Curtis was prominent throughout the day for his personally leading the First Brigade from traverse to traverse. After the battle, General Adelbert Ames, the Second Division Commander, cited his "bravery, coolness and judgement. His service cannot be overestimated."
In addition, Curtis received a Medal of Honor "for extraordinary heroism." Continuing, "The first man to pass through the stockade, Brigadier General Curtis personally led each assault on the traverses and was four times wounded."
Definitely a soldiers' general. No hanging out behind the lines for N.M. Curtis.
In 1899, the Fort Fisher's commander, Col. William Lamb, met on stage at Canton's old town hall to start a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. "Both spoke, paying one another splendid comments."
Curtis was not a brigadier general at Fort Fisher, but his "gallant service" prompted Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton to elevate him to that rank.
After Appomattox, Curtis served as Chief of Staff of the Department of Virginia and later commander of the Department of Southwest Virginia before ending his military career January 15, 1866.
Not Over Yet. --B-R'er
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