Evening star., 1864-12-28
Official War Bulletin.

Official War Bulletin.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Dec 81, 1Opx,
Major Gen. Dis, New York:
The following extracts from the Richmond
papers OF to-day relating to the expedition
against Wilmington. have been forwarded to
the Department by General Grant
" An official despatch from General Beaure
gard, dated December 25, and received yester-
Gay, states that General Hardee reports that a
force OF the enemy's infantry, artillery and
cavalry, has moved from Savannah towards
Altamaha river. General Hardee has made
proper disposition to check the column It's
o6lec. pee is L probably to destroy the Savannah,
"No report has been received from Hood
since the 2sth OF November.
WILMINGTON, N. c., Dec 25.-The enemy's
fleet, over fifty vessels, including two moni-
tors, several armed vessels, and MANY heavily
armed frigates and sloops OF war, made I'm.
rious attack on Fort Fisher about one O'Clock
yesterday, and kept up an average fire of thirty
shots per minute until night. Our loss was
twenty three wounded. The attack was re.
newed at ten O'Clock this morning and has
been very furious and continuous. No report
of casualties to-day. Col Lamb, who ls in
command of the fort, replied to the enemy's
fire slowly and deliberately. The enemy,
under cover Of the heavy fire, landed about
three brieades two and a half miles above Fort
Fisher. They We're Immediately engaged by
smaller force. The enemy held his ground
at night.
- SECOND DEsPATCHI.
"WILMINGToN, n. c., Dec. .26.-The enemy's
infantry attacked Fort Fisher late last night
They were repulsed with considerable loss
There was heavy rain and wind through the
night Prisoners report the 9th corps OF the
Yankee army present under Butler.
"Wilminston.
"From our Wilmington dispatches it will be
seen that the Yankee fleet attacked Fort Fisher
barded it heavily until nightfalI, renewing the
bonn bardment at ten O'Clock on Sunday morn.
ing, and contin uing it throughout the day; that
under cover of the fire Of the fleet, the enemy
landed an infantry force above Fort Fisher,
which attacked this fort on Sunday night and
were repused.
"Fort Fisher is situated on a sand spit OF the
right bank of the Cape Fear river, at its mouth,
20 miles below Wilmington.
'The enemy, we presume, reached their po.
sition above the fort, not by passing up the
river, where they would have been obliged to
run the gauntlet OF the guns, both Of Fisher
and Caswell, on the left bank, but by landing
on the beach east Of the mouth of the Cape
Fear river.
above the fort is a serious matter. It will cost
double the force to dislodge him that would
have prevented his landing"
Dispatches from Gen. Thomas represent him
still in pu rsuit Of Hoods broken and disorga-
nized force.
"HrADeuARrEEns, nn,lau1n PuhAsKds Las T. TIIEas,S,}
"IMGior General Halleck, Chief of staff.
sHRApQUARTRRs CAvALRY CORPS, Beyond
Pulaski. Dec. 25.-There seems to be little
donbt thet tho rehais have gone to Brainhridge,
miles above Florence, fearing a flank move,
ment from Stevenson.
1.-TWO corps of Stewards and Lees wen.
by this road to Lexington, striking the
old military road, eight miles below Law.
renceburg. Cheatham's went towards Law
rencehurg.
menseIy. Buford's wound Is said to be quite
severe. Mr.. Carter says the Colonel com.
manding the pontoon transportation told him
he was going to Brainbridge; left here on
transportation of Is or 90 wagons was aban-
doned here. The mules were put in to help
the pontoons along.
"General Lee was severely wounded in the
foot in the fight at Nashville. His corps is now
commanded by Stevenson. The rebels have
lost eighteen generals killed, wounded, and
captured since they started North. They &C.
knowledge 6S pieces OF artillery lost.
"Jos. H. WILSON, Brevet Major Gen1"
ga later dispatch, of p. M, 25th instant
states that in pressing the enemy Harrison's
brigade came upon the enemy's infantry strong
ly posted in rail breastworks, and so close did
he push up that, in being compelled to fall
back, the loss of one gun was involved. The
position was, however, taken ten minutes af-
forwards, but the enemy had run the gun Off
"The rebel torce is eight brigades OF five
hundred to six hundred men each.
"General Wood. commanding the 4th corps,
is in support of General Wilson, and both will
continue the pursuit Zealously.
81 have heard from Steadman to day. He
dsembarked his troops from cars at Limestone
Creek, seven miles from Decatur, and was
marching on that place at a m to-day.
Major General Commanding"
The department has not received from
Savannah any reports except the kilograms of
General Sherman and General Foster, already
published.
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.