The New York herald., 1865-02-28
WHINING
Our Special Detailed Report Of the
Occupation Of the City.
The "OId Tenth Army Corps" the
First to Enter the City.
--~~.-~--.>~--~~~~~-~~-
The Advent Of the Army Hailed
by the Citizens with Every
Demonstration Of Joy.
Men, Women and Children Unite In
Welcoming Their DeliVerers.
->>-
Significant Evidences Of a
Strong Union Sentiment.
.~~.>~~Y~>~>~~~~>>>
Five Thousand Bales or Cotton
I'm the City.
Five Thousand Bales OF Cotton
i'm the City.
Capture of Locomotives and Other
Railroad Property,
&c.. &c.. 60.
;. James @. Fitzpatrick's Despatch.

&C., &c., 60.
MIR. James @. Fitzpatrick Despatch.
WILMINGTON, N. G., Feb. 20, 1856.
The lapse of nearly two months from the commence
ment OF operations against Wilmington finds the Union
forces In victorious possession OF the city The ami
vcrsary Of the birthday Of Washington, by singular
coincidence, is the dato Of our triumph.
THE APPROACH TIE CITY
was as indicated In previous letters, made In two
cownns-one operating the left bank Of the river
under General Terry tho other the right bank under
General Cox General Cox, after the capture OF Fort
Anderson, followed tho retreating enemy across the
various tributaries of the Cape Fear flowing from the
westward until last evening his painting troops came In
sight of tho city from Eagle Island General Case
ments brigade the advance, supported by those
Of Coonols sterl, Moore, and Henderson. Continued
diminishing took place during the pursuit. resulting in
a loss of fifty men our side. No opportunity
was afforded to the enemy 10 mako stand, our troops
charging and routing them whenever they exhibited
any intention of doing Last night Colonel Moores
brigade struck and occupied tho railroad running from
Wilmington to Charleston, whilc General Easement
pushed his pickets down to the river bank Immediately
opposite the city. The operations OF General Coxs
column we're attended with the utmost difficulty, his line
of march lying through low mafshy section where the
inhabitants had extensive rice plantations The cross
inc of Brunswick river was effected In natboats which
wore found in the vicinity.
General Tcrry's column on the loft bank noby at
work In conjunction with General Cox. larger force
Of the enemy was his front ntrenchcd behind strong
works but the steady valor Of Ames and Payncs dvi
sions prevailed over the demorazed command of Hoke
One strong line Of brcastwsrs abandoned at day
light this morning much TO the surprise Of every one
who has inspected It, The retreat Of the rebels from
this line gave possession of Fort st. Philip on the
river which commanded the channel at extremity Of
the distractions
Their next iine the edge Of ellipcally shaped
pond, two miles from the city, abandoned almost
without shot With its occupation there fell into our
hands number Of pieces OF hoavy artillery siege guns,
which, in the hurry following the troops into the city
I did not wait TO count These with those previously
captured and with tho armament OF the forts the
river swell list OF prize guns TO several hundred
TIE EVACUATION OF THB CITY,
During this time we but pressing the guard
OF the enemy which had been e oppose advance
as long possible, while the stores Of ammunition
and subsistence could DO removed from the city.
From the statements Of the people in town we
afterwards learned that the evacuation began
last night The citizens were prepared for IL several
days ago. and the storekeepers with that instructive
knowledge peculiar TO speculative pursuits positively re-
fused late week ago to receive rebel money In ex
change for their goods During the three days by
the closed and 1t with the utmost diff
Guilty the people supplied their tables with the ordinary
nccessares of f such tho anxiety 70 retain every
thing which could benefit the possessor upon the advent
OF the Union forces Very few Of the those
only the wealthy aud incorgbly rebellous- went away
with Bragg's troops Much indignation excited
against this latter dgnary when last evening he opened
OF the wharves thereby invoking sheing OF the city in
reply by our artillery. Betted Bragg 10 with
hardly excel the wmingonians in reproval Of his
career and conduct commander OF the forces in the
| vicinity Of this city
TIs SURRENDER or THE CITY.
With the dawn OF day this morning the pckets OF Gen.
Easement observed innumerablc white flags articles
intended such, waving along the wharves OF
| Wilmington Conjecurng Alright that these were peace
tokens Of the people in the absence OF the
rebels, the pckes hunted up and down the shore for
sks and boats and in these and on RATS hastily con-
structcd the skrmshcrs OF General Easement
the river almost before their commanding officers
Of the good news Of the evacuation q the
city The main body OF General Cox's column was un-
abis TO get over Immediately owing the OF
poration, otherwise II would have been doubtful which
general OF the parallel columns would have had the honor
AS il was the troops Of General Terry pushed into
town about nine O'Clock, and with that discipline which
characterzcs their organization waited not to
loer about soldiers won't to do when they entcr
the limits OF towns generally, but pushed on after the
rs,aaing ioeons regiment % y the one nuroa ana
until other dispositions migA be made by General Scho.
| field
pressed his willingness 10 surrender the city, and place u
under the protection Of the Union troops Major Terry
s ne Se 70 nm asn sv 1sr
render Of Wilmington from IT'S chief exeosnve his Honor
THs Eso1uor or TIE noors
We're tho city Of Wilmington located north Of Mason
and Dixon ne with the present 22d day Of February
IN Of 1 oss 70 hs ans wss
and inspiration TO the most enthusiastic patriotism
the advent Of ouremy could hardly have called forth
| more vehement popular demonstrations Flags stained
with age In the hiding places 70 whcn they had been
consigned during the thradom Of rebellion brought
forth TO kiss again the bright sunlight and 10
welcome 10 their redcemers White hands uttered less
white kerchiefs from piazza porch and window ~
the stream o glsenne bayonets and travel stained blue
uniforms poured through the streets Of Wilmington II
well repaid the bloody charge Fisher and obhevnted
the memory Of the rcpulsc Of Chrisimas
Uror SENTIMENT
As traversed street after street looked almost IN
vain for those grim unwcooming faces which have too
often witnessed in the conquefed cities OF the confedcs
cy. almost In vain, for in few places noticed tne
scowling lip and ns reouse which, under circumstance
like the present broadly mark the rcbelous citizens
The fair unanimous In their expressions Vi
amIty and me4 US with beaming eye and dmped caeex *
irreprcsble evidences Of the JOY which ney ,e y 'no
return Of loyal authority The sure y y he Union sen
mcnt Of the localities which the vaoT OF ou. s s
given over into our posass,en Ssre has ' soo often
oaysa Ua,Cai''' us false in his representations and
manifestations Of loyalty with The occupation q their
aiv numbers Of people the South, previously the most
srrsns traitors have whningy proessod their devotion
70 The government But in Wilmington there s NOT the
ioast sbsdow OF doubt 10 the loyalty Of It's citizens
omr sodcrs filled with the experience OF the past and
coming with minds prejudced a. TO the sincerity Of
such sentiments thoroughly relieved oi all scepticsm
IN The present case II Is Of the happest facts which
n has been my duty record during the progress Of the
| rebellion and l trust II IL but the precursor Of
smiar feeding throughout the whole Of iDsurrection
have been emphatic In dwelling upon THIS phase OF the
capture OF Wilmington, because II Is as novel as II Ia
| significant
| WILMINGTON ~ 1T r.
wilmington shows signs Of tho war The houses orc
dapdated the wharves though recently receiving the
shipping Of extensive blockade running trade sad
y out OF repair and general nothing TO do air peryade