖ artifacts chaeologists from the Blockade Runner Modern moved on to Greece. other ship- On the morning of June 27, wrecks. th 1862 the 210‘ blockade runner evaded As the 150 the ring of Federal ships on its way to anniversary of the eastern entrance to the Cape Fear the Modern River, but was spotted by the U.S.S. Greece‘s sink- Cambridge, which opened fire. Soon the ing and 50 U.S.S. Stars and Stripes joined the Cam- years since its bridge and under heavy fire the Modern s a l v a g e , Greece was forced ashore. To keep the awareness and cargo of clothing, cutlery, ammunition concern for and rifles out of Yankee hands Fort Fish- the uncon- er opened fire on the stranded vessel. served por- The vessel was thought to be tion of this completely destroyed until 1962 when, unique trove following a storm, the Modern Greece of artifacts has was uncovered. Lying only 300 yards off come to the of Fort Fisher in twenty five feet of wa- forefront. To ter, divers investigated, and found that much of the vessel and answer initial questions concerning the type, amount and con- its cargo was intact. Over the next two years, the North Caro- dition of artifacts, eleven graduate students from ECU and lina Department of Archives and History and the United States two student interns from UNCW have been put to the task. Under the direction of Susanne Grieve, Director of Conservation for ECU‘s Maritime History Program and Nathan Henry, Assistant State Archaeologist the students spent three days recording, catalog- ing, photographing, and determining the future con- servation of this treasure trove of Civil War era objects. The artifacts were then placed in new storage containers located inside the UAB conser- vation facility. An assessment of the artifacts will also provide recommendations on how best to utilize the conserved collection in the future with the hope that it can serve training and public edu- cation to the fullest extent. Modern Greece represents an important period in history, both as an early causality in the naval battlefield associated with Fort Fisher, and as the discovery that prompted development of the field of underwater archaeology and marine artifact conservation in North Carolina and throughout the nation. To see additional photos from the recent conservation efforts by the ECU graduate students please go to the photo tab at www.friendsoffortfisher.com.

