The causeways across the top of the bay between Mobile and Spanish Fort were built in the 1920s. The tunnel not till the 40s. Before that the only surface road trip between the two shores is a 65 mile trip up to Frisco and Jackson Alabama, over the river and down the other side. The Mims Ferry from Fort Stoddert to Old burned out Fort Mims fell into ruin after the War of 1812. Bay boats was the only way across...and typically from Mobile to Hollywood (Daphne) or Battles Ward (Point Clear). Those of us that grew up with the causeways flooding in the 60s and 70s know the alternative older car route was very long upcountry.
My ancestor William W Duvall along with quite a few other members of the 39th NC of Ectors bde were captured on the left of that line at Bayou Minesse(where the narrow causeway was), the end of the 39th NC.
7:42 Gibson’s poetry “for with the position we left behind filling soldiers graves…with those who sleep” means that these men were some of the last men to die in vain fighting for a forlorn cause because the confederate command structure refused to surrender like Lee was doing in Appomattox. Of course, Gibson had the time to wax poetic about the dead. He survived the war and lived for another 27 years dying in 1892
I live in the neighborhood of Spanish Fort Estates. I have earthen redoubts in my backyard and have found both Union and Confederate musket ammo in the trees close by. I live on the Union side of the battlefield and not far from Fort McDermott.
I dont know if it is still there, maybe removed in the statue destroying frenzy a few years ago but there is/was a statue of Admiral Raphael Semmes CSN commander of the CSS Alabama very close to the entrance of Bankhead tunnel in Mobile. Did I miss hearing the mention of the "modern" battleship USS Alabama BB60 located along side the causeway?
Some of the USCT were captured? I thought USCT were mostly murderously executed by confederate captors ? The history of Spanish Fort is very intriguing!
My ancestor was injured in this battle at age 20 fighting for the union. It is odd to hear that it is now a confederate memorial park, and to hear these historians telling the story primarily from the confederate perspective.
I don't recall records of any of that occuring in the battles around Mobile on March/April of 1865. Gen Canby reported pretty light US casualties by comparison to other Union offensives earlier in the war.
Driving on all the causeways down there, you can gain an appreciation of how hard it would be to get around in the 19th Century.
Great work as always!
Ferries were a must
The causeways across the top of the bay between Mobile and Spanish Fort were built in the 1920s. The tunnel not till the 40s. Before that the only surface road trip between the two shores is a 65 mile trip up to Frisco and Jackson Alabama, over the river and down the other side. The Mims Ferry from Fort Stoddert to Old burned out Fort Mims fell into ruin after the War of 1812.
Bay boats was the only way across...and typically from Mobile to Hollywood (Daphne) or Battles Ward (Point Clear).
Those of us that grew up with the causeways flooding in the 60s and 70s know the alternative older car route was very long upcountry.
My ancestor William W Duvall along with quite a few other members of the 39th NC of Ectors bde were captured on the left of that line at Bayou Minesse(where the narrow causeway was), the end of the 39th NC.
Spanish Fort ft McDermott sounds like a very fascinating history adventure
My other great great grandfather was captured there with 36 Alabama holtzclaw brigade. Hope y’all enjoyed our city,
My 3x great grandfather and two of his brothers were in the 36th Alabama at spanish fort and i live in fairhope. Small world
Y'all just make me want to travel more.
Excellent work as always gents and I love seeing new history I didn't know in detail. Thanks a million
The excitement you guys have for civil war history is infectious!
I live in Mobile.
Gents - excellent work. Informative, engaging, and just like a virtual holiday for us Sydney-sider's sweltering through a 38c day!
7:42 Gibson’s poetry “for with the position we left behind filling soldiers graves…with those who sleep” means that these men were some of the last men to die in vain fighting for a forlorn cause because the confederate command structure refused to surrender like Lee was doing in Appomattox. Of course, Gibson had the time to wax poetic about the dead. He survived the war and lived for another 27 years dying in 1892
Good job as always !
I have been waiting for this!!!! YESSSS!
I live in the neighborhood of Spanish Fort Estates. I have earthen redoubts in my backyard and have found both Union and Confederate musket ammo in the trees close by. I live on the Union side of the battlefield and not far from Fort McDermott.
Red hill battery was where the lady slocomb gun was.
I dont know if it is still there, maybe removed in the statue destroying frenzy a few years ago but there is/was a statue of Admiral Raphael Semmes CSN commander of the CSS Alabama very close to the entrance of Bankhead tunnel in Mobile.
Did I miss hearing the mention of the "modern" battleship USS Alabama BB60 located along side the causeway?
It’s no longer there. Blakeley has it now.
Looking forward to using Garry"s hat to make a kind of tea.
We get a lot of strange comments on this channel, but yours might take the cake! :-) GA
@@AmericanBattlefieldTrust
HEY. It's me. Tim York.
Where did you get that tri fold map of the fort?
The causeway still floods in extreme conditions
Here, my uncle is great 👍
The city fell on April 12 1865? The very day the confederate Army of Northern VA surrendered to Grant and the union armies
Is that map on your website?
❌❤️🇪🇦
Some of the USCT were captured? I thought USCT were mostly murderously executed by confederate captors ? The history of Spanish Fort is very intriguing!
My ancestor was injured in this battle at age 20 fighting for the union. It is odd to hear that it is now a confederate memorial park, and to hear these historians telling the story primarily from the confederate perspective.
I don't recall records of any of that occuring in the battles around Mobile on March/April of 1865. Gen Canby reported pretty light US casualties by comparison to other Union offensives earlier in the war.
A few miles? More like 8 miles.
Canby was he not earlier in the war commanding union new Mexican forces in New Mexico Terr the land of enchantment