No. 12.

Report of Col. Rufus Daggett, One hundred and seventeenth New York Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of operations January 13–15.

HDQRS, FIRST BRIG., SECOND DIV., 24TH ARMY CORPS,

Near Fort Fisher, N. C., January 17, 1865.

SIR: In obedience to orders, I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by this brigade in the storming of Fort Fisher: This brigade, under command of Brevet Brigadier-General Curtis, landed about 9.30 a. m. on the 13th instant, at a point about five miles north of Fort Fisher, and at 3.30 p. m. advanced up the beach and formed in rear of Flag Pond Battery, facing Wilmington, and on the right of General Paine's division, where it remained until about 11 p. m., when, by order of General Terry, it followed General Paine's division to a point some three-quarters of a mile nearer Fort Fisher and intrenched in rear of Half Moon Battery, where it remained until about 3 p. m. the following day. At that hour the brigade was ordered under arms, and proceeded toward Fort Fisher, following the coast for some half a mile and then striking across the point to the river side. When about half way from Half Moon Battery to Pilotsville the brigade was halted, and the One hundred and seventeenth New York Volunteers, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Meyer, was ordered forward as skirmishers, and moved to Pilotsville, where it halted, and vedettes were thrown forward as far as the outwork in front of Fort Fisher. In the meantime the brigade, being exposed to a galling fire from a rebel gun-boat stationed in the river opposite Pilotsville, by which 1 officer and 5 men were wounded, was retired behind the sand hills and moved up by squads under cover of the woods. At sundown the whole command was massed in rear of Pilotsville, and commenced at once to intrench themselves against the fire from the fort and gun-boat, which, although well directed, failed to injure a single man in the command. During the night the One hundred and forty-second New York Volunteers were pushed forward as far as the outwork, and ordered to intrench themselves and dig a riflepit from the work toward the coast, and at the same time the skirmishers were advanced to within 150 yards of the sallyport of Fort Fisher. Soon after daylight the enemy opened on the skirmishers with musketry, but without much effect, and did not prevent them from establishing a line of pits completely covering the land face of the fort. The troops lay in this position until about 10 p. m., continually enlarging and advancing the line of pits for the purpose of covering the assaulting column. At that hour the troops were got under arms and advanced to the rear line of pits in the following order: The One hundred and seventeenth New York Volunteers, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Meyer, on the right; Third New York Volunteers, under Lieutenant Behan, joining them on the left; the One hundred and twelfth New York Volunteers, under command of Col. J. F. Smith, on the extreme left, and the One hundred and forty-second New York Volunteers, under Lieut. Col. A. M. Barney, between the Third and One hundred and twelfth New York Volunteers.

At about 3 p. m. (General Curtis having received orders to that effect from General Ames, through Captain Lawrence) the brigade advanced to the charge, obliquing to the right, so as to strike the sally port (that having been deemed the only vulnerable point of the work), and after a desperate struggle the advance of the brigade reached the parapet of the fort and scaled it to the first traverse, where the guidon of the

One hundred and seventeenth New York Volunteers was planted-the first colors on the fort. The first squad of prisoners was taken by the One hundred and seventeenth New York Volunteers, the second by the One hundred and forty-second New York Volunteers. General Curtis was seriously wounded about 4.30 p. m., while gallantly fighting at the head of his command.

The great confusion consequent upon the peculiar character of the assault, and the confined position of the troops on the parapet, render a more particular report of the progress of the brigade after reaching the work impossible. Such portions of the command as could be collected were formed in the fort after the surrender, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Barney, and marched to Pilotsville.

I have to report the loss of many valuable officers, a nominal list of whom is forwarded herewith. In the absence of General Curtis I have left the special mention of officers and men to the regimental commanders under whose immediate command the services were rendered. I forward herewith a list of casualties.*

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. DAGGETT,

Colonel 117th New York Volunteers, Commanding Brigade.

Capt. CHARLES A. CARLETON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 13.

Report of Maj. Oliver P. Harding, Two hundred and third Pennsylvania Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations January 15.