THE POWDER MAGAZINE P A G E 7 Civil War Medicine: Welcome MG William HC Whiting, continued from page 5 New Friends of Fort First discovered by a Dutch explorer in 1611, Governor‘s Island is a 172-acre is- land in Upper New York Bay, located approximately one mile from the southern point of Fisher Manhattan. In 1698 the New York Assembly dedicated the island for the benefit and pleas- ure of His Majesty‘s Governors – hence its name. Two forts dominated Governor‘s Island: Fort Columbus occupied the northern end; and Castle Williams dominated the south side. Late in the Civil War, both structures were overcrowded as were many federal and con- Larry & Yvonne Brown federate prisons. Enlisted prisoners were housed in Castle Williams, a circular sandstone Greensboro, NC fort that was 200 feet in diameter with walls that soared 40 feet in height and were 8 feet thick. Fort Columbus was a red brick 5-bastion structure that housed the confederate Amy Coker officers. Burgaw, NC When Whiting finally arrived at the military hospital in Fort Columbus nine days after he was wounded, he was in a conscious but weakened state. Because of the more severe hip wound, Whiting was to remain bedridden, requiring assistance to turn over for Sabra DeBose the remainder of his days. Although the Minie ball wound to the right thigh most likely Wilmington, NC didn‘t shatter bone, Whiting must have experienced considerable blood loss from the inju- ry. Quite often wounds of this type can conceal a large volume of blood within the muscle Jim & Cheri Dial of the thigh. Wilmington, NC Persistent anemia, along with a significant decrease in total blood volume would readily explain his moribund state even though the thigh wound eventually healed. Confed- John Gregory erate surgeon Spiers Singleton supervised Whiting‘s care while he was hospitalized at Fort Smithfield, NC Columbus. On 28 February 1865, Singleton was paroled to City Point, Virginia. At that time, Whiting‘s wounds were healed and Singleton felt comfortable leaving his bedridden patient for whom he expected a complete recovery over time. Because of his rank, Major Steven Godwin General Whiting continued to receive good care by federal surgeons. However, his weak- Wilmington, NC ened condition persisted, most likely due to the continued blood loss and immobility relat- ed to the hip wound and possible pelvic bone fracture. A bout of diarrhea resulted in de- Chuck & Lia Goff hydration and added insult to his chronically low intravascular fluid volume. Unexpectedly, Sandy Hook, Va Whiting died on Friday 10 March 1865. The cause of death was recorded as diarrhea and dysentery. Dr. E.A. Belford Horan Dysentery, a condition characterized by diarrhea, inflamed bowel, bloody diarrhea, Fayetteville, NC fever, and sepsis, was prevalent during the Civil War. Doctors did not understand its cause, nor did they know how it should be treated. Affected patients died from dehydra- tion and sepsis. Whiting‘s death appeared to be sudden and unexpected, which is not char- Bonnie R. Leonard acteristic of death related to dysentery. Shallotte, NC Considering the strong likelihood that Whiting suffered from severe anemia result- ing from the external and concealed blood loss from his wounds, dysentery with subse- Michael E. McCarley quent bloody diarrhea and dehydration may have compromised blood flow and oxygenation Wilmington, NC of his heart, resulting in a coronary. However, cardiac symptoms were not recorded prior to Whiting‘s death. Prolonged bed rest, blood loss anemia, and dehydration from acute Richard & Jeffrey Newell dysentery coupled with an increase in blood viscosity most likely resulted in a fatal pulmo- Wilmington, NC nary embolism that originated from a deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremities. During the war, a total of 96 general officers died. Seventy-seven were either killed in action or died from their wounds or from complications associated with their Joshua Shiver wounds. Of the remaining 23 officers, most died of natural causes, diseases, and accidents. Wilmington, NC One was assassinated, 2 died in duels, and one committed suicide. On 11 March 1865, Major General William Henry Chase Whiting‘s funeral was held in New York City at the Sharon Stephens Trinity Episcopal Church. Several federal officers attended, along with Confederate Gen- Wilmington, NC eral William Beall, who was a first year cadet at West Point when Whiting graduated in 1845. After the service, Whiting‘s rosewood coffin was transported to ‘s Green- Greg Willett wood Cemetery where his brother Robert served as superintendent. In January 1900, Wilmington, NC Whiting‘s widow Kate A. Whiting had his remains moved to Oakdale Cemetery in Wil- mington, NC. Thus Major General William Henry Chase Whiting finally returned to the beloved city he considered his home and where his widow Kate lived for the remainder of Terry Yonts, II her life. Trinity, NC

