FORT FISHER STATE HISTORIC SITE

SPECIAL The Powder Magazine P O I N T S O F VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 SPRING 2010 I N T E R E S T

• Join the Friends 2nd Saturdays at North Carolina Historic Sites of Fort Fisher on Visit Fort Fisher State Historic landscapes or page 5! Site on the second Saturdays of seascapes, June, July, and August 2010, and • Explore the will be selling experience a remarkable their work on Southern partnership of our cultural site, as well as Historical history and our local arts demonstrating their craft. Carolina’s coastal region, and Collection at community. In an exciting Visitors will be able to walk on Saturday, August 14 (Living UNC (Treasure initiative, all North Carolina through a recreated Civil War Our Civil War History) as we Maps, page 3). Historic Sites and Museums will landscape with a small look to the vital crafts that date join together to celebrate our Confederate encampment, to the mid-19th century. • Looking for a arts and heritage in a unique costumed tours, and small arms Civil War love way. Every “2nd Saturday” this weapons demonstrations If you are interested in story? Visit the summer, look to your local throughout the day. participating in our programs as Fort Fisher Gift State Historic Site or state an artist, please contact Amy Shop (page 2)! museum for fun, innovative New programs will also be Manor Thornton at (910) 458- events! offered on Saturday, July 10 5538 x502 or (Life on Fort Fisher’s [email protected]. We On Saturday, June 12, Fort Waterways) where we will work to match artists with INSIDE THIS Fisher will explore the examine what life was like living the most appropriate themed I S S U E : historical landscape around us between the Cape Fear River program. Space is available on a with a new lens. Local artists and the Atlantic Ocean through first come, first served basis. From the Site 2 and photographers, particularly the arts and crafts of North Manager’s Desk those who work with Gift Shop Corner 2

Treasure Maps 3 Summer Costumed Tours to Start Wednesday, June 2 Beginning June 2, experience interpreter will perform a rifle 4 Friends of Fort Fisher with a costumed demonstration for all visitors Fort Fisher interpreter every on-site. Join the Friends of 5 Wednesday through Sunday, Fort Fisher through August 15, 2010. Family-oriented, visitors of all Fort Fisher’s “Mary ages enjoy an engaging stroll Spring & Summer 6 Holloway” Summer around our scenic tour trail Programs for 2010 Interpreter will offer overlooking the Cape Fear costumed tours at 11 a.m. River. These tours delight and 3 p.m., Wednesday thousands of visitors annually, through Saturday, and at 3 so make sure to stop by this p.m. on Sundays. Following summer for your own Civil the tours, the historic War experience!

