On their march to Blakeley, the 77th Illinois was misdirected down a wrong road. They were forced to turn around and retrace their steps. They arrived at Fort Blakely about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, too late to take part in the assault. They were held in reserve, along with the entire 3rd Division.
At five o'clock the Union batteries began their work. Then the infantry poured in destructive volleys of musketry. Soon after a loud cheer came from the center, another from the left and then another from the right, indicating the points where the works had been successfully stormed. The conflict was short and the victory complete.
The Union casualties were not heavy - 113 deaths and 516 wounded. Many of the casualties were caused by mines that had been planted around the works and for one or two miles along the road leading to the fort.
The Battle of Fort Blakely was the final major infantry battle of the Civil War. The entire Mobile campaign resulted in the capture of the enemy works at Spanish Fort and Blakely, the surrender of Mobile, the capture of more than 5,000 prisoners, nearly 300 pieces of artillery, several thousand pieces of small arms, and large stores of ammunition. However, these would soon prove to be unimportant as the war was almost over.
Earlier today General Lee surrendered at Appomattox. The Union troops in Mobile would not learn about it for several days.
