The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-03-28

it was decided TO risk an assault on Fort Fish
er, Paine's division with Colonel Abbotta
brigade, to bold our line already strong across
the peninsula and facing Wilmington against
Hoke while Ames' division should assault on
the front, 400 marines and 1895 sailors on the
east end. After three hours Of heavy navy fire
the assault was made at 0 p. m. on the 18th.
Curtis brigade led, and as soon as it got on
the west end of the land front was followed
by Pennypaoker's and later by Bells. After
desperate fighting, gaining foot by foot and Sc
we're loss, at p. m. we had possession Of about
half the land front.
General Joseph G. Abbott commander
of the brigade sent from Paine's division
to the support of Ames' division at an
advanced stage of the fight, says:
Reaching the fort about dark, reported to
General Ames, whose division had already as
saulted and carried portion Of the work and
was occupying it. About o'clock by order
of General Ames, / then proceeded to dislodge
the enemy from the remainder of the fort.
All the important statements from
superiOrs and outsiders are given above.
Here follow the reports of General
Ames and his subordinates. General
Ames says under date of Jan. 16, the
day after the fight:
At p. m. on the 18th we stormed Fort Fish
er. Brevet Brigadier General N NJ. Curtis
brigade (the -First) made a Judgment on the
northwest anglo of the fort l Immediately
ordered up Colonel Pennypacker's brigade
1.-THE Secondly. The enemy was at once driven
from the palisading extending from the fort to
the river, and about one-third of the work. its
northwest anglo, was occupied by us.
then ordered up Colonel Bells brigade and
moved it forward against and in rear of the
sea face of the work, the ground being much
obstructed by the ruins OF barracks, lumber
and other rubbish. The enemy being protect
ed by traverses and taking advantage of the
cover afforded by magazines, ETC., checked our
advance. Fighting of most desperate char
acter continued until after dark, during which
time We made considerable advancement on
the left and captured 400 prisoners. About 8
p. m. Colonel Abbott with his brigade (from
Paine's division in the rear) completed the oc-
cupation Of the face Of the work extending
from the ocean to the river. general i'd
vance was now made and the fort occupied
without opposition. ***
Brevet Brigadier General N. NJ Curtis. COM
handing the First brigade, was prominent
throughout the day for his bravery, GOODNESS
and judgment. His services cannot be over
estimated. He fell short time before dark,
seriously wounded in the head by a canister
| shot
Colonel Ct. Pennypacker, commanding the
Second brigade, was seriously wounded while
planting his colors on the third traverse of the
work. This officer was surpassed by none, and
his absence during the day was most deeply
felt and seriously regretted.
Colonel l.. Bell, commanding the Third bri.
gade, was mortally wounded while crossing
the bridge in advance of the palisading. He
was All able and efficient officer; one not easily
replaced.
Colonel Rufus Daggett, who succeeded
Curtis in command Of the First brigade
says in his report:
At about p. M, General Curtis having re-
ceived orders to that effect from General
Ames through Captain Lawrence tho brigade
advanced to the charge *** and after des-
perate struggle the advance of the brigade
reached the parapet of the fort and scaled it to
the first traverse. *~* General Curtis was
seriously wounded about a 80 p. IN. while gal
lantly fighting at the head of his command.
Major o. P. Harding, who succeeded
Colonel Pennypacker sin command of
the Second brigade, says in his report:
In compliance with instructions from Gener-
al Ames the brigade was formed in line in rear
of the First brigade, the right resting ON Cape
Fear river and the left about 300 yards from
the seabeach. The brigade was formed in this
position about p. M and at about p. m. was
ordered to assault the fort-which was done in
gallant manner and under heavy fire of
grape and musketry-and entered the fort
through the sally port near the river. Colonel
Pennypacker was seriously wounded while
planting his colors on the third traverse, way
ing his colors and commanding the men to fol
low.
Lieutenant Colonel N. J. johnson,
successor to Colonel Bell in command of
the First brigade, reported as follows:
The brigade *** under command of Colo
rel Alonzo Alden, Colonel Bell having been or
dered by General Ames to remain near him for
the purpose of receiving orders, at 2:15 p. M.