The National tribune., 1889-03-14
TIE FOREC4STLE
What Our Naval Heroes Have to Say
About Their Cruises.

FORT FISHER, N. c.

tering the first boat, gave orders to shove on,
follow him and land as soon IS possible The
writer was somewhat delayed in getting on
shore, having stopped to pick up part OF the
crew of another boat that had been capsized in
the surf Although our boat was now over
loaded we landed safely. The writer had not
taken 10 steps from the water before he was
ordered to take command Of company of men,
then drawn up in line, with picks and shovels,
and ordered to advance TO the front and throw
up parallels Tor the storming columns to ad
vance on. Being anxious to have some of the
HurOn's crew with me, I managed TO get 10 of
them away with me IN addition 10 the COM
pauy called of, who were all strangers to me.
There were several of these companies, the
whole being under the command of Lieut.. Pres
ton, brave young Regular. After advancing in
column past an outwOr6 taken from the enemy,
we deployed in skirmish order and advanced
until two or three men were wounded by
bursting shell fired from q howitzer in the
fort The order was then given to throw
Cp the sand, 10 cover ourselves from the
enemy. Up TO this time / had very serious
doubts Of accomplishing much with sailors,
but they went TO work like beavers and in
little time each man was well covered, and in
8 short time there was a ditch 200 yards long.
was now well satisfied that sailors could pile
dirt. While resting another messenger from
the fort burst Immediately over our heads,
and piece Of the same ped young fellow
by NY side as clean IS if done by Comanche
Indian. Another sailor few feet away was
struck on the left leg near the knee. Both
made for the rear, refusing assistance.
Another company coming up we again adj
Tanced in the same order as before for about
200 yards, the right and left striking some
small sand hills. We again went to work, but
finding the center much harder than the place
we had left we advanced about IS yards far
ther. We were now about 500 yards from the
Il - 1.
boys were getting their hands in; beside that,
there We're many small leaden messages from
the fort, and each one said hurry and we did
hurry, and soon struck some small hillocks
between Us and the beach, where we found
another company converting them into one.
Here We received orders TO remain and deepen
and enlarge orr works as much as possible; but
being quite numerous and seeing several small
mounds 10 our right about 80 yards in adj
vance, ] called for volunteers and made break.
When we got there, found / had Is men-all
Huron boys. Here we found several sharp
shooters Il can't recall their regiment). After
swapping the latest we had from old Neptune
for the latest they had from around Petersburg,
we went 70 work TO dig our way back TO the
beach and salt water. Being now so close up,
II was dangerous TO expose even your hand.
Although our numbers were small, we made
rapid progress.
This is the way the boys managed it: One
on his knees would work forward in a little,
marrow gutter, Others following as close as pos
sible throwing dirt to cover him; each one in
succession doing the same. After changing the
man in the 'front.' it came to the turn Of large,
heavy lrishman. One Of the smaller men said:
Jem. I viii take your turn"
Jem answered:
Not by a mug full. If sailors have got to
learn TO shovel dirt, the sooner get broke in
the better" and be took his place.
At this time number of soldiers came to us
from the right and rear, which attracted the
attention OF the Johnnies, or Jem would have
been Tlddled. Two Of these men were shot in
getting to Us. Shortly after quite a body of
men came 10 Us with a rush, under command
tif ] remember Alright Of Col. Curtis. There
were several other officers looking for places TO
get their men Up as close as possible for the
grand charge.
The Colonel in command told me there was
not room enough for us all, though il was hard
TO turn man out Of his own house. as IL were
but be had large number Of men he want
cd 10 get into that position. / had my men
gather up their arms. picks and shovels, and
pointed out a small ridge between us and the
beach for them to make for. The Colonel again
spoke up saying: " Don't start until our fell
lows get to work" which they we're not long in
doing, for l thought a whole regiment had
opened fire. At the word 60 we went on the
grsndest hundred-yard race the writer ever
took part IN, big Jem covering NE with his body
the whole distance, although he could have
made three yards TO my one. don't remem-
Der touching the ground more than twice-if
did lost count. We all got into port safe, and
were soon at work again. Shortly after an Aid.
having advanced along the outer beach, de-
4iyered orders to continue digging, that the
Etorming party might have place to fall back
on II they we're repulsed. Sometime after
Lieut.. Preston IN person came and gave orders
70 fail IN IN the rear Of the stOrming column as
they adTanced up the beach, but TO take picks
and shOyels with Us. Hearing our boys cheer
ing, we took arms, picks and shovels and left
the ditch and struck for the head of the col
umn, and ran parallel with them Seeing that
our people were In bad fix for fighting, / or
dered the boys TO throw away their picks and
shovels and draw cutlasses. The column now
swung to the right and made for large breach
Ia the palisades. The enemy were swarming
70 the top Of the fort, and opened heavy fire
on Us. But few got through the gap in the nall
sades. Although twas poor time to Judge dis
tanee, the writer thinks he was about 10 yards
INSIDE, some few being IN advance, and in my
hurry 10 get out Of the way of those behind, l
hooked one foot In a t0rpedo-wire and attempt
&c 10 turn somersault, but before getting all
the way round two other fellows piled on
top driving me head and shoulders into the
lace OF the fort When / got my eyes open
al hands were lying down outside the fence.
and got there as soon as possible. Close up
&c the gap we saw Fleet Capt Breese, Com
mander Selfridge, Lieut.. Preston and three
other officers, all Regulars. We Rugged the
ground for some time, when Capt Breese
got np and called out to follow him. Quite a
number called for him to lie down, which
he did; but something had to be done. He
again got On his feet and waved his sword.
Immediately all that were 10 the front and
right were on their feet, the different officers
calling on their men TO follow. As soon as we
showed well IN the gap the enemy poured in a
E0lley that stopped many brave mans farther
advance, and down We all went again Lieut.
Preston must have been killed here, as never
saw him afterward. At this time someone tc
the rear and 70 the left gave the order to re-
treat. Knowing this order was not given by
the COmmander-in-Chief (Breese) the writer
with a number Of others, tried hard to stoI
them. but could do 10 good. Having lost my
whole command, we set to work to find then
among the dead and dying, and in doing 81
helped many within the shelter of the pail
sades.
While thus engaged we heard someone say
Shoot that - -" Looking up, ] saw ",
were badly exposed, and made Cor a large hole
which must have been made by shell from on
OF the monitors. Here was safe. 4 few minute
after Commander Selfridge was making for tn
rear, when called him to me. he said, g
have just parted from Capt. Breese; I will q
back for him." / told him I would go. AM
just as / was about to start Capt. Breese cam