The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1897-01-07

AFASGzS home. At last a
NISs historian worthy
the subject has
given the full story. It appears in avet-
erans' magazine published by the Maine
association. The author, Colonel Henry
G. Lockwood, was an aid to General
-Adelbert Ames at Fort Fisher. The I'll
tie of his story is IA Man From Maine. y
and the hero the author old command
er, one of Names most gallant soldiers
In an Introductory paragraph Colonel
Lockwood says:
"This strangely isolated battle had
many features scarcely known in mod
ernswarfare. Still this most brilliant
and dramatic event was oyershadowed
by the great closing battles Of the con.
test. Having served on the staff Of Cen
eral Ames, who commanded the divi-
sion of attack, I held position that en-
abled me to know what happened and
to form, as I think, correct Judgment
on many questions that have arisen
since the capture. believe that each
one who took part in the leading bat
ties, sieges and expeditions Of the war
should state the facts as they appear to
him, in order to aid those who wish to
learn the true history of those times. In
this spirit purpose to set down some
facts that relate to the movements Of
the army before Fort Fisher.
Before taking up the description Of
the battle Colonel Lockwood gives a
spirited sketch of the personality Of the
leader.
''The outbreak of the civil war;" he
says, found Ames cadet at West
Point. He was graduated with his class
and commission ed in regular battery.
At Bull Run he showed great gallant
try and was shot through the leg. He
was soon promoted to the colonelcy Of
the Twentieth Maine and served in the
Army of the Potomac. In the disastrous
battle of Fredericksburg he led his regi-
ment on the assault of Marye's Heights,
rendered impregnable by a stone wall,
trenches and batteries. He was soon
promoted brigadier general and contin-
ued to serve in the field The beau ideal
Of commander, there was no more eff
cient and gallant officer in the army.
s'.Every one who rode with him into
battle soon discovered that Ames never
hesitated to take desperate chances. I'm
der the heaviest fire, when men and off,
GERS were being stricken down around
him, he would sit ON his horse, appar-
emily unmoved by the singing rifle ball,
shrieking shot or bursting shell, and
quietly give, his orders, which were in
variably communicated in the most
quiet way and generally in the form Of
a request. often thought when I saw
him under fire that if one Of his legs
should be carried off by a shot he would
merely turn to some officer or soldier
and quietly say, Will you kindly assist
me from my horse?
''It.was fortunate thing for the ar
my before Fort Fisher and for the coun-
try that this brilliant and gallant officer
commanded the division that was des-
tined to charge into the imminent and
deadly breach and over the walls Of this
Malakoff, to stand undaunted amid the
crash and destruction of the heaviest
artillery, the murderous rife, and lead
his men into positions where it seemed
like forlorn hope. y
Early the 18th Of January Ames, at
the head of Bells and Pennypacker's
brigades, advanced toward the fort.
Curtis brigade was already at an out
work which had been carried the day
before. and it was ordered to push for
ward within 900 yards of the walls.
The advance Of Curtis called the Con-
federate garrison to the parapets, and a
singing fire greeted the column. Pen
nypacker formed his line 500 yards from
the fort III rear of Curtis, and Bell took
position in rear Of Pennypacber. Ames
gave the ninutest attention to these
preliminary movements, personally con-
Quoting the troops into position, al
though each time he and his staff group
appeared together they became targets
for sharpshooters stationed upon the
parapet and behind the palisading. The
general had made a careful toilet. as
though going out for review, and wore
brigadier generals uniform coat
All preparation for the assault was
now complete, continues Colonel Lock
wood. From this moment to the close
Of the battle the whole direction, ma
neuvering and fighting Of the army
force that operated directly against the
fort devolved on General Ames. During
the entire battle Of several hours Gener-
al Terry, commander Of the army, gave
Ames out two orders-one as Ames was
about to leave for the attack and the
other when it was nearly dark and
while he was directing the fighting Of
his division inside the fort.
The memory Of General Charles A.
Carleton. who was then serving as Il
captain and assistant adjutant general
on Alnes' staff, as well as my own. is
perfectly clear as to what was said upon
this occasion. I heard Terry's LAST
words to Ames, says Carleton, before
we left for the assault
s. : General Ames. = said Terry, the
signal agreed upon for the assault has
been given.H
Have You any special orders IN