Fort Branch (2)

Fort Branch (2) (1862-1865) - A Confederate earthworks fort established in 1862, during the U.S. Civil War, in Martin County, North Carolina. Named for Confederate General Lawrence O’Brian Branch, former adjutant general of North Carolina, who was killed at Sharpsburg, 17 Sep 1862. The fort was abandoned in April 1865.

Fort Branch (2) History

The original fortification was built in February 1862 with an upper battery of three guns and a lower battery of two guns by Confederate engineer, Captain Richard K. Meade. Part of his original fortification was destroyed by a Union raid but a stronger eleven gun fortification was completed in two months and the guns mounted by 9 Feb 1863.

The fort was evacuated on 10 Apr 1865, a day after general Lee surrendered at Appomattox. The remaining ammunition was dumped into the Fort's well and the guns were dumped into the Roanoke River.

Current Status

Private Property administered by the Fort Branch Battlefield Commission, Martin County, North Carolina. The site has been restored and eight of the original twelve guns were recovered from the Roanoke River and are on display.

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Location: Private Property open to the public in Martin County, North Carolina. Maps & Images Lat: 35.92741 Long: -77.17140 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: .....'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 610

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Branch (2)
• Fort Branch Site

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