North Carolina Forts

American Forts: East

NORTH CAROLINA

Last Update: 29/MARCH/2008

Compiled by Pete Payette - й2008 American Forts Network

Camp Whiting (2)
(1864), Lockwood Folly Inlet
A CSA camp near Holden Beach.

Fort Holmes (2)
(Old Baldy Lighthouse and Smith Island Museum)
(1862 - 1865), Bald Head Island
An extensive CSA earthworks fort located west and south of the lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1818. The main work was called Battery Holmes (eight guns and two magazines revetted with palmetto logs), located at the extreme western tip of the point. This section may have eroded away. Continuing southeast was Battery #1 (one gun and a magazine) and Battery #2 (one gun). These also may have eroded away. Along the line northeast to the lighthouse was located Battery #3 (five guns and two magazines), an unfinished battery, and then Battery #4 (four guns and two magazines) surrounding the lighthouse. This portion still exists. The fort was destroyed to avoid Union capture in January 1865.

д COAST DEFENSES of WILMINGTON
North Carolina Coastal Defenses

д Fort Caswell (2)
(1826 - 1865, 1894 - 1926, 1941 - 1946), Oak Island
Construction continued until 1838, and it was one of only three masonry forts in the state before the Civil War. It was named in 1833 and captured by the Confederates in 1861. Built of stone and earthworks, it was partially destroyed in a mine explosion during the Civil War and was abandoned only when Fort Fisher fell in January 1865. A small earthwork battery may have been located here in 1813. Modern coastal defense batteries here are Battery Bagley (1903 - 1925), Battery Caswell (1899 - 1925), which was modified for a swimming pool, Battery Swift (1898 - 1920), New Battery Madison (1905 - 1917), Battery McDonough (1902 - 1905), Battery Shipp (1901 - 1919), Battery Madison (1899 - 1904), Battery McKavett (1903 - 1920), and New Battery McDonough (1904 - 1925). Several of the original post buildings remain in good condition and in current use. A fire-control tower still remains. The reservation was used in WWII as a Navy Section Base and Army Depot. The fort is on private property, but tours can be arranged through the North Carolina State Baptist Convention.

Located to the west of the old fort were the Confederate earthworks Battery Shaw (one gun), and Fort (or Battery) Campbell (1) (both 1862 - 1865). They were destroyed in order to avoid capture. Fort Campbell had 18 guns and a large bomb-proof magazine, and was located about where Battery Shipp is now located. Battery Shaw was located about halfway between Fort Campbell and Fort Caswell, at the location of Battery Swift.

Fort Johnston
(1748 - 1881/2005), Southport
Originally built in 1748, it was attacked by the Spanish fleet that same year (September 1748). It was a small wooden square-shaped fort with four bastions and sand earthworks. It was rebuilt beginning in 1754 into a star-shaped stone and tabby fort (30 guns) with four bastions and a dry moat. It had 27 guns in 1771. It was rebuilt again in 1773. Loyalist Governor Josiah Martin took refuge here in June 1775, then removed the guns. The fort was then destroyed by Patriots in July 1775, but later rebuilt in early 1779 with six guns, with 12 more added later. The British recaptured it in January 1781 only to then abandon it in November 1781. Rebuilt yet again as a Federal fort in 1794 and 1799-1800. It was reported as an eight-gun heavy battery in 1806.
The Garrison House was built in 1810 and is the only part that remains today, located near Davis and Bay Streets. Three other buildings, including the 1835 hospital, also exist but they had been moved into town and were converted into houses. Various government and military agencies have used the Garrison House up to the present day. The U.S. Army's Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal occupied the reservation until just recently.
This fort was one of only three masonry forts in the state before the Civil War. The fort was seized by the CSA in 1861, but by 1862 it was only sand earthworks and sod covered mounds for four guns and two magazines. Renamed Fort Branch (1) in 1863. Renamed Fort Pender in 1864. The Union captured it in January 1865, but until then it helped keep Wilmington open to blockade runners.
New buildings were built in the 1870's, but the post closed in 1881. A searchlight position was here in World War II. The town was originally named Smithville. Of interest in town is the NC Maritime Museum at Southport at 115 North Howe Street.

Battery Island is located offshore (origin of name unknown).

Camp Radcliff
(1861 - 1865), near Southport
A CSA camp.

Battery Lamb (2)
(1862 - 1865), Reeve's Point
Part of the Wilmington outer defenses. It was located at the present-day Sunny Point U.S. Military Ocean Terminal. It was severely damaged in a magazine explosion in 1865. No remains.
CSA Camp Benbow was located just to the north.