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., SECOND DIV., 24TH ARMY CORPS,

In the Field, N. C., January 17, 1865.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to transmit the following report of the part taken by the Second Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-fourth Army Corps, composed of the Two hundred and third, Seventy-sixth, and Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Forty-eighth and Fortyseventh New York Volunteers, in the assault on Fort Fisher the 15th instant:

The

In compliance with instructions from General Ames, the brigade was formed in line of battle in rear of the First Brigade, the right resting on the Cape Fear River and the left about 300 yards from the seabeach. The brigade was formed in this position about 2 p. m., and at about 3 p. m. was ordered to assault the fort, which was done in a gallant manner and under a heavy fire of both grape and musketry, and entered the fort through the sallyport near the river. Two hundred and third Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Col. J. W. Moore, was the first to enter the fort, closely followed by the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by First Lieut. John Wainwright. The colors of each of those regiments reached the top of the parapet about the same time, those of the Ninety-seventh borne by Colonel Pennypacker and of the Two hundred and third by Colonel Moore.

Embodied in table, p. 405.

Colonel Pennypacker was seriously wounded while planting his colors on the third traverse, and Colonel Moore fell dead while passing the second traverse, waving his colors and commanding his men to follow. After entering the fort the brigade became somewhat broken up; nevertheless both officers and men behaved gallantly until its capture. Col. J. S. Littell, commanding Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was severely wounded at the head of his regiment while passing over the rise of ground just outside the fort. Maj. Charles Knerr then took command, and led his men during the remainder of the engagement.

Lieut. Col. William B. Coan, commanding Forty-eighth New York Volunteers, was severely wounded while forming his regiment in line just before the assault, and was obliged to be sent to the rear. Maj. Nere A. Elfwing then assumed command, and took a prominent part during the engagement.

Capt. J. M. McDonald, commanding Forty-seventh New York Volunteers, and First Lieut. John Wainwright, commanding Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, both commanded their regiments with much coolness.

After the fall of Lieutenant-Colonel Lyman, Two hundred and third Pennsylvania Volunteers, who fell on the sixth traverse, I commanded the regiment until about 5 p. m., when ordered by General Ames to take command of the brigade, which I immediately organized.

The total loss of the brigade was- -6 commissioned officers killed and 16 wounded; enlisted men, 45 killed and 215 wounded; total, 280, a nominal list of which has already been forwarded.

Respectfully transmitted.

O. P. HARDING,

Major 203d Pennsylvania Volunteers, Comdg. Brigade.

Capt. C. A. CARLETON,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Division, Twenty-fourth Army Corps.

No. 14.

Report of Capt. Heber B. Essington, Two hundred and third Pennsyl vania Infantry, of operations January 15.

HDQRS. 203D REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS,

January 17, 1865.

SIR: In accordance with your directions with respect to making a report of the part taken by the various regiments in the late action, I would respectfully report as follows:

The regiment charged on the right of the Second Brigade, and was the first regiment of the brigade to enter the fort, going in with the First Brigade. After having assisted in capturing the first two mounds, a portion of the regiment went with the First Brigade over the traverses, and the remainder went to the right and stationed themselves behind a bank in the open field south of the fort. The latter portion then charged across the plain, by order of the commanding general, until opposite the seventh or eighth traverse, where they threw up an embankment with their tin plates and shovels, which they held until the fort surrendered, keeping up a steady fire upon the enemy. The first portion which went around the traverses after they had reached

the farthest embankment held by our men, charged over the traverse, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Lyman, who fell here, and drove the enemy. Other detached portions of the regiment occupied various positions, but all behaved bravely.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Lieut. I. E. SMITH,

H. B. ESSINGTON, Captain, Commanding Regiment.

Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brig., Second Div., 24th Army Corps.

No. 15.

Report of Lieut. Col. Nathan J. Johnson, One hundred and fifteenth New York Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of operations January 15.

HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., SECOND DIV., 24TH ARMY CORPS,

Fort Fisher, N. C., January 19, 1865. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that the Third Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-fourth Army Corps, took the following part in the engagement of the 15th instant:

At about 10.30 a. m. on the 15th instant Col. Louis Bell, commanding brigade, received orders to move his brigade and form the third line of the forces attacking Fort Fisher. The brigade formed that line about 1 p. m. in front of Fort Fisher, and under the command of Col. Alonzo Alden, of the One hundred and sixty-ninth New York Volunteers (Colonel Bell having been ordered by General Ames to remain near him for the purpose of receiving orders), at 2.15 p. m. received orders to advance, which it did in the following order: Left in front, the Thirteenth Indiana Volunteers, One hundred and fifteenth New York Volunteers, Fourth New Hampshire Volunteers, and One hundred and sixty-ninth New York Volunteers forming the line (the Ninth Maine Volunteers, belong. ing to the brigade, was not with the expedition). The brigade entered the fort about 2.45 p. m., conjointly with a portion of the First Brigade, at the left bastion, a portion moving along the terre-plein and a portion on the ramparts, parapets, and slopes, some of the officers and men in the advance, with officers and men of the other brigades, all vying with each other in the noble emulation of who should be first in the grand achievements of that memorable day. The brigade continued the contest, advancing along the works until they were taken and Fort Fisher passed into Union hands.

The list of casualties has already been forwarded, to which I beg leave to refer.

The brigade was ordered to man the fort, and bivouacked inside the works. Guards were placed over (as was supposed) all the magazines and bomb-proofs containing powder and ordnance stores, but, as it subsequently appeared, one magazine was left unguarded, and about 7 a. m. on the 16th instant it exploded, burying in its débris a large number and wounding others. A list of the casualties has been forwarded, to which I respectfully beg leave to refer.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, N. J. JOHNSON, Lieutenant-Colonel 115th New York Volunteers, Comdg. Brigade. Capt. CHARLES A. CARLETON,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Division.

No. 16.

Report of Maj. Ezra L. Walrath, One hundred and fifteenth New York Infantry, of operations January 15.

HEADQUARTERS 115TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,

Fort Fisher, N. C., January 17, 1865. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of noncommissioned officers and privates of this regiment who signally distinguished themselves on the 15th instant at the assault and capture of Fort Fisher: Sergt. Peter J. Keck, color bearer, was one of the first to reach the enemy's works and planting the colors on the first traverse, and it seemed as a matter of strife between him and the brave color bearer of the Thirteenth Indiana Volunteers, as they clambered side by side the other traverses and planted their respective flags. Sergeant Keck was wounded in the early part of the engagement, but he remained until the fort was surrendered. He has been complimented on several occasions by commanding officers during the campaigns of Florida, and of the Army of the James, for bravery and good conduct while engaged with the enemy. He has been wounded twice during the war.

Corpl. Alonzo Van Evera, one of the color guard, also distinguished himself for bravery by climbing the works and bringing away the rebel colors that were near one of the guns of the fort.

Corpl. Albon W. Hanner and Private George W. Kennicutt are deserving much praise for responding to the call made by the general commanding the division for volunteers to go into a small building on the north side of the fort and from that point fire upon and silence a howitzer battery placed at the west front of the fort. Corporal Hanner, with five men, remained there until four were killed.

I would further state that the regiment was in command of Lieut. Col. Nathan J. Johnson, who, with one wing of the regiment, passed along the traverses in succession, while Maj. E. L. Walrath, with the other portion, passed through the interior opposite Colonel Johnson's command, until our forces had reached the seventh traverse, when Major Walrath was detailed to take command of the First Brigade (General Curtis being severely wounded).

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Capt. GEORGE W. HUCKINS,

E. L. WALRATH,

Major, Commanding the Regiment.

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 17.

Report of Lieut. Col. James A. Colvin, One hundred and sixty-ninth New York Infantry, of operations January 15.

HEADQUARTERS 169TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,

Fort Fisher, N. C., January 17, 1865.

The undersigned has the honor to report that upon the opening of the engagement of 15th instant Col. Alonzo Alden was in command of the regiment, but on reaching the enemy's works assumed command of the brigade, Colonel Bell being wounded. The undersigned then took command of the regiment.