Clyde Wilson, “Mary For more information contact Holloway” Summer Fort Fisher at (910) 458-5538 Interpreter from 2009 P A G E 2 From the Site Manager’s Desk Greetings Everybody! weekend attendance record, and we see many more events at Fort were rained out on Sunday! Fisher, including our large summer Fort Fisher State Historic Site has and fall programs, small Saturday enjoyed a terrific first quarter, and the Enough of my boasting — we could programs throughout the summer, remainder of 2010 promises to be not have had such a successful event three “Second-Saturdays” programs every bit as exciting. I want to share so without help from so many individuals that will bring the local arts much of what has been happening here, and organizations. First of all, I want community to Fort Fisher, and the starting with Fort Fisher’s 145 th to thank all Fort Fisher employees; Mary Holloway Seasonal Interpreter anniversary program. the many NC Historic Sites program from mid-May through mid employees who travelled from near -August. I am pleased to inform you Those of you who were not here the and far to participate; our site that this year’s seasonal interpreter weekend of January 16-17 missed one volunteers; the Upperman African is Wade Rogers. Wade is a of the best events ever presented at American Cultural Center; the North longtime employee of Tryon Palace Fort Fisher! Friday evening’s panel Carolina Humanities Council, our and Gardens, a student at East discussion, “Black Men Bearing discussion panelists, Dr. Richard Reid, Carolina University, and an Freedom,” packed the auditorium at Dr. Chris E. Fonvielle Jr., Dr. John accomplished tailor of historical UNCW. Saturday’s programs were Haley, and Dr. Mark Elliott; many clothing. We are excited to have heavily attended, and the highlight was hundreds of reenactors; our local him join the Fort Fisher team and of course the battle reenactment. history authors; the Fort Fisher encourage you to enjoy his Several hundred reenactors took the Chapter 2325 of the United costumed tours and weapons field and recreated the fighting at Daughters of the Confederacy; and demonstrations. Sheppard’s Battery and the “Bloody the Friends of Fort Fisher. Deserving Gate,” and it looked terrific. The of special recognition for their I am out of space and time, so let Union forces outnumbered the outstanding contributions are Amy me close by thanking everyone who Confederate forces for the first time Manor Thornton, Michelle Lanier, makes Fort Fisher programming since the real battle! My old reenacting Andrew Duppstadt, Jeff Bockert, Jim possible, especially our visitors. unit, the 79 th New York Volunteers, McKee, Donny Taylor, Skip Smith, Your attendance at our programs, participated and when they deployed in Curt Cole, Kaye Lavin, and Jack Fryar. your donations, and gift shop line and charged up the face of the I know I must be overlooking some purchases make everything possible. bastion, I was green with envy! I have people and organizations- forgive me, To help Fort Fisher grow and lost count of the number of people- there are so many of you who acquire a national reputation as a visitors, reenactors, employees, and contributed to the most successful center of outstanding public history, others- who told me our battle- event ever held at Fort Fisher. You all I encourage you to join the Friends anniversary program was the best they have my sincere gratitude. of Fort Fisher and become involved. had ever attended. And speaking of We cannot do it without you! attendance, over 7,000 people enjoyed January’s event was only the the program. This is a Fort Fisher beginning. The remainder of 2010 will Jim Steele Gift Shop Corner Our latest addition to our throughout Undaunted Heart assassinated. Citizens of the bookstore at Fort Fisher is the are excerpts from Ella’s never- picturesque North Carolina book, Undaunted Heart: The before-published letters to her college town had endured True Story of a Southern Belle & parents that reveal a loving years of hardship and sacrifice, a Yankee General . Author Suzy marriage that transcended and now the was Barile, a great-great- differences and scandal. patrolling its streets. One of granddaughter of Ella Swain Sherman’s young generals paid and Smith Atkins, tells their The story begins when a a visit to the stately home of story, separating facts from brigade of General Sherman’s David Swain, president of the elaborate embellishments the victorious army marched into University of North Carolina famous courtship and Chapel Hill the day after and a former governor of the marriage have taken on over Easter 1865, the Civil War had state, to inform him that the the generations. Interwoven just ended and President town was now under Union Abraham Lincoln had been THE POWDER MAGAZINE Continued on page 5

P A G E 3 Blackford’s commanding officer was Major General Jeremy Treasured Maps Francis Gilmer, probably the premier engineer of the Confederacy. Born in Greensboro, North Carolina February Prior to 1861, Benjamin Lewis Blackford had worked as a civil 23, 1818 he graduated second in the 1839 class at West Point engineer for a railroad company in Tennessee where he as a Lieutenant of Engineers where he subsequently served as conducted surveys and produced maps for the firm. With the Assistant Professor of Engineering at the Academy. In the old outbreak of hostilities he was soon employed by the army during the Mexican War he was Chief Engineer of the Confederate Engineer Department and on September 7, 1863 Army of the West in New Mexico and eventually saw service in he and his assistants were transferred from the Map Bureau in nearly all parts of the country. In the wake of the capitulation of Richmond to Wilmington, North Carolina. There this most Fort Sumter, South Carolina in April of 1861, Gilmer resigned excellent cartographer began an extensive topographic survey his commission on June 29, while in charge of the defenses of of the Wilmington Military District. By the time he had finished , California. Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant- the assignment he had completed at least eight maps of the Colonel of Engineers in the he was Lower Cape Fear and environs. The history, survival and severely wounded at the where he was the preservation of Lieutenant Blackford’s maps, as well as a vast Chief Engineer to General . Promotion collection of others is a miraculous story indeed. to Colonel of Engineers followed when he was made Chief Engineer of the Army of Northern Virginia. On August 25, 1863, Gilmer was again promoted jumping two grades to the rank of Major General when he was made Chief of the Engineer Bureau in the Confederate War Department.

Upon the evacuation of Richmond, Virginia on April 2, 1865, all of the bureau’s documents and maps were transferred to an “archive train” destined for Raleigh, North Carolina. Unfortunately, it was long believed that en route the “archive train” was intercepted, pillaged and burned and that this treasure-trove was lost forever. By the time of Gilmer’s passing in December of 1883, the documents were all but forgotten. Yet somehow, by unknown means the General had apparently managed to extricate the “Lost Maps.”

