Richard Binder

He Kept His Gun Firing Through Fort Fisher's Fire

Richard Binder was born on July 26, 1839, in the Kingdom of Württemberg, a German state that later became part of modern Germany. His life would carry him across the Atlantic to the United States, where he would serve in the Marine Corps during the American Civil War, distinguish himself in one of the conflict's most important naval operations, and eventually receive the Medal of Honor.

As a young man, Binder emigrated to America in 1854. He initially settled in New York before moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he found employment as a barber. By 1860, he had become an American citizen, establishing his future in the country that would soon be divided by civil war.

When the conflict erupted in April 1861, Binder entered military service. On July 11, 1861, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Philadelphia.

His decision placed him in a military organization whose responsibilities extended far beyond conventional land combat. During the Civil War, Marines served aboard Navy warships, provided security, operated heavy weapons, and participated in amphibious operations against Confederate coastal defenses.

Binder's naval service took him through several assignments and engagements. He served aboard different Union vessels during the war, gaining experience in the demanding conditions of naval warfare. Eventually, he rose to the rank of sergeant.

By 1864, Binder was serving aboard USS Ticonderoga, a steam-powered Union warship assigned to operations along the Confederate coastline.

His greatest test came during the attacks on Fort Fisher, North Carolina.

Fort Fisher protected the approaches to Wilmington, one of the Confederacy's most important remaining ports. Even as other Southern harbors fell under Union control, Wilmington continued receiving valuable military supplies through blockade-running vessels.

The fort's powerful coastal batteries guarded the entrance to the Cape Fear River. Capturing the position would severely weaken the Confederate supply network and help close one of the last major channels connecting the Confederacy with overseas trade.

Union commanders understood its importance, but Fort Fisher was heavily defended.

On December 24 and 25, 1864, a large Union naval force attacked the fort. Warships opened an intense bombardment against Confederate artillery positions, attempting to weaken the defenses before an assault from land.

Sergeant Richard Binder was among the Marines serving aboard USS Ticonderoga.

He held the important position of captain of a gun, responsible for directing a naval gun crew during battle. This required discipline, technical knowledge, and the ability to maintain coordinated fire while the ship was exposed to enemy artillery.

As Confederate batteries returned fire, Binder continued performing his duties.

The fighting was extremely dangerous. During the bombardment, a 100-pounder Parrott rifle exploded, killing eight men and wounding twelve others. Such an accident demonstrated that the crews faced danger not only from Confederate shells but also from the enormous forces generated by their own heavy weapons.

Despite the enemy's bombardment and the hazards of naval gunfire, Binder maintained his station and carried out his duties with skill and courage.

The first attempt to capture Fort Fisher failed.

Union commanders, however, were not prepared to abandon the objective.

In January 1865, the fleet returned for a second assault. This time, the operation combined another powerful naval bombardment with coordinated attacks by Union soldiers, sailors, and Marines.

On January 13, USS Ticonderoga again moved into position against the Confederate defenses.

Binder was once more at his gun.

As the warship opened fire, he remained steadfast and helped maintain an effective bombardment of Confederate batteries along the shore. The ship's accurate gunfire contributed to reducing the effectiveness of artillery positions that threatened the approaching Union assault forces.

Throughout the engagement, Binder continued directing his gun crew under hostile fire.

The naval bombardment was critical to the wider operation. Union warships targeted the fort's artillery, damaged its defenses, and helped create conditions for the troops preparing to attack.

On January 15, 1865, Union forces launched their decisive assault.

The fighting was fierce. While a naval landing force faced determined Confederate resistance, Union Army troops attacked the fort's landward defenses. After prolonged combat, Federal soldiers broke through and captured the stronghold.

Fort Fisher had fallen.

Its capture was a major strategic victory. With the fort lost, Wilmington could no longer function as the secure Confederate port it had been throughout much of the war. The victory helped tighten the Union blockade and further weakened the Confederacy during the conflict's final months.

For Richard Binder, the two attacks became the defining events of his military career.

His conduct aboard USS Ticonderoga attracted official recognition. He had served as a Marine sergeant and gun captain during both operations, maintaining his effectiveness despite heavy enemy fire and the deadly dangers of the bombardment.

For his courage and skill during the attacks of December 24–25, 1864, and January 13–15, 1865, Richard Binder was awarded the Medal of Honor.

The decoration recognized his steadfast performance while directing naval gunfire against one of the Confederacy's strongest coastal defenses.

Binder remained in the Marine Corps until July 19, 1865, when he was honorably discharged, shortly after the Civil War ended.

His years of military service had carried him from the early naval operations of the conflict to the final campaign against Fort Fisher. He now returned to the civilian profession he had known before the war.

In Philadelphia, Binder resumed his career as a barber and gradually developed a successful business. Over the following decades, he established several hairdressing establishments throughout the city, eventually operating four shops.

He expanded beyond ordinary barbering services, developing and selling hair preparations, wigs, and toupees. His business success made him a recognizable figure within Philadelphia's hairdressing industry.

Binder also built a family life. He married Frederika, a fellow German immigrant, and they had two children, Laura and Richard Jr.

Away from his professional responsibilities, Binder developed an unusual interest in collecting walking sticks and canes. His collection reportedly grew to approximately six hundred pieces, including one associated with President Abraham Lincoln.

The contrast between his wartime and civilian careers was remarkable. The Marine who had directed heavy naval gunfire against Confederate fortifications became an established businessman in the city where he had enlisted decades earlier.

Yet his military achievement remained an important part of his legacy.

Richard Binder died on February 26, 1912, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of seventy-two. He was buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

His story represents an important chapter in the history of the United States Marine Corps. Although Marines are often remembered for their infantry and amphibious roles, Binder's service demonstrated their contribution to naval artillery operations during the Civil War.

At Fort Fisher, he faced the destructive power of coastal artillery, the dangers of heavy naval weapons, and the demands of maintaining accurate fire while the outcome of a major military operation remained uncertain.

He remained at his station.

Through two assaults on one of the Confederacy's strongest coastal fortifications, Sergeant Richard Binder continued directing his gun crew with skill and courage.

For that distinguished service aboard USS Ticonderoga, he received the Medal of Honor, securing his place among the honored Marines of the American Civil War.