Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-01-20

Fort Fisher was carried by assault this after
noon and evening by Gen. Ames' division,
DIST division Of the Gath army corps gallant
ly aided by battalion OF marines and sea-
men from the navy. The assault was prece-
ded by heavy bombsrdment from the Fed
era feet and was made at $50 p. NJ. when
the fr, brigade (Curiis) Of Ames division,
affected Judgment on the parapct, but full
possession Of the work was not blamed till
10 NJ. The behavior Of both officers and
men was most admirable
The works south of Fort Fisher are now
occupied by our troops. We have not less
than 1900 prisoners, including Gen. Whiting
and Col. amb, the Commanders Of the Fort.
regret to say that our loss is severe, espec-
ally in officers. ! am not yet able to form
any estimate OF the number Of casualties.
(oigned) ALFRED II. TERRY,
Brevet Mel Gen. ,md'g.
PoRrFsHER, jim l6-sAM
After careful reconnaissance on the l4th
it was decided to risk an assault on Fort
Fisher. Paiue's division with Col. Abbotts
brigade to hold our line, already strong across
the Peninsula, and facing Wilmington against
Hoke, while Ames' division should assault
the west end. After three hours Of heavy
firing the assault was made at three y. m. on
the 18th, Curtis brigade led and as soon as
it arrived on the west end OF the land front
it was followed by Penny hackers and the
hitter by Belle. After desperate fighting
gaining foot by foot. and severe loss, at FIVE
p m. we had possession Of about one-haf
the land front. Abbotts brigade was then
taken from our line facing Wilmington, and
putt into Fort Fisher and pushing it up at ten
o'clock p. m. it took the rest Of the work
with little resistance. The garrison falling
back to the extreme Of the peninsula, when
they were foil wed and captured among others
Gen. w hitting and Col Lamb. both wounded
think we have quite 1000 prisoners.
hope our losses may not exceed 500 but it is
almost impossible to judge in the night.
Among the wounded are the commanders
! of three Of the leading brigedes, General
/ Curtis being wounded, not severely, but
Gene. Penny hacker aud Bell very dangerous
/ w. The land front was formidable one
/ The parapet in places fourteen or fifteen feet
high but the men went Al il nobly under a
severe muskery FIRE.
NJ uines and sailors went up gallantly, bu,
the musketry ire from the east end Of the
succeed in entering the works The navy fire
on the works, judging from the holes made
must have been terrific Many of the guns
we're injured. How many there were on the
point cannot say, perhaps 80 or 40.
(Signed) c.. b. CoMsrooK,
lat. Col. A. d. C. and Chief Engineer
Another dispatch estimates the number oil
prisoners captured at $500, and the number
Of guns at 70.
Gen. Grant telegrspbs to this department
that in honor Of this great triumph by the
united valor Of the army and navy, he mas or
dered a salute of 100 guns to be fred by eact
Of the armies operating against Richmond.
(Signed) C. A. DANA,
Asst Sec'y OF War.
BALTIMORE, Jan. II.
The correspondent of the Baltimore A
merican says
Before the commencement Of active opera
tions this morning, the following order from
Admiral Porter was read on the quarter decl
of the Santiago de Cuba by Lieut. Farquuhar
Executive Officer of the Flagship Malvern
JANUARY A.
Before going into action the commander O
each vessel will detail as many of the men a
be can spare from the guns as a landing par
ty that we may have share in the assault
when it takes place. Boats will be kept read
lowered near the water on the off 81 70 Of h
vessels. The sailors will be armed with cut
lasses well sharpened and with ievolvers.-
When the signal is made to man the boats
: the men will get in but not show themselves
When the signal is made to assault, the boat
will pull round the stern of the monitors an
! land right abreast of them, and board ID
fort on the river side in a sesmaulike way. =
The marines will form in rear and cover III
sailors. Whilst the soldiers are going owe
the parapet in trent toe sailors will take th
sea face of Fort Fisher. We can land 200
: men from the feet aud not feel it 1000 a,
u tive men from the feet will carry the day
l. Two boat steerers will be kept in each boat.
DAVID d. PORTER, Rear Admiral.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, jan. IL, P. M.
y 10 MAJ. Gen. Dir, N. y
The Richmond Wing of this morning cor
tains the following account Of the capture
II FORT Fisher by the naval aud land forces
: the United States;
: The uniform news of the fall Of Fort Fisl
=. er, which commanded be entrance to Car
y Fear river, was received this morning, an
. occasioned sensation Of profound regret
The capture OF this fort is equivalent 70 Il
closing of the hafbor of Whining on by Il
enemy's feet. II is situated about eightet
miles below the city but was the main d
fence Of the entrance TO the river, and i
u fall, therefore, will prevent in future the a
~ rival and departure of blockade runners
A How far this river may prove injurious
:. our cause remains to be seen, but at preset
we regard it rather an unfortunate than di
:. astrous event, The following is the offici
:. report
!. Headquarters Northern Virginia, Jan. /
y, TO Hon. j. A. Seldom Gen. Bragg repor
! that the enemy bombarded Fort Fisher faI
=, ously all yesterday. At four p. m. their i
- tsntry advanced to the assault, heavy
monstrsIion at the same hour being made
80 gsinst their rear by our troops. At half-pa
four p. IN. Gen. Whiting reports that tbs
!, attack had failed. and the garrison was bel
"a strengthened with fresh troops. At aOo
=, ten p. m. the fort was captured with most
!. the garrison. No further particulars at II
!. time known.
~ r. x. LIE.
No dispatches have been received irc