Fort Anderson (1)
(Brunswick Town State Historic Site)
(1862 - 1865), Brunswick Town дNational Archives MAPд
First known as Fort St. Philip (1862 - 1863), it was built on the ruins of Brunswick Town (1726 - 1776). Well-preserved earthworks still remain. It had ten guns in two batteries in the main work, and three seperate batteries along a line to the west. It held until 30 days after Fort Fisher fell. The fort was originally named after St. Philip's Church, which still exists as ruins. A visitors' center and museum are here. The restoration of the old townsite is in progress. Access may be restricted in times of military emergency, due to its location adjacent to the Sunny Point Military Terminal.

Just to the south was Brunswick Town Battery (1740's), an old earthwork from the colonial period. The town was attacked by the Spanish in 1748. This battery was briefly used in 1862 by the CSA as Fort St. Philip was being built.
CSA Camp Belvidere was located about two miles north near Allen Creek.

Fort Fisher (State Park)
(1861 - 1865), Kure Beach дNational Archives MAP 1д | дNational Archives MAP 2д
Originally called Battery Bolles, it was rebuilt in 1862. It covered one mile of the shoreline on the eastern flank (sea-face), composed of eight seperate batteries (Battery Hedrick two guns, Lenoir Battery two guns, Battery Roland two guns, Purdie Battery one gun, Battery Bolles two guns, Columbiad Battery six guns, Cumberland Battery one gun, Battery Meade four guns), and one-third mile of land defense on the northern flank (land-face) (27 guns, including Shepherd's Battery four guns, a two-gun demilune covering the main sallyport, two guns covering the River Road sallyport, and the Northeast Bastion two guns). The 43-foot high two-gun Mound Battery (aka Battery Lamb (1)) was the southern anchor on the sea-face. Traces remain. Battery Holland provided a land defense on the northern flank. This fort was the last major stronghold of the Confederacy and was not captured until after several Union attempts in January 1865. It kept the Cape Fear River clear of Union ships. Most of the sea-face has eroded into the sea, as well as the Northeast Bastion. Shepherd's Battery and the palisades on the north flank have been reconstructed. The visitor center is located outside the land-face in the WWII airstrip.

Camp Wyatt (1) was located two miles north of the fort, along with a hospital and commissary. Camp Badger (2) was also located nearby. Three miles north along the shore was Flag Pond Battery, or Battery Anderson. Guarding the entrance to New Inlet was once Battery (or Fort) Buchanan, a four-gun elliptical earthwork at the tip of Federal (Confederate) Point. Remnants are still extant near the present-day ferry terminal. There was also Zeke's Island Battery (two guns) to the south of Federal Point (the site no longer exists as it did then). New Inlet has since shoaled over (now "The Basin").
North Carolina Coastal Defenses

дд TEMPORARY HARBOR DEFENSES of WILMINGTON

дд Kure Beach Military Reservation
(1942 - 1944), Kure Beach
A four-gun 155mm battery in revetments was located to the south of old Fort Fisher to defend the inlet to Wilmington. Several 40mm and 90mm AA guns were also emplaced. Training firing ranges (90mm AA and 155mm) for nearby Camp Davis were also located here. Three steel observation towers were erected. Several concrete magazines were constructed near old Battery Buchanan, which was damaged as a result. One magazine or bunker is currently located within the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area along a trail to the south of the North Carolina Aquarium. The "Fort Fisher Hermit" was a local legend that reportedly lived in the bunker for 17 years. On the north-side of old Fort Fisher was built an auxiliary field for Camp Davis Army Airfield, which post-war became Fort Fisher Air Force Station. The grass airstrip and modern-day US 421 have cut through the original land-face of Fort Fisher. The post commissary and exchange still exist, now in use by the Underwater Archaeology Section of the NC Dept. of Cultural Resources. (See also Camp Davis listed below). Of interest nearby is the North Carolina Military Museum at the NC National Guard Training Center.

The Federal Point History Center at 1121-A North Lake Park Blvd. in Carolina Beach has exhibits on the Fort Fisher Firing Point and anti-aircraft artillery training.

Of interest in downtown Wilmington is the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science (admission fee), at 814 Market Street, which was once the former armory for Battery A, 252nd Coast Artillery, NC NG (1936 - 1940). It was converted to a museum in 1969, renovated in 1991.

Battery Gatlin
(1862 - 1865), Carolina Beach
Located on the west-side of Myrtle Grove Sound. The Union referred to it as Half-Moon Battery (six guns). It was part of the Wilmington outer defenses. Site marked and preserved in the Forest-by-the-Sea condo complex.

At Sugarloaf on the east-side of the Cape Fear River (within Carolina Beach State Park) was the fortified Sugarloaf Signal Station. Trenches still remain in the woods.