Today, this Major General Jeremy Francis Gilmer cache (with some later additions) of 162 maps and drawings is housed in the Southern Historical Collection of Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is available for perusal on line. To discover this bonanza for yourself on line, simply follow the clues and dots: first go to Wilson Library, UNC • then enter the Southern Historical Collection • go to Online Finding Aids • select the letter “G” • scroll down to Gilmer, Jeremy Francis • then scroll down to “Gilmer Civil War Maps Collection” • next, select one of ten former Confederate States of America • press “GO” . and – Cartouche of Benjamin Lewis Blackford – a self portrait “EUREKA”!!! from Map of Country between NE Cape Fear River and Topsail Sound Ray Flowers

THE POWDER MAGAZINE P A G E 4 Friends of Fort Fisher Friends of Fort Historic Site will also grow in the expanded educational programs and hearts and minds of those who rotating exhibits and even pursuit Fisher is a new membership revere our treasured national of state approval and fund raising to organization that grew out of the heritage and, in particular, those construct an exhibit and Fort Fisher Restoration Committee, who lived and served, fought, were educational facility. These exciting the original support group for the wounded, captured or died at this plans require a strong membership site. It is our sincere belief that by hallowed site. The Friends has to help advocate and work toward establishing and growing our ambitious plans including improved those objectives. membership Fort Fisher State access and interpretive markers,

is up and running and now has determine which gift vehicles the capability of receiving best suit your particular We Need You! membership dues and donations circumstances and provides the via credit card securely on-line greatest tax benefit to you and If you are already a member … at the click of a button. Also, your heirs and help preserve, Welcome NEW THANK YOU. Don’t forget to please remember we are an IRS enhance, and interpret Fort take advantage of your 15% approved charitable Fisher. With the many “BIG” Friends Members member discount in our gift organization that is qualified to projects the Friends of Fort shop at Fort Fisher. You’ll find receive your tax deductible Fisher are promoting, planned Pat Gasson some of the best titles and contributions for the gifts like those mentioned will history related mementos in the betterment of the historic site help us achieve those goals and Wilmington, NC Cape Fear area thanks to our and its educational programs. may also provide you with gift shop manager Becky Please think about the Friends naming opportunities at the James F. Hammond Sawyer. And make sure to look when doing your estate most visited North Carolina at the calendar of events planning. We can accept gifts historic site, Fort Fisher. Please Calabash, NC elsewhere in this newsletter. If through life insurance, contact me (910-612-7067 or you’re interested in retirement plans, and real [email protected] ) Martha E. Watson volunteering please get in touch estate, not to mention other with your questions and ideas with Assistant Site Manager vehicles such as gifts of stock or and for a personal behind-the- Wilmington, NC Amy Thornton, or contact me proceeds from charitable scenes tour of the site. to discuss your interests. remainder trusts. We urge you Gene & Debbie The Friends website to consult with your financial Paul Laird (www.friendsoffortfisher.com ) advisor or accountant to Wheat Wilmington, NC

UDC Fort Fisher Committee Chair Kaye Lavin (2 nd left) and North Carolina Division UDC President Emily Champion (4 th left) present Friends Board Chair Pete D’Onofrio a donation for interpretive markers during the January 145 th THE POWDER MAGAZINE Anniversary program as NC Historic Sites Division Director Keith Hardison (5 th left) looks on. P A G E 5 Gift Shop Corner, continued from page 2 occupation. President Swain’s daughter Ella met the Union general, life for these two young people who had spent the war on opposite But, as a close friend of the Swains wrote, when Atkins met sides was forever altered. General Smith Atkins of Illinois Ella, the two “‘changed eyes’ at first sight and a wooing abhorred slavery and greatly admired Abraham Lincoln. Spirited followed.” The reaction of the Swains and fellow North young Ella Swain had been raised in a slave-owning family and Carolinians to this North-South love affair was swift and often had spent the war years gathering supplies to send to unforgiving. Confederate soldiers.

Against this unlikely backdrop began a passionate and Becky Sawyer controversial love story still vivid in town lore. When Join the Friends of Fort Fisher

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP $500+ Individual Membership $25 Benefits will be extended to a designated representative of the Family Membership $40 corporation plus donor board recognition. In addition, Student Membership (under age 21) $15 corporate members shall be entitled to a yearly use of the Overseas Membership $10 facility for an event (covering museum cost and usage).

