Dare County: Gateway to the Albemarle --- Manns Harbor NC
N 35° 54.708 W 075° 46.104
18S E 430667 N 3974437
Located on US 64/264 at Umstead Memorial Bridge in Manns Harbor in
Dare, NC, US
Waymark Code: WM83EJ
Location: North Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 01/20/2010
Views: 5
Gateway to the Albemarle
"I fear for Roanoke Island." Brigadier-General D.H. Hill, C.S. Army, October 27, 1861
These words foreshadowed the South's last stand for this region and reflected the thoughts of many Southern leaders. Early on, both sides recognized the strategic location of the island. Possession meant control of the channels connecting Pamlico Sound southward, as well as the Albemarle and Currituck Sounds, the "back doors" to Hampton Roads, Virginia. During late summer 1861, Confederate troops began obstructing Croatan Sound with pilings and sunken ships (A). On the mainland, a battery aboard a canal boat hauled ashore became Ft. Forrest (B). Three earthen forts on the island were built to protect the channel: Forts Huger (C), Blanchard (D) and Bartow (E). A two-gun battery on Ballast Pt. (F) faced shallow Roanoke Sound. Only three light cannons defended the island's main road (G), where the battle was decided. Assisting the forts were seven lightly armed, shallow-draft ships of the Confederate navy's "Mosquito Fleet." The ill-equipped Confederates planned to lure the Union ships onto the underwater obstructions within range of their shore batteries, but they were overwhelmed by the Union armada of eighty ships carrying 15,000 troops. After the island's capture on February 8, 1862, Federal forces commanded the waterways of eastern North Carolina which severely limited interstate transport for Southern shipping. The ports of Edenton, Elizabeth City, Hertford, Plymouth, Windsor and Winton were blockaded and soon captured. These Northern successes forced the South to redeploy thousands of troops away from defending Richmond, their capital city, to counter the Union advances throughout the Albemarle.
Marker Name: Dare County: Gateway to the Albemarle
Marker Type: City
Local North Carolina markers without State Number Designation: Markers Without State Number Designation Options
Required Waymark Photo: yes
Related Web Link: Not listed
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