The National tribune., 1888-03-08

Curtis took part in the first battle of Bull
Run, and afterward was in the Army of the
Potomac until after the battle Of Antietam.
During the Peninsular campaign he was severe
ly wounded and was then promoted to the
Lieutenant-C olonelCy of the 142d n. 7. He
was soon raised to the Colonelcy of that regi-
ment, which was assigned to duty in the De-
partment of the South. In the first expedition to
capture Fort Fisher he was in the advance
and did such splendid fighting that Gen.
Grants attention was called to him. When
Gen. Butler decided to abandon the expedition,
Col Curtis's command was under the very
works of the fort, and he captured its flag,
which had been shot away by the csnnonade
of the fleet Two of his men entered the sally
port of the fort and brought away horse that
was inside He was confident that be could
capture the stronghold if he were allowed to
push on in, and repeatedly represented this to
the General commanding, begging permission
to make the attempt. He did not retire until
after he had received the fourth order to fall
back, and was among the last to leave the shore
for the fleet. His conduct coming to the atten-
ton of Gen. Grant, he was called to the head
quarters of the Commander Chief of tho
army and questioned as to the events of the
expedition and as to what had best be done to
reduce the stronghold.
He was brevetted Brigadier- General and put
in command of the First Brigade, Second Dr.
upon the fort when Gen. Terry returned with
additional forces. He handled his command
in the subsequent operations with the highest
skill and courage. Immediately after landing
his brigade moved down on the land side and
pressed up against the rebel outposts, capturing
number of prisoners from the parties who
made sorties against him. From these Gen.
Curtis learned of the condition of the forts de-
lenses and the strength Of it's garrison, and
Immediately made preparations to force his
way in. He communicated his plans to the
Chief Engineer and the commanding officer,
and they were adopted. The assault was made
about o'clock from point very near the fort,
to which the brigade had attained, moving
forward cautiously, most Of the time the men
crawling on their hands and knees. At last
the rebel infantry manning the parapet, Gen.
Curtis instructed his men to dash forward and
rise erect as they got into line, which they did.
Az most of the time they were under the plane
Of the FIRE of the fort, their loss was compara-
lively small. The defenders Of the near bas-
ton were overwhelmed in the rush, and the
army planted itaelf securely within its lines.
Then began protFacted fight, the rebels being
forced back slowly from one traverse to another
until by 10 o'clock at night 50 much advantage
had been gained that it was useless to continue
the contest any longer, and the fort surrendered.
During the fight Gen. Curtis had been shot
four times, once in the face, twice in the arm,
and had rib broken. In spite of all these he
| kept his feet and animated his men to press on,
Just as the battle was. finishing, rebel shell
| exploded near him, fragment struck him in
| the eye and he was stretched unconscious; but
| the fort was taken. He did not regain his
senses for several hours after, was reported
dead and his obituary written by war CORE
| spondent Secretary Of War Stanton was en-
route North from the Department of the South
saw the flags of the feet flying at half-mast
and learned of the capture of the fort and Of
| the presumed death OF Gen. Curtis. Before be
left however he found out that the Genera
was not dead, and commissioned him Briga
| dier-General
When Gen. Curtis was recovered sufficiently
| to travel he reported to Gen. Weitzei at Rich
moud for duty, and was made Chief Of Staff o.
| the Army of the James He served under Gems
Ord and Terry until July, 1855, when he wal
assigned to the command of South western