Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-01-28


that we may have share In the assault when 1t
takes place. Boats will be kept ready, lowered
pear the water, on the of side Of the vessels The
sailors viii be armed with cutlasses, well sharpen
ed, and with reviewers. 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 boats will pull around the stern or the monit
ors and land abreast Of them and be ready to as
sault the fort the nv er In q seaman-like way.
The marines Will form in the rear and cover the
in front. Sailors Will take the sea-faee Of Fort
Fisher. We can land 900 men from the Feet ard
not feelis and 1900 setve men from the feet will
cd. D. PORTER, Admiral"
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WAsHrsGToS, Jan. lip. ID. !
The following oHicisl dispatches have JUST been
received at this department;
HrApouAnrERs .. 8. FsRs1s, D.
On Federal Point, N. G., Jan. 18th,
via Fort Monroe, Jan. 18th.
To 5rio. zen. J. Il. Rawlings.
GENERAL: have the honor to report that Fort
Fisher carried By assault this p. NJ. and even
ing by Gen. Ames' division, with the I'd brigade of
the LIST division and the Cd brigade of the LIST d.
vision OF the Gath army corps, calamity aided BY
battalion OF marines and ssamsn from the navy.
The assault was preceded by heavy lombard
ment from the feet and made at $50 p. M,
whom the first brigade (curtis) of Ames' Division,
effected lodgmsnt upon the parspet, but full pos
session Of the work was not obtained until 10 IN.
The behavior Of both officers and men was most
admirable. ALI the works south Of Fort Fisher are
now occupied by our troops. We have not less
than 200 prisoners, including Gen. whiting and
Col. Lamb, the commander Of the fort.
Iregrst toaay that our loss is severe, especially
in officers. am not yet able TO form an estimate
of the number Of casualties.
ALFRED II. TERRY,
Breve. Mai. Gen Commanding Expedition.
FORT FISHER, Jan. 1872 A. NJ.
After careful reconnaissance on the 14th, it
was decided to risk assault Fort Fisher
Paine's division, with Col. Abbot's brigade, to
hold line, already strong, across the peninsula
facing Wi lmington, against Hoke, while Ames'
division should assault on the west end.
After three hours heavy navy firing, the assault
was made at p. III on the 18th. Curtis brigade
led, and as soon as 1t was en- the west end of the
land front, it was follow d by Pennebscker's. and
the latter by Bells. After desperate fighting,
gaining foot by foot, and severe loss, at p. NJ.
had possession OF about half the land front. Alb
bots brigade was then taken from our line facing
Wilmington and put into Fort Fisher, and on push
ing it forward at 10 Up. NJ, il took the rest of the
work with but little resistance, the garrison falling
back to the extreme of the peninsula, where they
were followed and captured. Among other prison
ers are Gen. " hitting and Col. Lamb, wounded.
think we have 900 prisoners.
hope our own loss may not exceed 500, but it
is impossible to judge in the night. Among the
wounded are the commanders of the three leading
brigades, Gen. Curtis being unded, not severely
but Colonies Pennebacker and Bell dangerously.
The land front was q formidable one, the para
pat in places being Il or Is feet high, but the
men went at it nobly under a severe musketry fire
The marines and sailors went up CALAMITY, but
the musket fire from the east end of the Ian front
was that they did not succeed in entering
the works.
The navy fire the work, judging from the
holes, must have been terrific.
Many of the guns were injured. How many there
were on the point cannot tell, perhaps 80 or 40.
Signed, G. B. CoMsrocK,
Lit. Col, A. D. O. and Chi Eng'r.
Another dispatch estimates the number of prs-
oners captured at 500, and number ofguns at ~.
Gen. Grant telegraphed to this Department that
in honor of this great triumph, achieved by the
united yalor of the army and navy, he has ordered
a salute of 100 guns to be hred by each of the
mics operating against Richmond.
(Sigued) q. A. DANA, Asst Sec. Of War.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17-9P.M
To AaJor-Gen. DiS:
The Richmond Wing of this morning contains
the following account of the capture Fort Fish
by the naval and land forces of the United
States
"The unwelcoms news of the fall of Fort Fisher,
commanding the entrance TO Cape Fear River. was
received this morning, and occasoned sensation of
profound regret. The capture Of this Fort is equal
to che closing Of the hsrbor of Wilmington by the
enemy's feet. It is situated about Is miles below
the city, but the main defence to the entrance
to the river. It's fall will prevent in future the
rival and departure of blockade runners. How far
this reverse may prove injurious to our cause re-
mains to be seen, but at present regard it rather
unfortunate than a disastrous event. The
following is the official report:''
HEADQUARTERS, Jan. 16.
To Hon J. A. SeddOn:
Gen. Bragg reports that the enemy bombarded
Fort Fisher furiously all day yesterday.
At 4 p. M. their infantry advanced to the as
sault, heavy demonstration at the same hour be-
ing made against their rear by our troops.
At 6L p. NJ Gen. Whiting reported that their
attack had failed, and the garrison was being
strengthened with fresh troops.
At about 10P. NJ the fort was captured, with
most of the garrison.
No further particulars at this time are known.
(Signed) r. L. LEE
No dispatches have been received from General
Terry since that Of Saturday, announcing the re-
suit of the assault.
(signed) q. A. DANA,
Asst Secretary Of War.