Sgt. Peter J. Keck of Co. E, 115th New York Infabtry was one of the first to each the fort's paparpets and plant the flag on them Jan. 15, 1865. He planted it on the first traverse on the Cape Fear River side. Evidently, he was in competition with the color bearer of the 13th Indiana to see who could get up there first.
He was wounded early in the fight, but continued until the Confederate surrender. It is surprising that this didn't get him nominated for a Medal of Honor.
Keck also fought in Florida and other engagements of the Army of the James.
115th NEW YORK
Was recruited from upstate New York in the Mohawk Valley. During both attacks on Fort Fisher, they were in Col. Louis Bell's Third brigade XXIV Corps. In the first attack, they were commanded by Major Ezra Walrath and by Lt. Col. Nathan J. Johnson in the second.
During the Wilmington Campaign, they were in the XXIV Corps, 2nd Division under Brig. Gen. Adelbert Ames. They were still in the 3rd Brigade, but Col. Bell had been killed in the second attack on the fort.
The 115th is credited with participating in the Advance on Wilmington and the Sugar Loaf Batteries on Feb. 20th and the attack on Fort Anderson on Feb. 19th.
They also made a forced march to the Northeast Cape Fear River where they captured a pontoon bridge.
Why No Medal of Honor for Keck? --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
