Fort Fisher (3)
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Fort Fisher (3) (1864-1865) - A Union U.S. Civil War Fort established in 1864 near Petersburg, Dinwiddie County, Virginia. Named Fort Fisher after 1st Lieutenant Otis Fisher, 8th U.S. Infantry, who was killed at the Battle of Peebles Farm 30 Sep 1864. Abandoned in 1865 at the end of the war.
History of Fort Fisher Initially established on 3 Oct 1864 as a square earthworks redoubt mounting seven guns. Rebuilt in January-March 1865, as a larger, bastioned fortification enclosing 4.3 acres providing positions for nineteen field guns. This second fort had a rectangular trace with four bastions, one at each angle. Inside the compound were three large rectangular bombproof powder magazines that were in traverse of the bastions. Fifteen of the guns positions fired through embrasures and four guns were positioned en-barbette on the bastions. Fort Fisher was reportedly the largest of the Union fortifications at Petersburg with a garrison size of 300. It required some 2,058 labor days to complete. Fort Fisher was one of several fortifications that comprised what was known as the "fish hook" line on the southwestern side of Petersburg. It was placed at the curved end of the hook protecting a large signal tower that stood at the center of the curved section. The fort directly faced the Confederate defenses. Fort Fisher was abandoned in 1865 at the end of the war.
Current Status[Fisher Interpretive Panel - The Largest Fort]
Part of the Petersburg National Battlefield. Markers, interpretive panels along with the earthworks remains of the fort. The earthworks outline and the bastions are clearly visible. Some surviving gun embrasures, platforms, ramps, and sections of banquettes.
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Visited: 2 Apr 2012
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