Editing Second Battle of Fort Fisher (section)

==Opposing forces==
[[File:Fort Fisher vessels.jpg|thumb|right|Diagram showing the positions of the Union vessels, and the lines of fire|410x410px]]
===Union===
{{further|Second Fort Fisher Union order of battle}}

The [[Union Army]]<ref>''Further information:'' [http://www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/order-battle-federal.htm Organization of Union Forces]</ref> returned in January, this time under Major General [[Alfred Terry]]. Terry was chosen by Lieutenant General [[Ulysses S. Grant]] to lead a provisional corps of 9,000 troops from the [[Army of the James]]. Rear Admiral [[David Dixon Porter|David D. Porter]] returned with almost 60 vessels of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron to the North Carolina coast after the failed December attempt.<ref name="Kennedy, p. 402" />

===Confederate===
{{further|Second Fort Fisher Confederate order of battle}}

Confederate Major General [[William H.C. Whiting|W.H.C. Whiting]] commanded the District of Cape Fear and pleaded with the department commander, General [[Braxton Bragg]] to send reinforcements.<ref>''Further information:'' [http://www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/order-battle-confed.htm Organization of Confederate Forces]</ref> Bragg was unwilling to reduce his forces, which he felt were necessary to defend [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]]. He finally sent reinforcements from Hagood's brigade to Colonel [[William Lamb (military)|William Lamb's]] garrison bringing the total at Fort Fisher to 1,900.<ref>Gragg, p. 131.</ref> A division of 6,400 troops under Major General [[Robert Hoke]] was stationed on the peninsula north of the fort. Whiting personally arrived at the fort and told the commander: "Lamb my boy, I have come to share your fate. You and your garrison are to be sacrificed."<ref>Gragg, p. 121.</ref>