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Longstreet's
Tidewater Operations
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The Battle of Fort Anderson, also known as the Battle of Deep Gully, took place from March 13 to March 15, 1863, in Craven County, North Carolina, as part of Confederate Lt. Gen. James Longstreet's Tidewater operations during the American Civil War.
Lt. Gen. Longstreet took charge of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina on February 25 and initiated his Tidewater Operations. He directed Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill, commander of the North Carolina District, to advance on the Union stronghold of New Bern with about 12,000 men. Maj. Gen. William H. C. Whiting, who commanded the Wilmington garrison, refused to cooperate. After an initial success at Deep Gully on March 13, Hill marched against the well-entrenched Federals at Fort Anderson on March 14 and March 15. Hill was forced to retire upon the arrival of Union gunboats. The city's garrison was heavily reinforced, and Hill withdrew to threaten Washington, North Carolina.
The battle in Fort Anderson did not begin until after Fort Fisher fell. On January 22, 1865, seven one-hundred pound Parrot shells were shot at the fort and made contact with a warehouse. The US Navy shot at the fort on the February 10th. After a couple of days, nothing happened. Then on February 17th, the shooting began again and the fort attempted to fight back 8 with the mediocre supplies they had. The fighting continued for three days. The people of Fort Anderson were forced to evacuate quickly due to being outnumbered and losing. The US Army approached the empty fort just as the US Navy did. The Navy began an attack on the army, thinking that the people were Confederates. Of course, the US Army surrendered quickly. It is the only time in history where the US Army surrendered to the US Navy.
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United States (Union)
CSA (Confederacy)
