Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 2

[342] chasing the rebels from traverse to traverse, while the iron-clads fired on the bomb-proofs in advance and enfiladed the level strip of land leading to Federal Point, to prevent reinforcements being put ashore from the river. Porter kept up constant communication with Terry, and until six o'clock the fire of the navy continued upon that portion of the work not occupied by national forces; after that time, it was directed entirely on the beach to prevent the coming up of rebel reinforcements.

The fighting was continued from traverse to traverse, until, at nine o'clock, the troops had nearly reached the bastion. Bell had been killed and Pennypacker wounded, and Curtis now sent back for reinforcements. The advance party was in imminent peril, for the guns from both the bastion and the mound batteries were turned upon them. At this crisis a staff officer brought orders from Terry to stop the fighting and begin entrenching. Curtis was inflamed with the magnificent rage of battle, and fairly roared at this command. ‘Then we shall lose whatever we have gained. The enemy will drive us from here in the morning.’ While he spoke, he was struck by a shell, and fell senseless to the earth. The hero of Fort Fisher had fallen, and the fort was not yet carried. Ames, who was near him, sent an officer to Terry to report that Curtis was killed, and that his dying request was that the fighting might go on. It was also Ames's opinion that the battle should proceed. Terry caught the contagion, and determined to continue the assault, even if it became necessary to abandon the line of defence towards Wilmington. Abbott's reinforcements were at once ordered forward, and