Battle of Fort Blakeley
Fort Blakeley, Baldwin County, Alabama, USA
What happened
Union forces under Edward Canby and Frederick Steele attacked the Confederate garrison under St. John R. Liddell. Union troops moved up the eastern shore of Mobile Bay and took Spanish Fort on 8 April. On 9 April about 16,000 Union soldiers, including about 5,000 U.S. Colored Troops, attacked Fort Blakeley. They broke through the earthworks, and the defenders surrendered within about 30 minutes. More than 2,800 Confederates were captured.
Why it matters
It is often called the last major battle of the Civil War, fought hours after Lee surrendered at Appomattox. It led to the fall of Mobile, the last major Confederate port captured by the Union.
What came next
Union forces occupied Mobile on 12 April 1865. The site is now Historic Blakeley State Park.
Did you know?
Ulysses S. Grant was among critics who felt Canby's campaign moved too slowly to help much.
Timeline
- 2 Apr 1865The siege of Fort Blakeley begins.
- 8 Apr 1865Spanish Fort falls.
- 9 Apr 1865Fort Blakeley is captured, hours after Lee surrenders at Appomattox.
- 12 Apr 1865Union forces occupy Mobile.