Fort Fisher (3)

 (1864-1865) - A Union U.S. Civil War Fort established in 1864 near Petersburg, Dinwiddie County, Virginia. Named Fort Fisher after 1st Lieutenant Otis Fisher, 8th U.S. Infantry, who died on 3 Oct 1864 of wounds received at the Battle of Peebles Farm 30 Sep 1864. Abandoned in 1865 at the end of the war.

History of Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher was initially established on 3 Oct 1864 as a square earthworks redoubt mounting seven guns. Rebuilt in January-March 1865, as a larger, bastioned fortification enclosing 4.3 acres providing positions for nineteen field guns. This second fort had a rectangular trace with four bastions, one at each angle. Inside the compound were three large rectangular bombproof powder magazines that were in traverse of the bastions. Fifteen of the guns positions fired through embrasures and four guns were positioned en-barbette on the bastions. Fort Fisher was reportedly the largest of the Union fortifications at Petersburg with a garrison size of 300. It required some 2,058 labor days to complete.

Fort Fisher was one of several fortifications that comprised what was known as the "fish hook" line on the southwestern side of Petersburg. It was placed at the curved end of the hook protecting a large signal tower that stood at the center of the curved section. The fort directly faced the Confederate defenses and was situated between Fort Welch to the west and Fort Conahey to the east with entrenchments connecting them.

Current Status
Part of the Petersburg National Battlefield. Markers, interpretive panels along with the earthworks remains of the fort. The earthworks outline and the bastions are clearly visible. Some surviving gun embrasures, platforms, ramps, and sections of banquettes.

See Also:
 * Fort Welch
 * Fort Conahey
 * Fort Tracy
 * Civil War Defenses of Richmond and Petersburg

Sources:
 * NPS - Fort Fisher

Links:
 * North American Forts - Fort Fisher (3)
 * NPS - Petersburg
 * Historical Marker Database - The Largest Fort
 * Find A Grave - Lieutenant Otis Fisher