Carolina Beach in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
I hope we can hold Wilmington
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 24, 2025
1. "I hope we can hold Wilmington" Marker
"I hope we can hold Wilmington." Lieutenant Zaccheus Ellis, 1st Battalion N.C. Heavy Artillery
Confederate soldiers stationed at Sugar Loaf invented a unique, if dangerous, game to endure the monotony of sand, salt, and boredom. During the U.S. Navy's daily shellings, the Southerners would recklessly expose themselves to exploding projectiles in order to claim the brass fuses, which they fashioned into rings and ornaments. "As soon as the missile burst," one player exclaimed, "you would see men running in every direction toward the place for the purpose of finding the broken parts." - Adjt. George Rose 66th N.C. Infantry.
Corporal Hosea Lewis Horne, whose Confederate artillery unit was posted on the summit of Sugar Loaf Hill, fought against his brother, Corporal Jacob Horne, a scout with Bvt. Maj. Gen. Alfred H. Terry's Provisional Corps, U.S. Army.
As the Union tempest gathered, citizens and soldiers alike lost faith in Bragg's leadership. "We have no confidence in Bragg whatsoever," stated Lieutenant Zaccheus Ellis, 1st Battalion N.C. Heavy Artillery. "I hope we can hold Wilmington, but must say that if we
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As if displaying indifference to the fate of Wilmington, now the Confederacy's most important city, General Bragg left Wilmington by rail on February 10, 1865, to go to Richmond to reorganize his military staff. Upon his departure Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hoke assumed field command of local Confederate forces. Hoke established his headquarters at Sugar Loaf, which was defended by 4,500 soldiers in three brigades and a smattering of North Carolina and Virginia light artillery batteries. Captain Andrew Paris's Staunton Hill Virginia Light Artillery deployed along this section of the Sugar Loaf lines. On February 11, 1865, Union forces launched their campaign to capture Wilmington.
(captions)
The only known wartime sketch of the position of Confederate troops at Sugar Loaf in February 1865.
U.S. Navy iron cannonball fragment and brass fuse.
Corporal Hosea Lewis Horne 2nd Co. I ("Wilmington Horse Artillery) 10th Regiment N.C. Troops (1st N.C. Artillery)
Confederate Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hoke
Erected 2021 by Town of Carolina Beach.
Topics. This historical
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 24, 2025
2. Sugar Loaf Line Earthworks
View facing east, up the interior of the line, from in front of the marker.
Location. 34° 2.75′ N, 77° 53.808′ W. Marker is in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It can be reached from North Lake Park Boulevard 0.2 miles north of Bennet Lane, on the right when traveling north. Located in Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Civil War Park north of the Publix Super Market Commons at Federal Point. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1018 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach NC 28428, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Tidewater, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: For a little while it was a lively and interesting fight (within shouting distance of this marker); Such parts of the Sugar Loaf line... (within shouting distance of this marker); We are strongly entrenched here... (within shouting distance of this marker); To close the port of Wilmington... (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Civil War Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battlefield of Sugar Loaf (about 400 feet away); Sugar Loaf Line (about 500 feet away); Civil War Fortifications (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carolina Beach.
More about this marker. The marker itself is/was dismounted from its stand.
Also see . . . Civil War Day by Day - Corporal Horne's Letter. Though the sentiment is accurate, the letter referenced that discusses lack of confidence in Bragg was written on 12 February, when Corporal Horne was at Fort Anderson - not still at Sugar Loaf. (Submitted on June 16, 2025.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 15, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
