Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-18
FORTRESS MONROE, }
January II, 1865, 10 p. m.

FORTRESS MONROE, }
January II, 1865, 10p m.
The rebel flag Of Fort Fisher was delivered
to me on board the steamer Spalding, off that
place, yesterday morning. January 49, by Maj
General Terry. An ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and
thanks for their gallant achievement was given
ia your name to Admiral Porter and General
Terry, from whom the following particulars
were obtained:
The troops arrived off Fort Fisher Thursday
night Friday they were all landed, under
cover Of heavy fire from the squadron. A
reconnaissance was made by General Terry on
Saturday.
A strong defensive line against any enemy's
forces coming from Wilmington was estab-
lished on Saturday, and held by 1900 men,
chiefly colored troops, and an assault was de-
termined upon. The assault was made on
Sunday afternoon, at half.rast three O'Clock.
The sea front of the fort had beea greatly dam
aged and broken by a continuous and terrible
fire Of the fleet for three days, and the front
was assaulted at the hour mentioned by col
umn OF seamen and marines 1,SG0 strong, under
command of Capt. Breese. They reached the
parapet, but after q short conflict this column
was checked, driven back in disorder, and was
afterwards placed on tie defensive line, taking
the place of a brigade that was brought up to
reinforce the assaulting column of troops.
Although the assault on the sea front failed,
it performed very useful part in diverting
the attention of the enemy and weakening
their resistance to the attack by the troops on
the other side. The assault on the other and
most difficult side Of the fort was made by q
column of 1900 troops of the old 10th corps,
led by Col. Curtis, under the immediate super
vision of ZEN. Terry.
The enemy's force in the tort was over 2,2OO.
The conflict lasted for seven hours. The works
were SO constructed that every traverse af-
torded the enemy a new defensive position,
from whence they had to be driven. They
were seven in number, and the fight was car
ried on, from traverse to traverse, for seven
hours.
By skilfulIv directed fire thrown into the
traverses, one after another they were occupied
by the enemy, Admiral Porter contributed to
the success Of the assaulting column. BY sig
mails between himself and General Terry at
brief intervals, this fire was so we'll managed
as to damage the enemy without injury to our
own troops.
About ten O'Clock at night the enemy were
entirely driven from the fort, forced down to-
wards Federal Point, followed by brigade OF
our troops, and about twelve O'Clock at night
General Whiting surrendered himself and his
command 10 General Terry, Internationally,
as prisoners Of war, numbering over eighteen
hundred, the remainder of his force being killed
and wounded.
Our loss was not accurately ascertained on
Monday afternoon, but was estimated at be-
tween 700 and 500 in killed and wounded, be-
sides the naval loss, which was slight not ex-
ceeding 100 in killed and wounded. Not q ship
nor transport was lost.
Colonel Curtis was severely but not morally
wounded. Colonel Bell died Of his wounds
Monday morning. Colonel j. W. Moore and
Lieutenant Colonel Lyman were killed. Col
Pennypacker was badly wounded; also, Lieut..
Colonel Coan. A complete list OF the killed and
wounded will be forwarded as soon as it can
be prepared.
General Terry reported to Surgeon General
Barnes that he had ample provisions Of sur
geons. nurses and hospital supplies for the
wounded. They will be sent North to their
States
on transports, Of which there was an ample
supply.
On Monday morning, between six and seven
o'clock, the magazine Of Fort Fisher exploded,
killing and wonnding two or three hu 1dred
persons. After the capture OF the fort, all the
troops were Withdrawn, except one brigade
left in charge OF the works. How the explosion
occurred was not known, but General Terry
believed that 1t was occasioned by accident or
negligence
General Hokes division, reported as five
thousand, was at Wilmington. A portion OF it
was thrown into the fort not long before the
assault, and while tn was going on a Demon
stration was made by General Hoke against
our defensive line, but it was found too strong
for anything more than skrmishing attack.
About eleven o'clock Monday morning a
heavy cloud of smoke was observed over Fort
Smith, on the south side Of New Inlet. The
naval Off Ger commanding that station reported
that the enemy had fired their barracks and
evacuated that fort.
You will be pleased to know that perfect
harmony and concert Of action existed between
the land and naval forces and their respective
commanders. Admiral Porter and General
Terry We'd in their commendation OF each other.
Each seemed more anxious to do justice to the
other than to claim anything for himself, and
they united in the highest commendation Of the
naval and military officers and the forces en-
gagged. To this harmony OF feeling and the
confident spirit inspired, may perhaps be
attributed in some degree the success of our
attack with nearly equal numbers against
resolHte enemy, in work unsurpassed il ever
He'd tn1 orol
Beauregard few days before pronounced i'm
pregnable.
The armament OF the fort was seventy-two
guns, some OF large calibre and rif1ed, and one
Armstrong gun. The troops in the fort hat
rations for sixteen days. Their loss in killed
and wounded was between four and five hun
dred. General Whiting had three wounds in
the thigh. Colonel Lamb, also, who had gone
in 10 the fort with reinforcements and to relieve
General Whiting on Sunday, is wounded
On Monday every thing was quiet as Sab
wounded collected and placed in transports
and field hospitals.
General Sherman renewed the movement Of
lis forces from Savannah last week. The 18th
and 18th corps went in transports to Beaufort,
Saturday, January "a. The 18th CORPS under
Major General Blair, crossed Port Royal ferry,
and. with portion OF Gen. Fosters command,
moved on Pocetaligo.
General Howard, commanding that wing OF
the army, reported on Sunday, that 'the enemy
abandoned his strong works IN our front during
ShIuTudy
"General Blair's corps now occupy a strong
position across the railroad, and covering ali
the approaches eastward to Pocotaligo."
All the sick of General Sherman's army are
in good hospitals at Beaufort and Hilton Head,
where the genial climate affords advantages
for recovery superior to any other place.
The peace and order prevailing at Savannah
since its occupation by General Sherman's
army could not be surpassed. Few male in
habitants are to be seen on the streets. Ladies
and children evince sense of security. No
instance of disorder or personal injury, Or in
suit has occurred. Laboring men and mechan.
les, white and black, are seeking employment.
The troops are cheerful and respectful to wards
every one, and seem to feel themselves much
at home and on good behavior, as if in their
native towns. Trade is restricted for the pres
ent TO actual military necessity.
Many ships with merchandise from the
North are waiting at Hilton Head for permis
sion 10 60 to Savannah, but General Sherman
has admitted only q limited quantity OF sup
plies required by his troops A mistake pre-.
walls at the North as to the present inducement
for commerce at Savannah. There is not yet
any large population to be supplied; no credit
or money; no commodities of exchange, and
there can be no great amount tor considera.
BILE period. All the cotton and products now
,n;.h;n Ca vaupah belong to the Government aS