Battle of Fort Blakely

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Fort Blakely


caption="Storming of Fort Blakely"
partof=the American Civil War
date=April 2-April 9, 1865
place=Baldwin County, Alabama
result=Union victory, Fort Blakely surrendered
combatant1= flagicon|USA|1863 United States (Union)
combatant2= flagicon|CSA CSA (Confederacy)
commander1=Edward Canby
commander2=St. John R. Liddell
strength1= Army of West Mississippi
strength2= Fort Blakely Garrison
casualties1= 629 men
casualties2= 2,900 men

The Battle of Fort Blakely took place from April 2-April 9, 1865 in Baldwin County, Alabama, as part of the of the American Civil War.

Maj. Gen. Edward Canby's Union 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, Alabama and nearby Fort Blakely. By April 1, Union forces had enveloped Spanish Fort, thereby releasing more troops to focus on Fort Blakely. Confederate 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 in the Battle of Spanish Fort. This allowed Canby to concentrate 16,000 men for the attack on April 9, led by Brig. Gen. John P. Hawkins. Sheer numbers breached the Confederate earthworks, compelling the Confederates, including Liddell, to surrender. The siege and capture of Fort Blakely was basically the last combined-force battle of the war. Yet, it is criticized by some (such as Ulysses S. Grant) as an ineffective contribution to Union war effort due to Canby's lateness in engaging his troops. African-American forces played a major role in the successful Union assault.

ources

* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/al006.htm National Park Service CWSAC Battle Summary]