Fort Anderson

March 13-15, 1863
Also known as: Deep Gully
Craven County, NC
Campaign: Longstreet's Tidewater Operations

Lt. Col. Hiram Anderson, USA
Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill , CSA

Hill's Division squared off against the 1st Division of XVIII Corps.

There were only a handful of casualties, since there was hardly any fighting.

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet took charge of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina on February 25 and initiated his Tidewater Operations. He directed D.H. Hill, commander of the North Carolina District, to advance on the Union stronghold of New Berne with about 12,000 men. Maj. Gen. William H.T. Whiting, who commanded the Wilmington garrison, refused to cooperate with another brigade and a few guns. After an initial success at Deep Gully on March 13, Hill marched against the well-entrenched Federals at Fort Anderson on March 14-15. Hill was forced to retire upon the arrival of Union gunboats. The city's garrison was heavily reinforced, and Hill withdrew to threaten Washington, North Carolina.