The Largest Fort

Fort Fisher was the largest of the more than 30 forts along the Union siege lines, with nearly 2,000 feet of parapet and room for 19 guns. On the morning of April 2, 1865, the boom of a single gun from this fort signaled the opening of the final Union assaults on Petersburg and portended the city's fall. Lt. Col. Elisha H. Rhodes of the 2nd R.I. recalled that when the signal sounded, the entire corps, despite orders to keep silent, gave a mighty cheer and dashed forward into the fog.

Petersburg, Virginia · United States