Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-05-05

received eight thousand more renforcemens Aided
they by their powerful and gunboas, it is
not at all surprising that they succeeded capturing
the town of Plymouth.
After finding themselves vctors of the place, they
left two thousand men to guard the captured forces
ard then started, it supposed for Little Washing
ton. L heir ram and gunboats moved off toward the
mouth Of the river
The Union forces that fought so vaantly under Gen
Vessels 10 defending PIymou b, the lost Pa,
lO3d Pa, SSH n. Y, 10Th Conn, squadron OF the
18th N. 7. cavalry, and one Company Of the "a n.
7. Art ry, and one OF the I'd Massachusetts. There
were also few North Carolina troops among the
number, known as " Buffaloes." Generals Polk aud
Ransom commanded the rebels.
All is reported quiet ct Roanoke Island and New
bern.
The boat bringing the information of the fall OF Ply
mouth arrived here this morning This is the first
rival We have had trom"Roanoke Island since Monday
last.
The rebel ram and rhescreened boat Cotton Plan
ter the Roanoke river, and our gunboats the
Tacony, Miami, &C., waiting outside il the Sound
to receive them.
Another telegram from Newbern N. c., says:
Plymouth was captured by the enemy at eight o'clock
on Wednesday morning.
General Vessels and his force 500 men, went into
Fort Williams and held the enemy at bay until twelve
O'clock m, driving them back with severe less in every
attack but was finally obliged to surrender
Two full companies of the Second North Carolina
Union (colored} " ounteers were among the captured
the most of whom led ouS and shot by the enemy
after surrendering.
All the negroes who were found in uniform were
shot.
Newbern and Washington are threatened with two
rebel and large force Of rebels. The presence
of more gunboats issimmediately required here.
The funeral of Captain G.. w. Fusser takes place to-
morrow.
The following is the official despatch of Major GcnI
Peck, announcing the disaster
HEADQ'Rs THE ARMY AND DISTRICT OF NORTH
observation-disclosures Orders No. 66.-With feelings
of the deepest sorrow the Commanding General
nounces the fall of Plymouth, n. c. and the capture
OF its gallant commander, Brigadier General Il. w.
Vessels and his command. This result, however,
not obtained until after the most gallant and detern
ed resistance had been made.
Five times the enemy storined the lines of the Gene
ra and many times they handsomely repulsed
with great slaughter and but tor the powerful assist
Ct the rebel iron clad and the floating shLrp
shooter battery, the Cotton Plant, Plymouth would
still have been in hands, For their noble defence
the gallant Gen. Vessels and his brave band deserve
the warres thanks of the whole country, while all
will sympathize with them in their misfortune.
To the officers and men of the Navy the Command
ing General tenders bis thanks for their hearty coop
ration with the army, and the bravery determination
and GOODNESS which marked their part of the unequal
contest. With he records the death OF the no
BILE sailor and gallant patriot Lieut.. Commander t.
w. FusEer, United States Navy, who, in the heat OF
battle fell dead the dec6 of his ship with the Ian
yard of his gun in his hand. The Commanding Cen
era believes that these msfortunes will tend MT to dis
courage but TO nerve the Army of North Carolina TO
equal deeds of bravery and galfantry hereafter.
Uutil further orders, the headquarters CT the sub
district of the Albemarle will be at Roanoke Island
The command devoves upon COL d. W. Wardrp, of
the 99tL n. Y Vol. Iutantry.
By command OF Major General John j. Peck.
j. A. JUDsoN, ASST Adj't Gen.
The Yankees seem to have one hope OF stopping the
Confederate rams, loose in the North Ga DINA
waters and that placed the Taeony, vessel OF the
double ender' GLASS; and was built aud tqu pped at
Phiadel phia She is stauhch craft and Carries ten
n nd
att. AS paddle wheel steamer she belongs to The
third class aud is hundred and seventy tour tons
tonnage. She is commanded oy Lieut. w. F. TIux
ton, grandson of Com Truxton.
The acting assistant s7rgeon OF the gunboat South.
field, sunk by our ram 81 Plymouth, gives the follow
ing of the affair the Yankee Navy Depart
ment.
Sir-About half past five p. m, on the 18th inst J,
Fort Gray near PlymOu b. the Roanoke river, Was
attacked by the rebels battery OF six Id
Sand bank some 800 Or 1000 yards up the river
Lieut.. Com. Flusser despatched The Ceres to communl-
cate with Whitehead, which IVES doing picket duty up
the river.
10 passing up by the rebel bs0tery she received
through the port gang killing Two and WOund-
ing men. Firing upon the tort ceased at aoou
o'clock, the Ceres returning about 'hIsstlule. Al
early dawn Monday, 18Th, the enemy Charged upon
Fort Gray, and were repused. Tue Bemnshell theu
steamed up The river 10 communicate With The iort re-
celvlng several shots; and put SINKING condition
After communicating with the fort abe returned and
sank at the wharf.
At about 10 80 p. N the Southfeld dropped down
the river and reported 1t. Coz pander FGsser who
ordered the vessels to be ashed Fgeheu with ha"sro
the Southhald being the port SADIE OF the Mana-I
At about midnight the Soutbf- I'd came down the "a
chic, and up alongside the Miami reporting the
on the way down. The Ce~ts returning about toe
same time having been sent around through the Cache
to communicate with the Whitehea L.
| About 5 O'Clock a. M. on Tue eday, 19th The rem
dropped down along the left ban oil tue river unoer
the OF the shade of the trees with the current
and when ran obquey across into the starooard
bow of the Southied. We bad been firing she'll the
previous evening" shore and the guns OF both vessels
were lett loaded wi tn shell, which there was not Time
to draw IL. Commander FIusser hred tne ntSt sIei
her, and upon its bursting so sne frag menus elmer
from this the SouthfeIds shells ebound cd and cauS
ed the death of 1t Commap der FIJI IBser also woundlng
the officers and below mento aed the fragments
piercing his chest, face and skull.
Upon the approach of the ra q The Southheid also
fred at her. be prov Of tle ram running ITO the
Souhfeld caused her to fill wi water aed she sank
inside of fifteen minutes.
The forward lashngs parted by the pressure OF
the ram between vessels, and tt after ones were
then cut, and many could &c on ooato Vi LIE
Miami did 30. When the Miami 4red sue was 1ol
lowed short distance by the Iam VII cn was COILS ae
ed slow, making about four kros per Cur toe lani'
however, throwing soid ehot ct her as sne retneo-
Some of the of the Southteld took Ie sna ooatS
and were picked up by the Vtitebead an, I Ceres
The guL boats Miami, " head and sTes ieturned
to tie mouth OF the river and came to auchC r
The Ceres was despatched TO Newbern in InedIatey
with the body of Lieutenant Commander FIJI user.
The officers missing from the So1tefeid we. e Actrg
Master w. b. Newman. Acting Easign 1bos 3
A