Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-12-30

command: Commodore E. g. Parrots com.
Calhoun, commanding The SanSus; L. Con"
mander Geo. ). Belknap, commandinS The
Csnonicus; 1t Commander E. e. Potter, com
"There are about 1900 men left on shore by
the army, who have not been rot of vet on ac-
count of the surf and the beach. They will be
got of In the morning, and the soldiers Will be
These men were subsequently got OF safe.
ly.-ED. STAR. -,-
Accompanying Admiral Porser's repor. is
the following correspondence between himself
and Gen. Butler, alluded to In his report:
LETTER OF GENERAL BUTLER TO ADMIRAL
PORTER.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT VIRGINIA
AND NORTH CAROLINA, Dec. 25.-Admiral:-
Upon landing the troops and making q thor.
ough recon nnossance OF Fort Fisher, both Gen.
Weitzel and my self are fully OF the opinion that
the place could not be carried by assault, as it
was left subs antlally uninjured as defensive
work by the navy fire. We found seventeen
were dismounted, bearing up the beach and
covering strip of land, the practicable route,
not more tnan wide enough for u athousand men
Having captured Flag Pond Hill Battery, the
garrison OF which, sixty 1ve men and tive com.
missionsd officers, Were taken off bv the navy,
we also captured Half Moon Battery and sew
en- officers and two hundred and eighteen men
OF the Sd North Carolina Junior Reserves in
Guiding its commander, from whom learned
that portion Of HOkes di vision, consisting of
Kirklands aud Haygood's brigades, had been
sent from the lines before Richmond on Tues
day last, arriving at Wilmington Friday night.
General Weitzel advanced his skirmsh line
within fifty yards Of the fort, while the garri-
sop wss kept in their bomb proofs by the fire
OF the navy, and so closely that three or four
men OF the picket line ventured upon the par
apet and through the saflyport Of the work,
capturing horse, which they brought off, kill
ling the orderly, who was the bearer Of q des-
patch from chief OF artillery OF Gen! Whiting,
brought away from the parapet the flag Of the
fort.
This was done while the shells Of the navy
were falling about the heads OF the daring men
who entered the work, and it was evident as
soon as the fire Of the navy ceased because Of
the darkness, that the fort was fully manned
again and opened with grape and canister
upon our picket line.
Finding that nothing but the operations OF
regular siege which did not come within my
instructions. would reduee the fort, and in
view of the threatening aspect of the weather,
wind arising from the southeast, rendering it
impossible to make further landing through
the surf. l caused the troops with their pris-
oners to re.embark. and see nothing further
that can be done by the land forces. i shall
therefore sail for Hampton Roads as soon as
the transport fleet can be got in order.
The engineers and office report Fort Fisher
to me as substantially uninjured as defensive
work.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Major General Commanding.
Tc Rear Admiral Porter, Commanding N. A.
Blockading Squadron.
ADMIRAL PoRTER's REPLY.
NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON, u. 8. FLAG
SHIP MALVERN, OF Neto Inlet, Dec. 26, ls64.-
General: beg leave 10 acknowledge the re-
ceipt Of your letter of this date, the substance
Of which was communicated to me by General
Weitzel last night
Ihaye ordered the largest vessels to proceed
Off Beaufort, and fill up with ammunition, to
be ready for another attack in case it is de-
cided to proceed with this matter by making
other arrangements. I'D.
We have not commenced firing rapidly vet,
and could keep any rebels inside from show
ing their heads until an assaulting column was
within twenty yards OF the works.
Iwish some more of your gallant fellow had
followed the officer who took the flag from the
horse out from the fort. l think they would
have found it an easier conquest than Is sup.
posed. .5'
do not desire, howe yer, to place my opin-
ion in opposition to General Weitzel, whom
know to be an accomplished soldier and en-
giueer, and whose opinion has great weight
with me. a
Twill look out that the troops are all OF In
safety. We will have a west wind presently,
| and q smooth beach ABOUT o'clock, when sui.
| fcient boats will be sent tor them.
The prisoners now on board the Santiago de
| Cuba will be delivered to the provost marshal
at Fortress Monroe, unless you wish to take
| them on board one Of the transports, which
would be inconvenient just now. -4
L remain, General, respectfully, your obe-
dent servant,
DAVID ID. PORTER, Rear Admiral.
To Major General B. F. BUTLER, command
ing, &c, &c.