THE POWDER MAGAZINE In the Footsteps of the General modations were extraordi- ton, Georgia. P A G E 8 nary; truly fit for royalty. The next morning, on my ...continued from page 3 Dating back to 1898, it is way out of town, I stopped by The impassioned incident does a fair amount of business three-stories of hardwood the Alexander home entrance made a lasting impression up- with Fort Fisher; and we also floors, majestic stairwells, for a moment to ponder. For on the venerable young man spent a goodly amount of time oriental carpets, high ceilings, the reader, it is here that Alex- that we might all profit from, about the Wilkes County frosted glass, chandeliers, ander‘s Fighting for the Confed- ―But gratitude to a Providence Courthouse. The courthouse antique furniture and incredi- eracy closes. Speaking of his which saved me so narrowly now stands where the old ble service. For two nights I wife upon his return home from from a calamity which would Bank of Georgia building used slept on a cloud and show- the war in what could only have have ruined my whole life, has to be, where Alexander‘s fa- ered under a summer rain. been an overwhelming emotion- led me ever since to avoid and ther had once cashiered. Let me tell you, it was rich! al reunion, he wrote, ―But alt- eschew politics, as too prolific There on May 4th, 1865 Presi- The night of the meeting hough she thought me far on of quarrels for one who, like dent Davis met with what was there was a social followed my road….she knew the rush of myself, is liable to become left of the Confederate Cabi- by a catered southern ban- my feet up the stairs the mo- reckless of consequences net for the last time. It was on quet with about seventy folks ment that she heard it, and as I when in a passion.‖ this property that the Confed- in attendance. The actual opened the door she was in the In the afternoon, Mr. erate Government was offi- program was conducted in middle of the room advancing Darden, who is no novice in cially dissolved. In what he the upstairs ball room where to meet me.‖ The End. matters concerning either the called, ―one of the disappoint- I half expected to see Scarlet history of the county or the ments of my life‖ Alexander O‘Hara enter at any moment. I would like to thank the Georgia war showed me around. To- arrived home just hours after (Well, I was in Wilkes Coun- Civil War Roundtable for the invi- gether we visited: the Robert the president‘s departure. He ty after all.) To culminate the tation and privilege of addressing Toombs home, (now a muse- had hoped to persuade him to evening, at the end of my their organization, the feast, their um and historic site) and grave surrender. presentation I got to examine hospitality and the accommoda- site; The Mary Willis Library, It was also somewhere a Confederate officer‘s tions at the fabulous Fitzpatrick the first free public library in about this time in Wilkes sword that had been cap- Hotel; Fort Fisher State Historic the state, noted for its fabu- County that the fabled Con- tured and surrendered at the Site & the Friends of Fort Fisher for lous Tiffany stained glass win- federate Treasury disap- fall of Fort Fisher. In conclu- their support and travel expenses; dows; a hunting club with or- peared. The stories surround- sion, while I don‘t know if and the North Carolina Depart- chards, a vineyard, and fishing ing the disappearance of this any of the Confederate gold ment of Cultural Resources and pond, an Indian burial mound cache run the gamut. Where still rumored about Wilkes North Carolina State Historic Sites and a forgotten cemetery (that the truth lies, who knows? County remains undiscov- for encouraging such grand oppor- Mr. Darden thinks may contain While staying in Washing- ered, what I do know is if tunities for staff development. And the remains of Confederate ton I was billeted at the Fitz- there‘s any value to be placed a special thanks to my new friends President Jefferson Davis‘ patrick Hotel where the on warmth and hospitality Mr. Claibourne Darden and Mr. grandparents); we rode past Washington Civil War there is yet a wealth of treas- “Skeet” Willingham. the Ruffin Flag Company that Roundtable meets. My accom- ure to be found in Washing- Ray Flowers, Curator of History

enjoys meeting the people he gets to talk to Meet Bill Yeager, site volunteer and take on tour. It also doesn‘t hurt that his tours are nestled between the Cape Fear On any given Friday morn- River and the Atlantic Ocean. ing, visitors to Fort Fisher get a real A graduate of Ohio State, Bill is a treat—meeting Bill Yeager, one of retired elementary school principal who the site‘s many valued volunteers. spent more than 37 years in the state system, Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Bill so he knows a thing or two about educating has lived in the Cape Fear Area for young people. So, what should people know most of his life. He and his wife Marti about Fort Fisher, I ask? ―At the end of ―suddenly found ourselves retired tours I give, I mention that this is the most and looking for something different.‖ important battle that no one has ever heard It turns out the pair had of, and that this is the reason for the war‘s some good friends living in the area, early end, but no one has ever heard of it, so they decided to give the Cape Fear possibly because it had so few casualties rela- Area a chance. It was a good choice tive to other battles.‖ Once again, he‘s right. and, fortunately for Fort Fisher, a In his spare time, Bill enjoys working good fit. outside and photography (something else Bill Yeager Bill has volunteered at the he‘s very good at—he regularly shares his site for some three years now and event photos with the staff). Thanks, Bill! THE POWDER MAGAZINE P A G E 9 New exhibit highlights FF veterans

