April 2-9 1865: Battle of Fort Blakely

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Battle of fort Blakely
April 2-9 1865

Storming of Fort Blakeley, U.S. battle April 2-9, 1865. “Probably the last charge of this war, it was as gallant as any on record.”

 

Location: Baldwin County
Campaign: Mobile Campaign (1865)
Date(s): April 2-9, 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. E.R.S. Canby [US]; Brig. Gen. St. John R. Liddell [CS]

Major General E. R. S. Canby
St. John Richardson Liddell

Forces Engaged: XIII and XVI Corps [US]; Fort Blakely Garrison [CS]
Estimated Casualties: Total 4,475. April 9 only 3,529 (US 629; CS 2,900)
Description: E.R.S. 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 April 9. 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. African-American forces played a major role in the successful Union assault.