Kure Beach in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Seek Protection Under The Banner Of The Free

William B. Gould

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 24, 2025

1. Seek Protection Under The Banner Of The Free Marker

Inscription.

Seek Protection Under The Banner Of The Free. William B. Gould. , The Cape Fear River served as the lifeline for blockade runners brining in supplies for the Confederacy. It also served as the pathway to freedom for enslaved African Americans, who wanted to leave Wilmington., Freedom seekers, also known as "contrabands," flocked to the Union fleet. However, they were often unwelcomed. On May 21, 1862, the USS Chippewa picked up a boat filled with freedom seekers, including 8 men, 4 women, and 6 children. Although the commanding officer was instructed to reject women and children, as well as men who were old and disabled, he considered it inhuman and took them to a station that would take care of them., When an outbreak of yellow fever was declared on September 13, 1862, enslaved men and women used it to their advantage to flee Wilmington. From September 17th to the 25th, 30 enslaved African Americans, including William B. Gould, a plasterer who worked on the Bellamy Mansion, where picked up by the US Navy ships Monticello, Cambridge, Penobscot, and Victoria., Contrabands, including Charles Wesley, Colonel Lamb's enslaved body servant, continued to be picked up by the Union fleet well into 1864. Unlike most information provided by "contrabands", Wesley provided fairly accurate observations regarding the affairs of Fort Fisher and the Cape Fear defenses., African Americans made up 25% of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron due to the open policy of enlisting "contrabands" as sailors. Most of these men saw action with the fleet during the battles of Fort Fisher., The large number of persons known as contrabands flocking to the protection of the United States flag affords an opportunity to provide in every department of a ship, especially for boats' crews, acclimated labor. The commanding officers under my command are required to obtain the services of these persons for the country by enlisting them freely in the Navy, with their consent. Adm. L.M. Goldsborough, May 6, 1862, Dedicated in honor of Jonah Nunnally, , Adm. L.M. Goldsborough, Flag Officer, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron (1862-1863)Cambridge listing the names of "contrabands." National Archives

The Cape Fear River served as the lifeline for blockade runners brining in supplies for the Confederacy. It also served as the pathway to freedom for enslaved African Americans, who wanted to leave Wilmington.

Freedom seekers, also known as "contrabands," flocked to the Union fleet. However, they were often unwelcomed. On May 21, 1862, the USS Chippewa picked up a boat filled with freedom seekers, including 8 men, 4 women, and 6 children. Although the commanding officer was instructed to reject women and children, as well as men who were old and disabled, he considered it inhuman and took them to a station that would take care of them.

When an outbreak of yellow fever was declared on September 13, 1862, enslaved men and women used it to their advantage to flee Wilmington. From September 17th to the 25th, 30 enslaved African Americans, including William B. Gould, a plasterer who worked on the Bellamy Mansion, where picked up by the US Navy ships Monticello, Cambridge, Penobscot, and Victoria.

Contrabands, including Charles Wesley, Colonel Lamb's enslaved body servant, continued to be picked up by the Union fleet well into 1864. Unlike most information provided by "contrabands", Wesley provided fairly accurate observations regarding the affairs of Fort Fisher and the Cape Fear

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

defenses.

African Americans made up 25% of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron due to the open policy of enlisting "contrabands" as sailors. Most of these men saw action with the fleet during the battles of Fort Fisher.

The large number of persons known as contrabands flocking to the protection of the United States flag affords an opportunity to provide in every department of a ship, especially for boats' crews, acclimated labor. The commanding officers under my command are required to obtain the services of these persons for the country by enlisting them freely in the Navy, with their consent. Adm. L.M. Goldsborough, May 6, 1862

Dedicated in honor of Jonah Nunnally

Adm. L.M. Goldsborough, Flag Officer, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron (1862-1863) William B. Gould (center) and his sons

Ship's log of the USS Cambridge listing the names of "contrabands." National Archives

Erected 2015.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is May 21, 1862.

Location. 33° 58.388′ N, 77° 55.18′ W. Marker is in Kure Beach, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It can be

View from Seek Protection Under The Banner Of The Free Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 24, 2025

2. View from Seek Protection Under The Banner Of The Free Marker

The marker is back right, behind the photographer, at the head of the bridge to the Sallyport.

reached from Fort Fisher Boulevard South (U.S. 421) 0.2 miles north of Battle Acre Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is on the walking trail around the Land Face of Fort Fisher State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1610 Fort Fisher Boulevard South, Kure Beach NC 28449, 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,

and in the Tidewater.

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: It Was All Too Much For Even Demons (a few steps from this marker); The One Weak Point In The 'Malakoff' Was The Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Shepherd's Battery #1 (about 300 feet away); "[We] rushed forward like tempest, through the stockade and up the parapet" (about 300 feet away); Not Fortifications, But Fiftyfications At Least (about 300 feet away); War Never Witnessed More Determined Bravery. (about 400 feet away); I Knew That Desperate Work Was In Store (about 400 feet away); The Whole Garrison Has Gone To Gardening (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kure Beach.

Other markers no longer nearby. River Road Sally Port (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Shepherd’s Battery (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Restoration of Shepherd’s Battery (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); a different

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 24, 2025

3. Seek Protection Under The Banner Of The Free Marker

View from the bridge looking north, with the marker a distant center. Just beyond and to the left in the trees is the trace of the old River Road that led to this bridge during the Civil War period.

marker also named Shepherd’s Battery (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Shepherd’s Bombproof (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Lamb Expands the Fort, 1862-1865 (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Additional commentary.
1. 2015 Series of Markers
The following markers were placed at Fort Fisher State Historic Site on the site walking trail as part of the 150th Anniversary of the battles in 2015:

278788
278793
278799
278843
278848
278856
278903
278907
278909
278913
278919
278923
278926
278936

A marker in the same style (278761) was placed at the Fort Fisher monument at Battle Acre in 2017. Three other markers outside of the site history trail (278940, 278774, and 278764) are all the same styling and may also be part of the 2015 re-signing effort.

— Submitted July 17, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 17, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.