What Role Did New Bedford Play In The Civil War

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New Bedford played a significant role in the Civil War. Famously, New Bedford was home to the Fifty-Fourth regiment, which not only helped defeat the Confederate States, but also helped to shape national discussions regarding blacks and equal pay in the military. The initial troops boarded the S.R. Spaulding bound for Fort Monroe, VA, and destroyed the navy yard in Norfolk to hinder the Confederates. New Bedford would eventually send 3,200 men to the war, and about 217 sacrificed their lives for our great nation. However, it is my humble opinion that the most significant role New Bedford played in the Civil War was completing Fort Taber and protecting the 300 whaling ships and 22,300 people of our City from the “traitors from the South” from entering our bay. Robert E. Lee designed the Fort in 1842 and the federal government bought the 60 acres for $78,000. …show more content…

Privateers were already decimating our fleet in the open waters and the harbor was a sitting duck. Consequently, New Bedford stopped waiting for the federal government to complete construction at the fort, and about 1 month after the war had begun, New Bedford completed construction. Fort Taber protected Clarks Cove and the Acushnet River access to the Harbor, and Fort Phoenix protected the east side of the bay. Both were manned by Coast Guard personnel. The forts were an effective deterrent to keep enemy fire away from the bay, and a not a single shot was fired, unless you count the gun salutes during the patriotic rallies

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