Forgotten Forts Series - Huggins Island Fort

NFB22

Sergeant Major
Joined
Jun 21, 2012
Location
Louisville, KY
Huggins Island Fort was a Confederate fortification on Huggins Island near Swansboro, North Carolina. The island is located near Bogue Inlet at the mouth of the White Oak River. The position was more of a coastal artillery battery than a fort. It consisted of a horseshoe shaped earthwork with a ditch located in front of the battery. Union forces reported the battery was built to house up to 13 guns. The fort was not given an official name and was referred to as either Huggins Island Fort or the Huggins Island Battery.
Photo111941.jpg

Following the capture of Hatteras Inlet other ports such as the one at Swansboro became more important making construction of defensive positions in the area a priority. The fort was built in the final months of 1861 and garrisoned around the time of its completion by North Carolina troops. Along with the battery an earthern "bombproof" or magazine was built to the rear of the battery along with barracks for the garrison. The fort was armed with 6 guns, most likely 32 pounders captured from the Norfolk Navy Yard by Confederate forces.

The fort never saw action and its garrison withdrew in March of 1862. Later in the year the fort was captured by Union forces and was destroyed on August 19, 1862.
HUIS BATTERY MAP2.png

Today the remains of Huggins Island Fort are part of Hammocks Beach State Park. The island is accessible by private boat where you can tour the earthworks. There is also a historical marker nearby.

http://www.fortwiki.com/Huggins_Island_Fort

Also be sure to check out all other "forgotten forts" in the Forgotten Forts Series Index (Link Below)
http://www.civilwartalk.com/threads/forgotten-forts-series-index.80901/
 
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