The sun., 1897-06-18
TEE HERO OF roRr FISHER.
Gel. Lamb, who Ceu,rasndea the Fort, Appeal
for the Rncornitien of Gen. Curtia.


Tor the ReceEnitier OF Gen. Curtis.
wAsHrNaroS. Juno l7.-Col william Lamb,
Chairman OF the Republican State Central Com
mittee OF Virginia, who was tho Confederate
commander of Fort Fisher. filed statement
with President Mckinley to-day that is an lin
portant contribution to the discussion over the
Fort Fisher fight between Gen. Curtis Of New
York and Gen. Ames Of Massachusetts. Col.
Lamb appeals for the recognition Of Gen. Cur
tis's services TO his country, and says:
"As the Confederate commander Of Fort Fish
or, was witness to tho skill, the courage, and
tho incstinable services of Gen. Newton NJ.
Curtis TO hi. country. My fort commanded the
last gateway to tho South from tho outer world.
and for months the supplies OF arms. ammuni-
tion, food, and clothing had successfully passed
the largest blockading fleet the world had ever
witnessed, supplying tho Confederate forces
with absolute necessities. 30 important was
this gateway to the Southern cause. that Gen.
Leo sent mo word that IL tho fort fell he could
not feed his army.
"While desperately wounded and q prisoner
in Chesapeake Hospital. and surrounded by
Federal officers who wero disabled in the cap.
G hus
proved that it Is due to the patriotic pertinacty
Of Gen. Curtis that the attempt to capture this
southern stronghold was not abandoned with
course. and that the former expedition,
back with such celebrity that had had no ade.
quste time to repair my damage, :, and. instead
announce to Gen. Bragg the reappearance OF tho
American armada before my works."
Col Lamb then describes the conditions of the
-" Seizng the flag of his old regiment the 142d
New York, Gen. Curtis led the desperate charge.
ramparts he had received four serious wounds,
my riiemen killing or wounding every officer OF
of left nnea wh
and marines were routed with disastrous
iSss despite, ,hS a. entreates & OF the fearless ri s
upon Curtis and the longest and boodlest hand
being enhanced by the fatal fire Of the navy into
my ranks. SO unexpected and desperate was
had turned three heavy seaface guns upon, the
Eoderals In the fort. that those not led ey
Of bSeG sna
upon tho ramparts. assisted by the navy, gradu:
works until. receiving two frightful wounds,
losing an eye and portion OF his scalp at tho
but not until no had refused to retire and had
rendered the recovery OF the fort by Its garrison
impossible without the assistance of Bragg.
while would not detract from the ability
or courage Of any Of the officers. army or navy.
ing Of Jan, is. 1885. vet feel. in common with
| my officers and men, that to Gen. Curtis, whose
| giant form towering above his men made him
conspicuous object to his foe. moro than to
any one else Oh the Federal side is due the en-
hours hard fighting on that eventful winter
night To the persistency Of Gen. Curtis and to
his courage are due the earlier termination Of
! our dreadful struggle by many months, with all
| the lives saved and human misery stopped; and
for this alono, wearing his Congressional medal
the Victoria Cross OF tho Federal army. he 10
deserving of the highest recognition at our
hands.
Il have come to you, Mr.. President, of my
own voltion. The only intimation Gen. Curtis
d had OF my Intention wSs when .b had him m
your Administration. to whose success in No
vember last he so zealously contributed when
| he modestly said II you should see fit to make
| him a director Of the Pacific road 1t
would be most acceptable. Before calling
on you l asked my, friend Senator Platt of
New York IL 1t would be agreeable to him TO
have me ask position for one OF his constitu.
ents. and he said he would be pleased TO have
Gen. Curtis recognized in any way. But do
not think you should charge the appointment of
Gen. Curtis even to the great State OF New York
be belongs and should be charged TO tho whole
Union. which he did SO much to preserve