Battle of Fort Blakely

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Battle of Fort Blakely
Part of the American Civil War
Storming of Fort Blakely
Date April 2-April 9, 1865 Location Baldwin County, Alabama Result Union victory, Fort Blakely surrendered
Combatants
United States of America (U.S. Army)	Confederate States of America (Confederate States Army)
Commanders
Edward Canby	St. John R. Liddell
Strength
Army of West Mississippi	Fort Blakely Garrison
Casualties
629 men	2,900 men

Mobile Campaign
Spanish Fort – Fort Blakely

The Battle of Fort Blakely took place from April 2-April 9, 1865 in Baldwin County, Alabama, as part of the Mobile Campaign of the American Civil War.

Maj. Gen. Edward Canby's forces, the XVI and XIII Corps, moved along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, forcing the Confederates back into their defenses. Union forces then concentrated on Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. By April 1, Union forces had enveloped Spanish Fort, thereby releasing more troops to focus on Fort Blakely. Brig. Gen. St. John R. Liddell, with about 4,000 men, held out against the much larger Union force until Spanish Fort fell on April 8, allowing Canby to concentrate 16,000 men for the attack on April9. Sheer numbers breached the Confederate earthworks, compelling the Confederates to capitulate. The siege and capture of Fort Blakely was basically the last combined-force battle of the war. Yet, it is criticized by some (such as Ulysses S. Grant) as an ineffective contribution to Union war effort due to Canby's lateness in engaging his troops. African-American forces played a major role in the successful Union assault.

[edit] Sources

• National Park Service CWSAC Battle Summary