BENEFITS ARMSTRONG SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP $500+ 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, use of the museum reference library, and and at the annual meeting of the Friends of Fort Fisher. invitations to special Friends of Fort Fisher events throughout the year. OTHER WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE Memorial & Honor Gifts SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP $500+ Artifact Donations All of the benefits above, plus VIP acknowledgements in all Volunteers special programs and recognition on the museum’s permanent Named Gift Opportunities donor board. Bequests

MEMBERSHIP ENROLLMENT FORM Membership Categories Name______Individual $25 ______Address______Family $40 ______Student (under age 21) $15 ______City______Overseas $10 ______State______Zip______Sustaining $500+ ______Business $500+ ______Telephone______Armstrong Society $500+ ______Email______

O New O Renewal Payment O Cash O Check O Credit Card All contributions are tax deductible, less the fair market value Make checks payable to Friends of Fort Fisher of goods and services received. O VISA O MasterCard If you choose to waive your membership benefits, your contri- bution is fully tax-deductible. Name on Card______O I wish to waive my membership benefits Account #______O My employer has a matching gift program. Expiration Date______3-digit security code______Proper forms are enclosed Signature______Date______THE POWDER MAGAZINE Fort Fisher State Historic Site This newsletter was 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd South P.O. Box 169 produced with support from Kure Beach, North Carolina 28449 the Friends of Fort Fisher Phone: (910) 458-5538 Friends of Fort Fisher Fax: (910) 458-0477 Board of Directors: E-mail: [email protected] Peter T. D’Onofrio, Chairman Gehrig Spencer, Vice-Chairman Earl Lane, Secretary John Coble, Treasurer All demonstrations are subject to change, Harry Payne, Jr. please contact the site for details on these and R. James MacLaren other programs. Funding for our programs is Jerome Fennell provided in part by the Friends of Fort Fisher. Dr. Jack Hisley Fort Fisher State Historic Site is a part of the Earnestine Keaton North Carolina Department of Cultural Mike Hoffer Resources. Paul Laird, Development Director Major Spring & Summer Programs at Fort Fisher April 10, 2010 June 2, 2010 2nd Saturdays at June 19, 2010 Park Day Costumed Tours Fort Fisher in June, “Support Our Troops” Begin for Summer ‘10 July, and August 2010

Interested in helping to Wednesday through Visit Fort Fisher as we This large scale program will beautify Fort Fisher? Saturday at 11am and 3pm, partner with local artists to demonstrate how civilians Volunteer for Park Day and Sundays at 3pm, a provide visitors with a supported Fort Fisher’s 2010, sponsored by the Civil costumed guide will offer unique experience at our garrison during the Civil War Preservation Trust and tours of the remains of the historic fort, pairing our War and give visitors an the History Channel! This is fort. Following the tour, at cultural history with our opportunity to support our a great project for scout 11:45am and 3:45pm arts communities. See the troops fighting overseas. troops and youth groups, (Sundays at 3:45pm only) the article on page 1 for more Donations will be accepted but we are also looking for Mary Holloway interpreter information. for care-packages and any volunteers ages 10 & up. will conduct a small arms June 12 visitors of all ages are invited All volunteers must register weapons demonstration. Exploring Our to write letters to our men in advance by calling (910) The seasonal interpreter Historical Landscape and women fighting so far 458-5538 x502 or emailing program is named in honor from home. Artillery and July 10 infantry demonstrations are [email protected]. of the site’s first costumed Life on Fort Fisher’s tour guide. scheduled throughout the Waterways day. More information on August 14 this program will be available Small Summer Programs in 2010 Living Our in spring 2010. Civil War History Stop by Fort Fisher State Historic Site on any Saturday from June 12 to August 14, 2010, and we will have a small family-oriented program offered for visitors of all ages. Learn about the garrison’s garden and plant your own seed to take home in Seeds of History (June 26), experience Civil War artillery in Cannoneers: Load, Ready, Fire! (July 17 & August 7), travel back in time with Running the Blockade in Stories and Song (July 31), send your own secret messages on our airstrip with Coded Communication in the Civil War (July 24), and celebrate Independence Day with us during Flag Day (July 3).