The Maine bugle ... campaign; 1-5 Jan. 1894-Oct. 1898 - Maine.gov

30 THE MAINE BUGLE.
of modern warfare. Still, this most brilliant and dramatic event
was largely overshadowed by the great closing battles of the
long contest, and even at this late day new explanations are set
forth to show that it is one thing to storm such a fort and get
possession of one of its bastions with several traverses, and quite
another to capture the garrison that defends the interior of
such a stronghold inch b\- inch for seven long hours.
As a participant in both the successful and unsuccessful expe-
ditions against this famous fort, having ser\'ed on the staft" of
Brevet Major-General Adelbert Ames, who commanded the
division of attack, I held a position that enabled me to know
what happened at this time, and to form as I think a correct
judgment on many questions that have arisen since the capture.
I believe that each one who took part in the leading battles,
sieges, and expeditions of the war should state the facts as they
appear to him. in order that truths of history maybe developed ;
not to foment controversy, but to aid those who wish to learn
the true history of those times. With this spirit I propose to
set down some facts that relate more particularly to the move-
ments of the army before Fort Fisher.
Before proceeding to the more important part of this paper I
desire incidentally to refer to the subject of the failure of the
explosion of the " powder-boat." which made General Butler
the butt of so much ridicule and called down upon him so much
adverse criticism.
" We all believed in it from the admiral down," says Lieutenant-Commander
Parker in a paper lately read before the New
York Commandery of the Loyal Legion, " but when it proved
so laughable a failure, we of the navy laid its paternity upon
Genercl Butler."
This is a very frank admission, for the truth is that in looking
about for a scape-goat after the failure, Butler was seriously
charged with the fiasco. The general's plan was to run the
powder-boat on shore before firing it, and at a time when the
arm\' was near enough to take advantage of any damage that
might be done. It was not carried out. The navy, that had
full charge of the .iffair. exploded the powder at 1.30 A. M.,