The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-08-14

they attacked the centre Of the fort
and We're driven off twice. About 1,38o,
~ConfederateS were in their front and.
they swept them with grape and
canister and one Confederate said.
they had fired a keg of nails at the
Yankees. The marines after losing
420 or 430 retreated, but left him with
sixty men who held their ground till
h fort fell. They laid down and when
even q cap was set up on & stick it
was riddled by the Confederates. He
held his position until the whistles OF
the vessels We're blown and magnificent
fireworks and Examinations were set up
from h blockading fleet. He stated
n a blue lights. red lights We're sent UP
and it was the most magnificent sight
he ever witnessed. When he saw it
he knew that Fort Fisher had been
captured and he and his men with him
went on into the fort over the parapet
from which they a been driven be-
fore. He stated that of
the marines had been shot down and
he saw brave Preston and Porter quiv-
ering in their death. He said the
"Johnnies" fought as CALAMITY as men
Gould do and driven from h front of
their works by the terrific Smelling from
the fleet and fro mIhe rear by the
bullets of the army, they could not
stand it. and he never could under
stand how they Stoo1 till 10 or 1890
o'clock that Sunday night in January.
He declared that it was a grand and
glorious fight on both sides. n the
bravery and endurance and luck dis
played on both sides made him proud
to be an American. (A~pplause.) He
closed by saying that he was glad to
be here to meet the survivors and to
see SO many of them were alive. He
wished them peace and happiness and
plenty in the future and hoped to meet
them in the regions of the bleSt. CAD
p~lause.)
Col. Woodward introduced Governor
Aycock who, as usual. made a telling
and eloquent speech.
He closed by saying that this was
the greatest country on the face of the
earth and that he esteemed it a gfOfl-
Gus privilege to belong to a %country
that furnished men hat fought and
made such sacrifices as they did on
either side at Fort Fisher.
The following resolution offered by
DIR. c. S. Kerr, of Co. A, seth North
adopted.
"Resolved. That We the surviving
veterans Of Fort Fisher tender our
heart felt thanks to the aides Of Will
mingtOn and her citizens in general for
the kin reception given us; and espe
cially to those Daughters Of the Con
federacy who so 1avishly gave uS din
ner on this special and ever to be re-
nembered occasion.
Also our thanks are especially due
to Captain Joh w. Harper and to
| Comrades H. c. Mcqueen and Rev. j
A. Smith with the camp of Cape Fea1
| veterans for personal efforts in getting
up this reunion. G. w. Yates, Colone
Woodward and DR.. w. H. Green and
| Captain Oldham, of the same commit
| tee being entitled to special credit.
RESOLVED further, That we have ex'
! perienced great pleasure in having Col
Lamb Of the 36th, and Capt. Parker OF
| the U. S. navy and Governor Aycocl
| for their speeches and presence"
| Col. Woodward on behalf of Cap
| Fear Camp made a few remarks O
! parting, and said the reception Woulc
come to a close by singing a verse o
Nearer My Sod to Thee" and tn
benediction by Rev. J. A Smith, a vet
eran of Fort Fisher.
The verse was sung anC
was inspiring, and the prayer n ben
ediction by Mr.. Smith was a
and peculiarly n~-DrODriare one.