Kure Beach in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
A Desolate Spit Of Land
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 24, 2025
1. A Desolate Spit Of Land Marker
Garrison life at Fort Fisher was mundane. "Work, work - all the time and no rest except Sabbaths," complained one soldier stationed at the fort. Contending with mosquitoes in the summer and the howling winds across the point in the winter, the men stationed at Fort Fisher considered Confederate Point, "a desolate spit of land." The only true enemy during the first few years of the war was disease and boredom. To counter the boredom, daily drilling of the men was a must. The days started "with infantry drill from 5 a.m. to 7 hen artillery drill from 9 to 1 with intermission of one hour then artillery drill again from 3 to 4 1/2 [4:30] with dress parade at 6pm."
Off-Duty diversions, though few, were welcomed by the men and included fishing, attending church services, socializing at the wedding of a fellow soldier, dancing at an officer's house during Christmas 1862, and the 1863 picnic to welcome Mrs. William Lamb. There was sorrow as well, when fellow soldiers died unexpectedly.
Dedicated in honor of Brian Nunnally, Jr.
Erected 2015.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 33° 58.3′ N, 77° 55.1′ W. Marker
this page online
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: 1st Battle Of Fort Fisher - December, 1864: A "Fiasco" (a few steps from this marker); The Whole Garrison Has Gone To Gardening (within shouting distance of this marker); I Knew That Desperate Work Was In Store (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Our Occupation Of The Fort, Was Not Equivalent To Its Possession. (about 300 feet away); Fort Fisher & the Civil War (about 300 feet away); After Taking Fort Fisher, I Think Our Troops Could Storm Hell Itself. (about 300 feet away); 32 Pounder Naval Cannon (about 300 feet away); "[We] rushed forward like tempest, through the stockade and up the parapet" (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kure Beach.
Other markers no longer nearby. History Trail (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); Growth of Fort Fisher, 1861-1862 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Blockade-Running (was within shouting distance
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 24, 2025
2. A Desolate Spit Of Land Marker
Two markers are visible at distant left. The subject marker is the nearer of the two. The short post fence at right is a garden. The sharpened palisade fence in the background is a reproduction of Fort Fisher's original defensive fence.
More about this marker. The marker contains three insets (two letters and one newspaper clipping) with three quotes overlaid on a montage of soldier handwriting and a drawing by Frank Vizetelly, held by Houghton Library, Harvard University, of Fort Fisher, commanding the New Inlet entrance to Cape Fear River. British Steamer Hansa running the blockade under the guns of the fort. 1863.
The left letter is captioned Fishing was a part of daily life at the fort as noted in letters and orders such as this from Col. William Lamb, dated September 5, 1864, regarding use of the garrison seine for fishing. Fort Fisher Sate Historic Site.
The newspaper clipping at center is captioned as Wedding notice of Narcissa Craig and Alexander Thous, 40th N.C., Co. B. Fayetteville Observer, February 12, 1863.
The second letter, at the lower right of the marker, is captioned Pets were common among the men as noted in this letter from Lt. Macon Bonner to his wife on April 15, 1863.
The three quotes are as follows:
The weather is so bad and had been for several days that it was impossible to haul the siene. Lt. Macon Bonner, October 27, 1863
It is awful dull here, Whilst [a card game] and the Wilmington Journal is my only pleasure except those dear occasional letters of yours. Lt. Macon Bonner, March 17, 1863
Seb's cat had kittens about a week ago. She has been a great pet, as well as privileged characters.[sic]She has been in the habit of sleeping on his bed... Lt. Macon Bonner, April 15, 1863
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 15, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on July 17, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 15, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
