The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-01-31
THE FALL OF PORT FISHER.
From the Raleigh Confederate.

We have received the following account, from
the lips of gentleman who, we are sure, is as ac-
cnrately informed concerning the late engagement
between our forces and the enemy, al Fort Fisher,
as any ono.
The movement of the enemy was sudden as we
all know. After the previous failure, it was not
anticipated that so quick repetition of the effort
would be made. General Hoke had been with
drawn towards Wilmington, or above it. On Sat-
urday, Mr. McMillan-as our informant heard
discovered from near Topsail Sound, rhc approach
of the enemy, and sought to communicate by tele-
graph to General Bragg, the fact; but the operator
was not in a coEdtion to send the dispatch and it
became necessary to transmit the news by mes
senger. To two hours after the intelligence was
received, Gen Hoke was on the march to confront
the enemy at his point of landing. On Friday,
the enemy landed under of his feet, near
Battery Gatlin, about nine miles from Fort FISHER.
While he was landing Gen. Hoke appeared, and
drew up In line parallel, to watch bis movements,
and intercept them when possible to do so. 1t
was not possible to prevent the landing, owing to
tile situation Of the point chosen. The enemy
| landed On the banks, just above the neck of the
Sound, thus interposing a small surface of water
between them and an attacking force; compel-
ing such force to circle around the lower extreme
Of the Sound; ;--either of which movements would
have to be done under the fire of the whole feet
When Gen. Hoke found this to be the situation,
he established line facing the sea- and threw out
what cavalry he required, (if he had it) on his
right flank, towards Battery Anderson, which was
down the beach, towards Fort Fisher-about four
miles. The intervening country here is broken;
and the low places grown up with thick bushes,
and are marshy. The purpose of :his cavalry was
to observe the movements, and give the signal OF
the first advance of the enemy towards establish
ing line across the neck of land to the river, it
ho;n fho r1a md IF Ean 70 hoyn
Gen. Hoke attack him as he advanced In
this condition matters rested until Friday night.
During the night, the enemy, passing between the
cavalry and threading their way through the thick
marshy undergrowth made their way to the river,
and on Saturday morning. Gen. Hoke found an
ntrenched line his ri ght flank, extending across
the pcnnsular, from the to, near to, the
river. He succeeded, however, in maintaining his
base at Sugar Loaf immediately changed his line,
and informed Gen. Bragg of the status. Then
Gen. Bragg gave the order to charge the enemy
n their works. To the meantime, Cen Hoke had
made close reconnaissance, under the fire of the
enemy, and discovered the strength Of their force
and position. On receiving the order to charge,
he communicated the result Of his observations,
and asked Gen. Bragg to reconnoitre in person,
which he did; and both these officers cOncurred
that it was not proper to assault the lines 1t was
then determined to reinforce the Fort; and steps
%
We can see, unblamabe miscarriage, ought to have
succeeded failed to great extent. BY this time,
the enemy, four thousand strong, were secure be-
hind their works; and the fleet proceeded to bom-
bard Fort Fisher, which was done uninterruptedly
until Sunday, about six p. m.
On Sunday, the column Of assault numbering
about four thousand moved from the enemy s lines,
and as they advanced, they were plainly visible
from Fort Fisher But her beleaguered garrison
was kept close confined within the bomb proofs,
by the concentrated and continued fire of seven
hundred guns, pouring torrents of shell and other
missiles on every spot On the Landslide Of Fort
Fisher, We had seventeen gurs-suficent, could
they have been used, to make it impossible that
any force could have advanced under their fire
But, as the line of assailants got nearer to the
Fort, the whole feet concentrated the FIRE, n
rchochet shot, on the land side, and speedily dis
mounted every gun; and this uDintermittent '.feu 1
Penfer"-or in plain English-heN fre-was kept
up until the enemys line was in sixty yards of the
works Then it ceased, and with rush and yell
the charge made Capt. Brady, it is said,
commanded the company guarding the saly-port
On hiE the hope of the garrison hung, to keep the
assailants out until the and officers, Yho bad
been packed in the bomb proofs for 6fty-six hours
could get out and make ready. Instead Of making
defence this officer and his command, it is said
surrendered and tho enemy entered the open gate.
Our men were benumbed and exhausted, and the
thing was the work Of q moment. They were OBJ
liged to fall back in order to rally Col Lamb,
with that cool precision which distinguishes him
as an officer of great merit, brought his men into
line near Head Quarters, Gen. Whiting being pre-
sent, encouraging and cheering on the troops, and
creating enthusiasm by his ardent and whole-souled
heroism Under these inspiring influences, our
men were brought to the charge The numbers
we're against them in the proportion of four thou
sand aided by two thousand marines, to two thou
sand, bat they forced the enemy back to the
mound, and hand to hand fight, Of unnitigated
desperation and fury, epsued, continuing from
seven to about ten o'clock, when bravery, endu-
rance and devotion failed to overcome numbers.-
Our men we're overpowered, and the work of as
sanlt was accomplished. But not until the enemy
had paid dearly for his prize. He had not lost
man until be entered the fort. He lost two thou
sand out of the six thousand that entered its pre-
cincts-we Eve hundred. OF the courage of our
officers and men on this occasion future tongues
will speak.
Foremost in that little band Of noble heroes,
Whiting was everywhere where peril was most be-
setting His voice cheercd-his spirit animated
his arm struck down the foenan's flag. He put
his life in the hollow Of his haod, and held it out
a free Offering TO his country. And, he did this
SO gloriously, that whoever thinks of him in con-
necton with this furious struggle. will yield to the
qualification of being absorbed in contemplation OF
splendid courage, aud will forget all else
We are glad to learn that be is but slightly
wounded, though in several places; aud We mourn