Joseph White

Under Fire, an Ironclad Silenced Fort Fisher's Guns

Joseph White was a United States Navy sailor and Medal of Honor recipient who distinguished himself during the American Civil War while serving aboard USS New Ironsides in the Union naval attacks against Fort Fisher, North Carolina, in December 1864 and January 1865.

Born in approximately 1840 in Washington, D.C., White served in the Union Navy during the Civil War. His military service was accredited to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By the time of the Fort Fisher operations, he held the rank of Coxswain aboard USS New Ironsides, an armored warship assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

USS New Ironsides participated in the naval campaign against Fort Fisher, which guarded the approaches to Wilmington, North Carolina. On December 24, 1864, the Union fleet, commanded by Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter, began its attack on the Confederate fortifications. New Ironsides led the ironclad division close to shore and opened fire with its starboard battery. According to the Medal of Honor citation associated with White's service, the ship's bombardment caused fires and explosions within the Confederate defenses and disabled several artillery pieces.

The fighting continued on December 25, but the first Union attempt to capture Fort Fisher was unsuccessful. The naval force subsequently prepared for another attack.

On January 13, 1865, New Ironsides returned to the fort as Union forces renewed their offensive. The ironclad came under Confederate fire while moving into position and continued its bombardment throughout the day. Despite severe weather, the crew replenished ammunition during the night to maintain the ship's ability to support the continuing operation.

White remained among the sailors serving aboard New Ironsides during the engagements of January 13, 14, and 15. As Union troops prepared to assault the Confederate defenses, the ship's heavy guns continued firing against the fortifications. The official citation records that the vessel's battery disabled nearly every Confederate gun facing the shore before the fleet received orders to cease firing.

On January 15, 1865, Union forces captured Fort Fisher following combined naval and land operations. The victory closed a major Confederate defensive position protecting Wilmington and significantly restricted the Confederacy's remaining access to overseas supplies.

White's conduct during the bombardments was formally recognized with the Medal of Honor. His award was recorded under General Orders No. 59, dated June 22, 1865. The United States Navy's official Medal of Honor register identifies him as a Coxswain aboard USS New Ironsides and commends his highly meritorious conduct during the engagements with Fort Fisher in December 1864 and January 1865.

His documented wartime naval service also falls within the qualifying period later recognized by the Navy Civil War Campaign Medal, established in 1908. This medal provided retrospective recognition for qualifying naval service during the conflict, although an individual issue record for White has not been established.

Details of White's subsequent naval career and civilian life remain limited in the available authoritative records. His exact date and place of death, as well as his burial location, have not been reliably established.

Joseph White's documented military distinction remains his Medal of Honor recognition for service aboard USS New Ironsides during the two Union attacks on Fort Fisher. His name is preserved in the United States Navy's official records among the sailors recognized for their conduct during the final months of the American Civil War.