American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-01-25


than itself.
therefore ordered that no assault
should be made, and that the troops
should re-embark. While superintend-
ing the preparations of this, the firing
of the navy ceased. Instantly the guns
of the fort were fully manned, and a
sharp fire of musketry, grape, an canis-
ter swept the place over which the col
umn must have advanced, and the skir-
mish line was returning. Working with
what diligence we could, it was impossi-
BILE to get the troops aboard before the
sea ran so high as to render further en-
barkation or even the sending of supplies
ashore impossible. I lay by the shore
until IL o'clock the next day, Monday,
the 26th, when having made all proper
dispositions for getting the troops on
board, I gave orders to the transport
feet, as fast as they were ready, to sail
for Fortress Monroe, in obedience to my
instructions from the Leutenant-Gener
al
learned from deserters and prisoners
captured that the supposition on which
the Lieut. General directed the expedi-
ton, that Wilmington had been denuded
of troops to oppose Gen. Sherman, was
correct; that at the time when the Army
rived off Wilmington there was less
than 400 men in the garrison of Fort
Fisher, and less than 1000 within 20
miles; but the delay of three days of
good weather, the 9th, 18th and 18th,
waiting for the ariva of the navy, and
the further delay from the terrible storm
of the 2lst, 22d and 23d, gave time for
the troops to be brought from Richmond,
three divisions of which were either there
on on the road
The instructions of the Lieut. General
to me did not contemplate siege. l
had neither siege trains nor supplies for
such a contingency. The exigency of
possible delay for which the foresight of
the commander of the Armies had proyi-
ded. had arisen, to wit /: the large re-en-
forcements of the garrison, with the fact
that the Navy had exhausted their sup
plv of ammunition in the bombardment,
left me no alternative but to return with
my Army to the Army of the james.
The loss on Friday, Saturday, and Sun
day, the 10Th, 18th, and 18th of Decem-
Der, was the immediate cause Of the fail
ure of the expedition. 1t is not my
province even to suggest b.amc to the
navy for their delay of four days at
Beaufort. ! know none of the reasons
which do or do not justify it. 1t is to be
presumed they are sufficient.
! am happy to bring to the attention OF
the Lieut.. General the excellent behavior
of the troops, officers and men, which
was all that could be desired. am under
especial obligations to Capt. Glesson OF
the Santiago de Cuba for the able and
effectual manner in which he covered our
J lacding; to Capt. Alden Of the Brooklyn,
for his prompt assistance and the excel
lent gunnery with which the Brooklyn
cleared the shores of all opposors. At
the momentof debarkation, Lieut. Farqu-
har of the Navy, having in charge the
Navy boat which assisted in the landing
deserves great credit for the energy and
skill with which he managed the boats
through the rolling surf Especial com.
mendation is due to Brig Gen. Graham
and the officers and men of his Nava
Brigade, for the organization of his boats
: and crews for landing, and the untiring
| energy and industry with which they al
: labored in re-embarking the troops du
| ring the stormy night of the 7th and the
; day following For this and other meri
, torious service during the campaign since
: the 1st of May, which have heretofore
, been DFUuGuJ W tiiC uptINS VI thO LiSu
tenant General in my official reports,
would respectfully but earnestly recon
/. mend Gen. Graham for promotion.
: The number of prisoners captured b.
2 us was 800. including II officers; also,
] heavy rifed-guns, 2 light guns and
$ caissons. The loss of the Army was
e man drowned, men killed, officer cap
= turei who accidentally wandered thro
{ our piekets) and ? more wounded, Will
upon the picket-line, by the shells of tn
0 Navy.
: Always chary of mentioning will
i commentator the acts of my persona
b staff. yet | think The troops who saw
IS will agree to the cool courage and darini
h of Lieut. Sidney B. DeKay, A. d. G., il
) landing on the night of the 18th. and re
1t naming and aiding in the re-embarka
n ton on the 9th. For the details of tn
v landing and the operations, | beg leave
J.. .oeor Won IN the renort of Mai Ger