history of fort macon

Beaufort was captured and pillaged by the Spanish (1747), and captured by the English (1782), (see article: Blackbeard’s visit to Beaufort Inlet). For the 12 years after the war, Federal soldiers continued to occupy the fort. These were the most guns the fort ever had. Some 9.2 million bricks were used. Five sewers or drains carried water to a central drain in the center of the parade ground. The forts were built between 1817 and 1865. North Carolina leaders recognized the need for coastal defenses to prevent future attacks and began efforts to construct forts. Finally, the garrison was reduced and the living conditions improved. Lee noted in 1840 the site of the fort was denoted by a line of breakers offshore. Two American soldiers were injured in Casemate 2 when a cannon shot they had placed in the fireplace as an andiron exploded from the heat of the fire. The Confederates worked feverishly to prepare the fort for battle over the next few months. (Submitted on June 1, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.) Wells outside the fort provided drinking water. Picnic shelters and group campsites that accommodate less than 50 people are open. CCSS.Literacy.RI.4.7 - Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively. 4.G.1.SS - Understand how human, environmental and technological factors affect the growth and development of North Carolina. Available at Fort Macon Bookstore and at bookstores in Morehead City/Beaufort Area, Paul Branch, Fort Macon, A History (Charleston, SC: Nautical and Aviation Publishing Company of America, 1999) The definitive history of the Fort. 1615 Mail Service Center Rather than be blown up by their own gunpowder, the garrison had little choice but to surrender. Parke easily captured Morehead City and Beaufort on March 23 and 26, respectively, and then transferred his troops, supplies, and artillery over to Bogue Banks. The ceilings are arched to give added strength and dissipate concussion from shells exploding on terrepleins or from guns firing in battle. (Submitted on May 29, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.) The purpose of Fort Macon was to guard Beaufort Inlet and Beaufort Harbor, the only major deep water ocean port in North Carolina. Fort Macon State Park's Eliot Coues' Trail lets you hike through many diverse habitats, including the rarely-found maritime forest. Gen. Simon Bernard and built by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. The fort was virtually abandoned except for caretakers until 1898 when, at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, it was occupied by a portion of the Third North Carolina Volunteers, an all-Black regiment commanded by Colonel James Young, also an African American. Paul Branch, a ranger/historian at Fort Macon has illustrated his book with original engineering … American Prairie Filmworks Recommended for you On October 1, 1946, the Army returned the fort and the park to the state. Construction of the present fort … Once protecting the small coastal town of Beaufort from assaults by Spanish raids, pirates such as Blackbeard and even the Confederate Army, Fort Macon is now a State Park of North Carolina and has been so since 1924. Fort Macon was named for Nathaniel Macon, very prominent North Carolina statesman of that period. Get Directions ». The eastern point of Bogue Banks was determined to be the best location from which a fort might guard the entrance to Beaufort Inlet. Because there was a seepage problem with salt water, the water was never used for drinking. Today, Fort Macon is one of North Carolina’s most visited state parks, welcoming more than 1 million visitors each year. Three demands to surrender were refused by the fort. Early in 1862, Union forces commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside swept through eastern North Carolina, and part of Burnside’s command under Brig. Weather appropriate clothing. The ditch was defended by four “Counterfire” rooms in the covertway which swept all avenues with rifle fire and small cannon firing anti-personnel ammunition. Welcome to the Official U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Macon Facebook page. There are no equipment rentals and concessions available. Finally, in 1924, the state acquired it from the Federal Government with the intentions of making it into a state park. For more information on The Confederate force was later attacked in 1862, and the fort fell int… Fort Dobbs was begun in 1756 during French and Indian War, but the war ended and the fort was never completed. Often, an ordnance sergeant acting as a caretaker was the only person stationed by the Army at the fort. One Federal killed, three wounded. 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