Post at Wilmington
(1781), Wilmington
British troops under Major James Craig occupied the port city beginning in January 1781. Defensive works were thrown up in several places. British Major General Cornwallis' army encamped near the city in April 1781 for two weeks after marching east from Greensboro / Snow Camp. From here Cornwallis then marched north to Petersburg, VA. A small garrison remained until evacuated in November 1781. The Burgwin-Wright House (1770) at 224 Market Street was used as the British headquarters (admission fee).

Civil War Defenses of Wilmington
(1861 - 1865), Wilmington
The city was surrounded by CSA earthwork batteries beginning in 1862. From south to north were McRae Battery, Parsley Battery, Bellamy Battery, Wright Battery (1), McRee Battery, Dawson Battery, Moore's Bastion (1), Miller Battery, Hobson Battery, Smith's Battery, Andrew Battery, and Green's Battery. Batteries along the riverfront were Batteries 1-5, renamed in 1863 to Batteries Wright (2), Meares, Moore (2), VanBokkelen, and Cowan. The city surrendered in February 1865 only after Fort Fisher fell in January.

CSA camps located in the general area were: Camp Anderson (1) (1861) located within the city, Camp Lamb (1862 - 1865), Camp Jackson (1863 - 1865), and Camp Pettigrew (2) (1862). Undetermined locations: Camp Holmes (3) and Camp Patterson.

To the south along the Cape fear River were Battery Tirza (renamed Battery Stokes in 1863), and Fort Strong (renamed Fort Davis in 1863). Further south were Fort French (three guns) (renamed Fort Lee [two guns] in 1863), Camp French (1862 - 1863) located behind Fort French, Fort Gun Battery (renamed Fort Campbell (2) (five guns) in 1863), and Fort Hill (1) (renamed Fort Meares [five guns] in 1863). All were located at the state port across from Campbell Island. These forts guarded obstructions in the river to block the Federal gunboats. No remains of any of them. Camp Leventhorpe (2) (1862) was located on Fowler's Point (location ?).

To the east in Pine Valley (Forks Road Battlefield) are remains of CSA earthworks located at 17th Street Extension and Independence Blvd. South of the airport across from Smith Creek was CSA Camp Burgwyn (2). Camp Whiting (1) (1863) was CSA winter quarters located two miles east of downtown. Camp Heath was located at Scott's Hill. CSA Camp Davis (1) (1861 - 1864) was located on Middle Sound.

Heron's Bridge Earthwork
(1781), near Mooretown
A Patriot militia defense at a crossing of the Northeast Cape Fear River about ten miles northeast of Wilmington. Attacked unsucessfully by the British.

Topsail Inlet Civil War Camps
(1861 - 1865), Topsail Inlet
CSA camps located in the area included: Camp Ashe on Topsail Sound, Camp Florida on Topsail Island, Camp Pettigrew (3) (1863) on Topsail Island.

Camp Davis (2)
(1940 - 1945), Holly Ridge
A WWII Coast Artillery anti-aircraft (90mm), seacoast gun (155mm), and barrage balloon training center, encompassing over 46,000 acres, including Topsail Island. Originally named Wilmington Anti-Aircraft Artillery Training Center until 1942. Firing ranges were located at Kure Beach (Fort Fisher), Holly Shelter, Maple Hill, New Topsail Inlet, and Sears Point. Negro troops were posted at seperate Camp Gibbins. Closed in 1944, the post then became an Army Air Corps convalescent hospital and German POW camp. In 1946 became a Navy jet engine and missile research facility. The Missiles and More Museum is located at 720 Channel Blvd. on Topsail Island. The post's HQ building was restored as a local restaurant in 1974. The post's main chapel was moved to Penderlea after the war (still exists - Potts Memorial Presbyterian Church). A second chapel was also moved after the war to 1626 Lake Branch Drive in Wilmington (still exists - Lake Forest Baptist Church). The water tower was moved after the war to Wilmington at North 17th Street and Princess Place Drive (dismantled 2005). (See also Kure Beach Reservation listed above)

Camp Cameron
(1862), Jacksonville
A CSA camp.

Camp Branch (3)
(1941 - 1944), Jacksonville
A WWII Coast Artillery (AA) training range and camp, located at the present-day Camp Lejeune Marine Base.

Bear Island Fort
(Hammocks Beach State Park)
(1749 - unknown), Bear Inlet
A small wooden NC colonial militia fort was once located here for protection against the Spanish. The actual site has eroded into the sea.

Huggins' Island Fort
(1862), Huggins Island
A Confederate six-gun fort guarding Bogue Inlet. It was burned by the Union in April 1862. The earthworks still remain. Administered by Hammocks Beach State Park.

Cape Lookout Fort
(1757), Cape Lookout
A NC colonial militia fort was proposed for this location to prevent French vessels from using the anchorage, but it is uncertain if it was ever actually built.

