Battle of Fort Anderson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Fort Anderson
Part of the American Civil War
Date March 13, 1863 – March 15, 1863 Location Craven County, North Carolina Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Hiram Anderson Alexander Murray	Daniel H. Hill
Units involved
1st Division, XVIII Corps	Hill's Division
Strength
45,000	12,000
Casualties and losses
2 killed 4 wounded	2 killed 21 wounded

Map of Fort Anderson Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program.

The Battle of Fort Anderson, also called the Battle of Deep Gully, was a fight during the American Civil War. It happened from March 13 to 15, 1863, in Craven County, North Carolina. This battle was part of a larger plan by Confederate forces in the Tidewater area.

Why the Battle Happened

The American Civil War was a conflict between the Union (the northern states) and the Confederacy (the southern states). In February 1863, Confederate Lt. Gen. James Longstreet took command of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina. He wanted to start a series of operations in the Tidewater region.

His main goal was to attack New Bern, a strong Union base. He ordered Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill to lead about 12,000 soldiers toward New Bern.

Confederate Plans

General Hill's plan was to move his troops towards New Bern. Another Confederate general, Maj. Gen. William H. C. Whiting, was supposed to help. However, General Whiting, who was in charge of the Wilmington area, decided not to join the attack.

The Battle at Fort Anderson

The battle began on March 13, 1863, at a place called Deep Gully. The Confederates had some early success there. After this, General Hill sent Brig. Gen. J. Johnston Pettigrew to attack Fort Anderson.

Fighting at the Fort

Fort Anderson was on the opposite side of the river from New Bern. The Union soldiers there were well-protected in their defenses. General Pettigrew's troops attacked the fort on March 14 and 15.

However, Union gunboats arrived to support the fort. These boats had powerful cannons that could fire on the Confederate positions. With the gunboats helping, the Union forces were too strong. General Pettigrew's troops had to retreat.

Union Reinforcements Arrive

After the Confederate attack, the city of New Bern received many more Union soldiers. This made it even harder for the Confederates to capture the city. General Hill realized he could not take New Bern.

After the Battle

General Hill decided to pull his troops away from New Bern. He then moved them to threaten Washington, North Carolina instead.

A Small Victory for the Confederates

Even though the Confederates did not capture New Bern, the mission was not a complete failure. General Hill's troops were able to find and collect food supplies. They gathered these supplies from areas that were not guarded by Union forces. This helped feed the Confederate soldiers.

Outcome

The Battle of Fort Anderson ended with a Union victory. The Union forces successfully defended Fort Anderson and New Bern.