there by bad weather. On the 12th they arrived off Fort Fisher and landed early in the morning under a heavy fire from Porter’s fleet. At three o’clock about 8,000 troops, with marines, had landed, having three days’ rations in their haversacks and about sixty rounds of ammunition to each man. Intrenching tools, munitions, &c., were landed in spite of the heavy surf that rolled upon the beach. Gen. Terry’s first concern was to throw a strong defensive line across the peninsula whereon Fort Fisher stands, so as to isolate it from all support and enable him to hold his ground against any force the rebels might send down from Wilmington. Some little time was spent in getting the troops in the right position. The line advanced to within 600 yards of the fort, and had determined upon an assault the next day (Jan. 14). The iron-clads began their work of destruction, and so true were their shots that ere long the gunners in Fort Fisher were driven into their bomb-proofs, thus silencing their guns. Meanwhile, about 2,000 sailors and marines, armed with cutlasses, revolvers and guns, had been detailed from the fleet and landed to take their hand in the meditated assault. They had worked their way up on the beach by digging ditches for a cover, till they were within 200 yards of the fort, and lay down anxiously awaiting the order to charge. This order was given at a quarter past three. The fleet was, of course, obliged to change the direction
of their fire, so that our forces might not get the shelling which was intended for the rebels. This gave the enemy a chance again to work their guns, and, seeing the marines and sailors advancing they poured grape and shrapnel into their ranks fearfully, while the musketry kept up a steady fire, mowing them down with great slaughter; and, although almost annihilated, they pressed on, and some actually gained the parapet. But the sailors’ assault was signally repulsed and they were obliged to retire. The brigades leading the assault in the other directions were more successful, although for a time it seemed almost impossible to stand up under such a withering fire. The rebels met the charge with a prolonged yell and a simultaneous fire. The division under Gen. Ames, consisting of three brigades, rushed forward, and the fighting was at close quarters. The rebel’s fire told fearfully in the Union ranks, and men were swept away in winrows. Yet on they pressed, almost exhausted, when Gen. Terry sent for Abbott’s brigade, with the old Sixth and Seventh regiments. They pressed the foe in close quarters, while they (the rebels) relinquished foot by foot their possession. Gen. Terry sprang to the head of the advancing column, cheering the troops by his presence, and with redoubled effort the whole line advanced with a yell and the frightened rebels fell back in dismay, while the Union forces invested the Fort, and victory was
ours. The Union cheers were by no means faint at this achievement which had crowned their arms, and Gen. Terry became the hero of the hour.
The capture of the stronghold was not effected without severe loss to our forces. The gallant sailors and marines suffered most, as their advance up the beach was opposed with the deadliest fire. The loss of the Sixth was small, considering the part they took in the engagement. The rebels immediately surrendered to Gen. Terry, numbering, all told, 2,083 men, 169 heavy guns, besides about 2,000 small arms, with considerable ammunition and other stores. The Union loss in this battle figured up to 110 killed and 536 wounded. A sad calamity happened the next morning in the Fort. While some of the troops were inspecting the chief magazine, it was supposed that some loose powder lay on the floor which was ignited by the shoes of the soldiers coming in contact. A tremendous explosion followed, in which 200 of our troops were instantly killed and about 100 more were wounded. This sad event cast a gloom over the victorious army, as those brave men who had stood in the fore-front of many a hard fought battle, and just as victory had once more crowned their efforts, to be thus suddenly hurried into eternity was indeed sickening.
By the capture of Fort Fisher the navy also captured five blockade runners which were unable to get
away. Part of the enemy retreated across Cape Fear river to Smithfield, but, fearing an advance of the Union forces, they blew up their magazines, deserted their works and fled toward Wilmington. The army of the Union did not rest at this point, but immediately advanced to press the retreating rebels. The Sixth pushed rapidly forward, skirmishing with the rear guard, and on the 22d of February our forces entered Wilmington in triumph, and drove the rebels in confusion through the city. They fled in the greatest haste, scattering their blankets and knapsacks on the way, but were so closely pursued by the Sixth and other regiments that they had no chance to form for battle till near the outskirts of the city, where they determined to make one more stand. Although they were stubborn, they were finally forced to yield and made their escape across North East river.
The Sixth remained in the city of Wilmington one night, when they were ordered across Cape Fear river to Smithville, where their stay was also brief; they soon returned to Wilmington again, where Captain Buckbee of the Sixth was detailed as A. A. C. M., and remained there some time. The Sixth only remained in Wilmington for a short time and was thence transferred to Goldsboro, N. C., where they spent the summer months engaged in patrol and picket duties. The regiment was here when the news came of the surrender of Lee’s army, and great
rejoicing was indulged in by the men at the prospect of the termination of the war. The Sixth was ordered to Raleigh for muster out, and from thence went to Petersburg and took cars for City Point, Va., where they embarked for home, after nearly four years of active service.
Lieut. Col. Daniel Klein arrived in New Haven with the old Sixth on the 28th of July, 1865, where they had an enthusiastic reception tendered them by the citizens and military. Ex-Mayor Morris Tyler addressed a welcome to the returned soldiers, which was briefly responded to by Lieut. Col. Klein. The final muster-out did not occur till the 21st of August, when the men were paid off and dismissed.
Thus was ended the organization of the Sixth, a regiment who volunteered early in the war and remained till the close. All through the war for the Union the upholders of the National Cause were more or less exposed to extraordinary hardships and sufferings because of the many densely wooded and sparsely peopled regions over which they generally marched and fought. All soldiers were more or less acquainted with the marshy spots of ground that served for a bed at night after a hard day’s battle or march, and but few arose in the morning without pain racking some part of the body from the effects of such exposure, and yet a large share survived the conflict and returned home to their friends.