Battle of Spanish Fort

Part of the American Civil War

Date	March 27 – April 8, 1865 (1865-04-08)
Location	Baldwin County, Alabama
Result	Union victory

Belligerents

United States (Union)

CSA (Confederacy)

Commanders and leaders

E.R.S. Canby

Randall L. Gibson

Units involved

Army of West Mississippi

Spanish Fort Garrison

Strength

30,000

2,500

Casualties and losses

657

744

Coordinates: 30°41′3.4″N 87°54′58.95″W / 30.684278°N 87.9163750°W / 30.684278; -87.9163750

The Battle of Spanish Fort took place from March 27 to April 8, 1865 in Baldwin County, Alabama, as part of the Mobile Campaign of the Western Theater of the American Civil War.

After the Union victory in the Battle of Mobile Bay, Mobile nevertheless remained in Confederate hands. Spanish Fort was heavily fortified as an eastern defense to the city of Mobile. Fort Huger, Fort (Battery) Tracey, Fort (Battery) McDermott, Fort Alexis, Red Fort, and Old Spanish Fort were all part of the Mobile defenses at Spanish Fort.

Union forces embarked on a land campaign in early 1865 to take Mobile from the east. Maj. Gen. E.R.S. Canby's XIII and XVI corps crossed the Fish River at Marlow Ferry, and moved along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay forcing the Confederates back into their defenses. Union forces then concentrated on Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, five miles to the north. On March 27, 1865, Canby’s forces rendezvoused at Danley's Ferry and immediately undertook a siege of Spanish Fort. The Union had enveloped the fort by April 1, and on April 8 captured it. Most of the Confederate forces, under the command of Brig. Gen. Randall L. Gibson, escaped and fled to Mobile, but Spanish Fort was no longer a threat.

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Wikipedia