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

The reunion of the survivors of Fort
Fisher on yesterday is now over, but
The memory of it will live and it's inf1u-
encc upon history will be far reaching
and powerful. Nothing could have
stimulated more interest in the glori-
Gus record of Fort Fisher, and it may
De confidently expected that the en-
GhuSiastic interest aroused will result
IN not only fixing in their merited
place in history the great lombard
Enent of the fort. but also in having the
government to restore the Notifications
and beautify the site; IS that we still
nave a constant and suitable reminder
that here on North Carolina soil occur
red a historic event of unsurpassed
OrlllIancy and Importance in the his
rory of the world. Fort Fisher is at
the head of all the worlds great bonn
Oardments, and our pride in the fact
should be so great that the people Of
our nation annreciate it fully.
At s o'clock yesterday morning al
the Wilmington Light Infantry the
grand old warriors assembled and at
$50 o'clock, under escort of the Light
Infantry and Naval Reserves. march
ed down to the awaiting steamer Vii
mingtOn. The line was in
OF Col. w. ]. Woodward.
The day for the most part was
stormy N marked by a heavy down
pour of rain. but little the matter for
that There was not lacking tina
warm-hearted intercourse and cOmpan-
fonship that stirs the spirit when old
scenes of conflict are revisited and old
days of battle recalled.
The steamer reached Tho LANDING at
Ehe Rocks at bout II o'clock. and it
MaS feared hat there would not be
Sufficient time for the veterans to walk
over to the fort. Il mile and a half
AWAY, and return in time to carry out
h programme of the day. NBut a ma
tiOrity of them had never been there
since the bloody days of January. 1865.
and were determined>tO revisit the bic
sand hills Ae they wandered through
the vast extent of the Qualifications.
many a forgotten incident was recall
ed, as the spot where it occurred was
recognized. Particular interest seemed
TO be felt in the main sally-pOrt of the
fort. where the dealiest fighting oc-
Cured in the afternoon of that hOrri-
bile SUNDAY of January 18th, and where
n large number of the garrison were
killed. The small mound in the inte-
rior Of the fort was recognized, where
gallant Private Bland of the Seth
~ III ~ lin y
replaced the flag twice by climbing the
pole in the face of what seemed GER
tain death. The famous Mound Bat
terry was looked for in vain. since it's
site Is now under water near the south
east end of the remaining battlements.
A party consisting of Governor Ay-
cock. Colonel Lamb. Captain Parker,
formerly of the U. S. navy, and others
reached the fort by way of the river
end, and followed the land face over
to the old hospital mound. The walk
was a most memorable one for those
IN the party. Many an old veteran,
roaming over the hills. greeted Colonel
Lamb with a gush of the old enthu-
=fasm. The colonel pointed out many
spots of interest. He showed where
General Whiting fell. and also where
he himself was severely in
leading his men up the parapet. The
party became separated: and Captain
Parker walked with a few companions
Il little toward the interior of the fort,
but seeing Colonel Lamb and others
standing at the northeast salient. he
approached, and the two old-time hos
tile commanders embraced at the very
spot where over 3SyearS ago. Captain
Parker led the bold charge of the Fed
eral Marines. which was repulsed with
a loss OF over 400 men in not more than
One-half Of an hour. The scene was
affecting to the gathered
Captain Parker proposed three cheers
Tor Colonel Lamb. which were Justify
given; and our townSman, Mr.. John w
Reilly. son of the gallant Major James
Reilly. offered the same compliment
80 Captain Parker.
~ The veterans have a dear spot ir
their heart for Colonel Lamb. and a
tender recollection of General Whiting.
One of them said th~- the latter was
the coolest man under fire that he ever
saw. He continuously walked around
among the men. and patting them or
the shoulder offered some remark OF
encouragement or good feeling.
Private Johnston. of Clarkton, n. C.
says THAT he was in charge OF the
gums that repulsed the Federal ma
Cines. He states that it was pitiful tC
see the men fall like mOwn grass as
che cannon poured their deadly fire ir
their faces.
Before the scattered crowd could
Tegather on the steamer the storm
came, which made the return. particu'
Iarly the walk Over or norton of tht
Rocks. very difficult and uncomforta,
ble. The run to Carolina Beach wa:
much belated. and every ona received
Il sound wetting in going back anC
Forth from the train. But. one. in tn,
spacious pavilion. the scene bright.
ened. and the veterans partook of tn,
dinner prepared by the Daughters O.
ahe C~onfederacy. This was a remind
IT of old days, when the ladies Of tn,
eNe Society of Wilmington, wen
down to Fort Fisher on the steame
Flora Macdonald and presented a New
Years dinner to the garrison as