Civil War E67 Fire and Sand: Marines at Fort Fisher
This episode covers the final months of the Civil War, focusing on the Marine Corps' role at Fort Fisher. It was the last major Confederate stronghold on the coast, and its fall marked the beginning of the end for the South. Marines were tasked with supporting a large-scale amphibious assault, but confusion, poor communication, and leadership breakdowns turned the operation into a disaster.
After Fort Fisher, the Confederate Marine Corps all but collapsed. The war would end weeks later at Appomattox, followed by Lincoln’s assassination. In the aftermath, the Marine Corps faced serious challenges including desertion, low morale, and a changing national mission. Although often overlooked, Marines made a meaningful impact in the Civil War, and this episode highlights their contribution as the nation transitioned into a new era.
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Solomon Hagerty Diary, 1864-1867
REFERENCES
Confederate States of America. (1974). Constitution of the Confederate States of America: Adopted unanimously by the Congress of the Confederate States of America, March 11, 1861.Foner, E. (2012). The fiery trial: Abraham Lincoln and American slavery. New York: W.W. Norton.
Foner, E., Dietz, N., Tantor Media., & OneClick Digital (Firm). (2011). The fiery trial: Abraham Lincoln and American slavery. Old Saybrook, Conn.: Tantor Media.
Grant, U. S., In Marszalek, J. F., In Nolen, D. S., & In Gallo, L. P. (2019). The personal memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant: The complete annotated edition.
House Documents, Otherwise Publ. as Executive Documents: 13th Congress, 2d Session-49th Congress, 1st Session. (1862). United States: (n.p.).
Leonard, J. W., Chitty, F. F. (1920). Story of the United States' marines ... "1740-1919". New York: U.S. marine corps.
Lincoln, A. (1990). The collected works of Abraham Lincoln: 1848-1865. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers Univ. Press.
Metcalf, C. H. (1941). A history of the United States Marine Corps. New York: Putnam.
United States., & McClellan, E. N. (1932). History of the United States Marine Corps. Washington.