Battle of Fort Blakely
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| Mobile Campaign |
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| Spanish Fort – Fort Blakely |
The Battle of Fort Blakely took place from April 2-April 9, 1865 in Baldwin County, Alabama, as part of the [[Template:Campaignbox Mobile Campaign|Mobile Campaign]] of the American Civil War.
Maj. Gen. Edward Canby's forces, the XVI and XIII Corps, 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. By April 1, Union forces had enveloped Spanish Fort, thereby releasing more troops to focus on Fort Blakely. Brig. Gen. John R. Liddell, with about 4,000 men, held out against the much larger Union force until Spanish Fort fell on April 8, allowing Canby to concentrate 16,000 men for the attack on April9. Sheer numbers breached the Confederate earthworks, compelling the Confederates to capitulate. The siege and capture of Fort Blakely was basically the last combined-force battle of the war. Yet, it is criticized by some (such as Ulysses S. Grant) as an ineffective contribution to Union war effort due to Canby's lateness in engaging his troops. African-American forces played a major role in the successful Union assault.
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