The National tribune., 1899-06-01

forwarI ard essayed to do what was
assigned them, but, alas, they failed.
The movement really proved 10 be a
diversion, attracting for the time being
the almost entire attention Of the garrison
TO the point Of attack, and thus leaving
the real attacking force of the army TO
approach partially by the river shore,
where they could not be seen, to very near
that part of the fort near the Cape Fear
River.
feated the equally brave naval column
than the real attack began. As this
article is not Fort Fisher article, the
writer must omit many of the particulars
of that memorable fight.
The fight went on and on, seemingly
interminable, our troops taking the fort by
piecemeal-One traverse after another
beginning at the Cape Fear River and
working toward the ocean.
On and on they fought, every inch being
stOutly contested. At times there would
be lull as if each side was exhausted,
and halted to obtain a second wind.
About nightfall-and it was moonlight
night-the fighting substantially ceased,
each side firmly holding his ground, but
both completely, though temporarily, ex-
hauSted.
At this time the then remnant of the
naval column which was protecting itself
by and near the palisades, was directed to
fall back as best il could, and the brigade
TO which the Sd n. III. belonged was or
dered TO take a hand in the fight. This
brigade reached the fort just after dark,
and with their Seven-ShooterS IN hand
entered the fort at the point to which our
troops had forced their way probably
seventh, eighth or ninth traverse and at
once began furious attack, taking ira
verse after traverse, and driving the
enemy along its own line.
At this attack by fresh troops, those OF
our force within the work were much
encouraged, and again they took hand
with renewed zeal, or as much certainly
as was possible for an already exhausted
force to do. The Sd N. H. was commanded
in this fight by Captain, afterward Major,
W. H. Trickey, and bravely he did his
part, as did all the others, officers and
men. 1t was the most desperate fight the
regiment was ever in.
The fighting continued with varying
degrees of fierceness until the surrender.
What cheering, what signalling, what
screechng of whistles, Immediately fol
lowed the surrender pen cannot describe,
and the memory OF those present cannot
forget what their eyes and ears enjoyed on
that ever memorable Sunday night. The
Sd n. II. remained within the fort until
nearly morning, when it was ordered back
To the defensive line. Lucky regiment!
Had it remained, many would no doubt
have been blown up in the great explo- |
sion, which resulted in about 100 killed, |
mostly OF the 169th N. Y. Their taking |
off was very tragic, their death and burial
being simultaneous.
From the defensive line, which was in |
reality but stones throw from the op
posing line of works, the boys in blue |
slowly made their way by short advances
10 the city of Wilmington, reaching that
city on the 22d Of February.
A few Of the Sd n. II. were engaged on
the 18th Of January, together with the lth
n. ii. and 18th Conn, and captured about
50 men of North Carolina regiment. Two
large lots of the Fort Fisher prisoners
were sent North under charge of Capt.
Edgerly and Lieut.. Hitchcock, OF the Sd
n. H., on separate steamers. |
Feb %, 1865, was sort of gala day, the |
troops marching into Wilmington without
much opposition at the outposts, with |
flags flying, drums beating, etc. The Sd |
\. ii. was in the advance, and the men |
were Justly proud Of the honor. They |
passed through the city-the enemy had
retreated-and TO Smiths Creek Bridge, |
which they found burning. They soon !
extinguished the fire sufficiently TO en-
able troops to cross. In passing through |
the city there came to meet the Sd n. III. |
one OF its members who had been capt
ured in action the previous Summer, and
who had managed 10 escape from prison,
and had been hiding in the city. His |
great Joy at meeting his own regiment |
and theirs 10 meet him can only be imag-
ined. Corp'l Entwistle had been Il pris- |
oner for months, and for weeks had been
hiding in pigpens and barns.
The onward march was stopped at
Northeast Ferry, where the rebels had
cut loose one end Of their pontoon. Here
we halted and encamped. The officers
and men left behind in Virginia reioined |
on the 18th, coming on the California. |
under command of Lieut.. Col. Randlett. |
These were largely substitute recruits |
who had Joined Just prior TO the departure !
OF the second expedition 10 Fort Fisher.
Our arrival at Northeast Ferry was pre-
ceded by sort of running skirmish
fight, in which the Sd n. III. was repre-
scented. This was our last fight and but
once after that were we under fire
The latter part Of February and the
earlier part of March, 1865, were periods