Civil War Expert Visits Fort Holmes

On January 9th, leading Civil War historian Ed Bearss paid a visit to Bald Head Island to tour the remains of Fort Holmes. Fort Holmes was erected in 1863-1864 as part of a defense system for the lower Cape Fear. 

Mr. Bearrs was visiting the Cape Fear region to speak to the Brunswick County Civil War Roundtable, a group of Civil War enthuiasts, historians, researchers and educators. According to Chris Fonvielle, UNCW history professor and Civil War historian himself, the Brunswick County Civil War Roundtable is the largest of its kind in the United States. Mr. Bearss spoke on the importance of Fort Holmes and the Cape Fear region to the Civil War. He also gave a retelling of the Battle of Antietam, the first major battle in the Civil War. 

Mr. Bearss is a Uniuted States Marine Corps verteran of WW II and former Chief Historian for the National Parks Service. He is famous for his historic tours and retellings of famous military battles. At age 90, he contines to tour important battle sites and speak on military history across the US, Europe and the Pacific. 

To learn more about Fort Holmes and Bald Head Island's importance in the Civil War, visit the Smith Island Museum at the base of Old Baldy or take a Historic Tour with the Old Baldy Foundation. 

Published on Monday, January 20, 2014