Today is the 144th Anniversary of the Christmas Battle

RoadDog

Corporal
Joined
May 29, 2008
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The Great Midwest
Otherwise called the First Battle of Fort Fisher. In the wee hours of the 24th, Federals exploded the Louisiana which was filled with gunpowder in hopes the concussion would knock the fort down. Was it the first atom bomb?
 
Snafu?

There must have been a snafu at the first battle between Gens. Butler, Ames, and Curtiss, which resulted in about 650 soldiers being left on the beach north of Fort Fisher for two days until the weather improved.

It appears that Curtis and his trops were moving in for an attack when they found out the rest of the landing party had disembarked.

Was this part of the reason for the strained relations between Ames and Curtis after the war?
 
Not Really

Otherwise called the First Battle of Fort Fisher. In the wee hours of the 24th, Federals exploded the Louisiana which was filled with gunpowder in hopes the concussion would knock the fort down. Was it the first atom bomb?

Technically, no atoms were split, ergo not an atomic bomb. But could it perhaps be the first 'bunker buster' type bomb?
JIM Tee
 
With explosives, distance is an enemy. The closer the explosive is to the target, the greater the absorbtion of the explosive force by the target. Creating distance allows the energy to dissipate as it reaches the target. A glacis, as presented by a sloping sandy beach, also helps to channel that force upwards. Butler didn't know this stuff. He also didn't know that the Louisiana should have reinforced on its seaward side so that the energy would be directed towards the land.

The best thing about the expedition to Fort Fisher was that its failure allowed Grant to relieve Butler from his command; thereby eliminating any possibility that the senior most and arguably the most incompetent major-general in the army would succeed him.
 
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