Fort Hancock (2)
(1778 - 1780), Cape Lookout
Built by French marines to protect their ships in Lookout Bight. It was later dismantled. Remains still existed as late as 1899. A marker is located on Harker's Island at Shell Point.

Carolina City Camp
(1861 - 1862), Morehead City
A large Confederate camp covering over one square mile in area. It was taken by the Union in April 1862 during the Fort Macon campaign. Site is now Morehead City Park.
Also located here was Camp Glenn, a state National Guard camp (1911 - 1918) followed by a Navy base (1918 - 1920). Then it became the first U.S. Coast Guard air station (1920 - 1921). The Navy returned in 1941 for use as an Area Section Base.

Other CSA camps located in the general area were: Camp Argyle, Camp Burgwyn (1) located at Atlantic Beach, Camp Canal in Morehead City, Camp Vance (3) one mile west of the city, and Camp Wilkes (1861) two miles from Fort Macon.

Fort Macon (State Park)
(1834 - 1903, 1941 - 1945), Atlantic Beach
Earlier forts were located here, including: Fort Dobbs (2) (1756), which was never completed, and five-gun Fort Hampton (1809 - 1815). The sites of both eventually eroded into the sea.

The current fort was one of only three masonry forts in the state before the Civil War. The Confederates held it from 1861 to April 1862. Union seige batteries were located on Bogue Island: Flagler's Battery (four mortars), Morris' Battery (three guns), and Prouty's Battery (four mortars), general sites are marked. The fort was used as a Federal prison from 1865 to 1876. A temporary battery was set up on the parapet in 1898. Black state troops were encamped outside the fort in 1898 until transferred to Camp Poland in Tennessee. This was the second state park in North Carolina (1924). It was restored in 1935. The Army regained the use of the fort in WWII, and had to demolish every new structure prior to handing it back to the state after the war. Fort Macon is currently undergoing extensive repairs. Another website at CrystalCoast.com.
North Carolina Coastal Defenses

ддд TEMPORARY HARBOR DEFENSES of BEAUFORT INLET
North Carolina Coastal Defenses

ддд Fort Macon and Cape Lookout Batteries
(Fort Macon State Park) (Cape Lookout National Seashore)
(1941 - 1945), Atlantic Beach and Cape Lookout
On the beach at Ft. Macon during World War II was Battery Macon, which had four 155mm guns (1941-1942) in revetments and later two 6-inch naval guns (1942-1944) on concrete mounts. It is now buried in the surf. Two 75mm field guns were emplaced on Bogue Point in 1941. Two mobile 90mm guns were emplaced on Bogue Point (1944 - 1945) near the rock jetty, as an examination battery. Battery Atlantic Beach (1941-1942), four 155mm guns in revetments, was located two and a half miles west of Atlantic Beach, almost due south of Camp Glenn in Morehead City. Two guns were later sent to Cape Lookout. There was a concrete observation post and plotting room (now in ruins) behind Battery Macon, another observation post by Battery Atlantic Beach, and a Harbor Entrance Control Post (dismantled after the war) on the parapet of Fort Macon. Another observation post was located on Shackleford Banks, on the western side by the inlet, and another about two miles west of Battery Atlantic Beach on Bogue Banks. There were seven searchlight positions from Atlantic Beach to Cape Lookout Point.

At Cape Lookout was Battery Cape Lookout which had two 155mm guns (1942) in revetments, and later two 5-inch naval guns (1942-1944) on concrete mounts. That battery is now in the surf near the old Coast Guard Station. An SCR-296A radar tower was in the dunes in front of the Coast Guard Station, and a Battery Commander's tower was on the shore behind the battery. Observation posts were located on Shackleford Banks near Bald Hill Bay, and on South Core Banks about four miles northeast of the Lighthouse. A Naval Radio Compass tower was 340 yards west of the SCR-296A radar tower. There were four 75mm guns (1941-1943) in field emplacements around the Coast Guard Station. Lookout Bight was a mined and net-protected safe anchorage for allied merchant ships until 1944.

Newport Barracks
(1861 - 1865), Newport
Confederate winter barracks captured by the Union in April 1862. Became the Union command post for the defensive system from New Bern to Morehead City.

Camp Graham
(1861 - 1862), Newport
A CSA camp located near the later-built Union Fort Benjamin.

Fort Benjamin
(1862), Newport
A Union fort located across the Newport River from town.

Havelock Station Blockhouse
(1862 - 1864), Havelock
A Union log blockhouse near Master's Mill that protected the railroad trestle over Slocum Creek. It was burned by CSA raiders in 1864.
(thanks to Edward Ellis, Havelock historian, for providing info)

Fort Pollock
(1712 - unknown), Carteret County
A NC colonial militia fort built somewhere on Core Sound (exact location undetermined).

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