In 1865 Wilmington is the South’s last open seaport on the Atlantic. When Fort Fisher falls on January 15, Confederate troops retreat north toward Wilmington.

On February 19, General Robert Hoke sets up headquarters three miles south of Wilmington. The next day he sends a 900-man brigade to build breastworks across Forks Road. At 3:00PM he sends the 5th US Colored Troops as the first to attack the trenches. Over two days the Union troops are repeatedly repulsed.

When Confederate Commander Braxton Bragg learns of the vast Northern force approaching Wilmington, he orders Hoke to retreat. Wilmington is abandoned on February 22.

Today my Sweetie and I took in the 5th Annual Civil War Living History enactment of the Battle of Forks Road. Remnants of the entrenchments have survived on the grounds of the Cameron Art Museum.

Surprisingly, most of the African American Union soldiers were from Ohio. Although the 54th Massachusetts is better known, the 5th Ohio Colored Troop was the most decorated one.

This battle literally had brother against brother. Confederal Corporal Hosea Horne of the Wilmington Horse Artillery fought against Corporal Jacob Horne of the 2nd NC Carolina Infantry of the Union Army. Each has visited their parents separately at the family home located near the battle. Both returned home safely at the end of the war.