Editing George Dewey (section)

===Battles of Fort Fisher===
By late 1864, [[Wilmington, North Carolina]], was the only port left to the Confederacy. Its access to the sea was protected by [[Fort Fisher]], at the mouth of the [[Cape Fear River]].

A joint Army-Navy attack in December failed (the [[First Battle of Fort Fisher]], December 7–27, 1864).<ref name="archive.org" />

A second attack came in January (the [[Second Battle of Fort Fisher]], January 13–15, 1865). ''Colorado'' was engaged, and Dewey played a key role in her success.

''Colorado'', being a wooden ship, was placed in the line outside the monitors and other armored vessels but got a full share of conflict. Toward the end of the second engagement, when matters were moving the right way, Admiral Porter signaled Thatcher to close in and silence a certain part of the works. As ''Colorado'' had already received considerable damage, her officers remonstrated. But Dewey, who had now acquired marked tactical ability, was quick to see the advantage to be gained by the move and the work was taken in fifteen minutes. ''[[The New York Times]]'', commenting upon this part of the action, spoke of it as "the most beautiful duel of the war". When Admiral Porter came to congratulate Commodore Thatcher, the latter said generously: "You must thank Lieutenant Dewey, sir. It was his move." Nevertheless, Thatcher was promoted to [[Rear Admiral (United States)|rear admiral]]. He tried to take Dewey with him as his fleet captain when he went to supersede Farragut at [[Mobile Bay]]. This was not permitted, but Dewey was promoted to [[Lieutenant commander (United States)|lieutenant commander]].<ref name="archive.org" />