Fort Fisher State Historic Site wishes to thank Marty D. Matthews, Curator of Research, and Amy Sawyer, Exhibit Design- er, for the extensive work that went into the site‘s new exhibit: ―Hallowed Memories of Heroic Association: Fort Fisher’s Confederate Veterans, 1865-1935.‖

Pictured at right, Historic Sites Exhibit Designer Amy Sawyer is shown installing exhibit components. We invite you to come see the finished product at the Fort Fisher visitor‘s center. Join the Friends of Fort Fisher MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP $100 and Up Individual Membership $25 Benefits will be extended to a designated representative of the Family Membership $40 business. In addition, the business shall be entitled to one free Military/Student Membership $20 display advertisement (business card sized) in the next edition of The Powder Magazine.

BENEFITS ARMSTRONG SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP $500 and Up Members receive subscriptions to The Powder Magazine Gifts are placed into a restricted fund for capital improvements. quarterly newsletter, membership card, notice of educational Benefits include membership for the year in which the gift is programs and special events, a 15% discount in the Fort Fisher received, permanent recognition on the museum‘s donor wall Museum shop, and invitations to special Friends of Fort Fisher and at the annual meeting of the Friends of Fort Fisher. events throughout the year. OTHER WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP $500 and Up Memorial & Honor Gifts All of the benefits above, plus acknowledgement in The Powder Artifact Donations Magazine quarterly newsletter, VIP acknowledgement in all Volunteers special programs and recognition on the museum‘s permanent Named Gift Opportunities donor board. Bequests

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THE POWDER MAGAZINE 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

Book review...continued from page 2 sign copies of his book and make a special presentation. This This newsletter was book has been a long awaited addition to those few works fea- proudly produced with support turing photographs of Fort Fisher. Prior to the publication of from the Friends of Fort Fisher this book, the only time one would have been able to view such images was on the website for the Library of Congress. In Friends of Fort Fisher Fort Fisher 1865: The Photographs of T.H. O’Sullivan, Fonvielle has Board of Directors: reassembled all of the thirty-nine known O‘Sullivan images of R. James MacLaren, Chairman Fort Fisher and included the two images of the U.S. Navy‘s task Earl Lane, Secretary force assembled to attack the fort. He also included a previous- John Coble, Treasurer ly unknown image of the western end of the fort found in the th Kemp Bumpeau local Wilmington newspaper during the early 20 century. Fort James Carper Fisher 1865: The Photographs of T.H. O’Sullivan provides the Jerome Fennell reader with background information regarding the history of the construction of Fort Fisher, the battles to take Fort Fisher Dan Hickman and quick biographical feature on Timothy O‘Sullivan, who Jack Hisley,MD studied under photographers Matthew Brady and Alexander Earnestine Keaton Garner. Also included is a nomenclature page and a glossary of Brian Nunnally, Ph.D. terminology - which is very helpful. Then we get to the meat Jim Steele, Ex-Officio and potatoes of the book - the O‘Sullivan images. Fonvielle Paul Laird, Development Director provides a historical narrative explaining each image and its location within the fort. Sometimes, he would zoom in on a Web: www.friendsoffortfisher.com particular feature that may not be otherwise noticed, such as E-mail: [email protected] the temporary graveyard in front of Shepherd‘s battery or the vent pick laying on the gun chassis tongue. He also provides a map of the fort showing where the photographer was standing when the photo was taken. This is a nice feature. When possi- ble, a compare and contrast of modern day view of the same image versus the original O‘Sullivan shot are shown. In conclusion - this book is delight for anyone who has an interest in Fort Fisher and Civil War photography. Pouring over the images and reading the historical narratives provides the reader with a connection with Timothy O‘Sullivan and his camera lens when he was documenting Fort Fisher on those few cold days in February of 1865.