Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1865-02-02

We out the following account of circumstances con-
nected with the fa OF Fort Fisher from the Raleigt
Confederate 1t gives some new points and may ter'
to remove false Impressions and correct Injustice
THE FrLl. OF FORT FISHER.
We have received the following account, from tn
Ips OF q gentleman who, sure, is accurately
informed concerning the late engagement between ou
forces and the enemy, at Fort Fisher, as any one.
The movement of the enemy was sudden, as we al
know. Alter the previous failure, it was not antcl-
pated that quick repetition of the effort would oe
made Gen. HOke had been Withdrawn towards Will
niugton, or above it. On Thursday, Mr.. Nd Mlllar
informant heard-olscoVered from near Top
sail Sound the reach of the enemy and sought tC
communicate BY e eggaph to Gen. Bragg the fact; but
the operator was n condition to eead the despatch
and II became necessary to transmit the news by
messenger. In two hours after the intelligence was re
ceiyed Gen. H0ke was On the march to confront the
enemy at bis point Of landing On Friday, the enemy
landed under cover OF his feet near Battery Gatlin
about niue miles from Fort Fisher While he was
landing, Gen. Hoke appeared, and drew up in line
parallel to watch his movements, and intercept them
when possible to do 1t not possible to prevent
the landing owing TO the situation of the point chosen
The enemy landed the banks just above the neck oil
the Sound thus interpreting small surface of water be
tween them and attacking force or compelling euch
force to circle around the lower 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, be
established line facing the sea. and threw out what
cavalry be required, lit he had it, his right flank to-
wards Battery Andersen, which was down the beach
towards Fort Fisher about four miles The interve-
ming country here is broken aud the low places are
grown up with thick bushes, and are marshy The
purpose of this cavalry was to observe the movements
and give the signal OF the frat advance Of the enemy
towards establishing line the neck of land to
the river, it being tie order aud purpose Of General
Bragg to &c uOke attack him as soon az he ad-
vanced In this Condition matters rested until Friday
night. During the night, the enemy, passing between
the cavalry aid threading their way through thu thick
arshY undergro1 nth, made their way to the river, AID
on Saturday morning, Gen. HOke found intrenched
line bis right flank, extending the peninsula,
from the TO, TO, the river. He succeeded
however, maintaining his base at Sugar Loaf imme-
diately changed his line, and informed Gen. Bragg OF
the Then Gen Bragg gave the order to charge
the enemy n their works. Ia The meantime, General
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
Gen. Bagg to reconnoitre IN peorsOn, which he did
and both these officers COnurred that 1t not proper
to assault the lnes 1t then determined to raiu-
force the FORT and steps were taken which, but for
natural, but as far see, uabiamabIe miscar-
riage, ought TO have succeeded failed to great extent
BY this time, the enemy, four thousand strong were
secure behind their WOrBS and the let proceeded to
lombard Fort Fisher which was done unip lerrupedy
Hnti Sunday, about six, p. N.
On Sunday, the column Ct assault, numbering abouI
Tour thousand, moved from the eucmys lines, aud as
they yancej, theV were plainly visible from Fort
Fisher. But her ieaguer3d garrison was kept closely
ooDfued within the bomb proofs, by the concentrated
and continued fire OF hund, guns pouring tor
rents OF she'll and missiles On every spot Ga the land
aide OF Fort Fisher, had seventeen gurs--suicent
could tLey have been used to make it impossible that
any force could have adVaac9d under their fire. Bat
as The line OF Atlantis got nearer to the Fort the
WJh0 flzf R0TR. lTsat-
the land side, and speedily dtsmounted every gun and
this unintermiten teu denfer Or in plain English
-hM fs-Hus KEEPS up untll the enemy's line was in
sixty yards Cl the works. Then il ceased, and with
rash and yell tho charge was made. Capt. Brady it
is SAID comma dtd tie company guarding the sally
port. On him the hope OF the gaErs hung, to keep
the assallanfs OUT until the AID Cft@rs, who had
been packed in the bono proofs for fftysix hours
could get out and make ready 1asead of making de-
fence, tuis Otcer aud his command it s said surrender
ed and The enemy entered the open gaze Oar men
were benumOed and exhausted and the thing was the
work OF moment. They were obliged to fail back in
order to rally Col. Lamb, with that cool precision
which distinguishes him officer of greLt merit
brought bis Han into De Head Quarters General
Whiting being present, encouraging and cheering on
the troops, and creating enthusiasm by his ardent aad
whole sOnied herOism Under these inspiring inhuen-
oes, our men were ought TO the charge. The num-
bers were against item Ia the proportion of four thou
sand aided by two Thousand riues, to two thousand
but they forced the euemy back to the mound and
hand TO and h Of unmiigaed desperation and fury
ensued, continuing ironr seven TO ABOUT ten o'clock
when bravery, endurance aud devotion failed to over
come numbers. Oar Men were OVerpowered and the !
work OF assault was accomplished But not until the
enemy had paid dearly tJr his prize. He had not lost
uuul DC entered the tort. h lost two thousand
out ot the Thousand that cred its prccincts-we
i've hundred. OF the courage Of ofcers and men
on this occasion iuiure tongues will speak.
Foremost in that little band of noble hero Whiting
was everywhere where pgril most besetting III is
voice cheered-his spirit anmated-his arm struck
down the foeman's flag. He put his life in the hollow
Of his hand, and held ii free oaring to his oo
try And he did this gloriOusy, that whoever thinks
Of him in connection VITA this furious struggle, will
yield TO the qualification OF being absorbed in contem
Platiou of splendid courage and will forget all else
We glad TO learn that he is but slightly wound
ed, though in several places; we mourn the fact
that that faithful and officer, Colonel Lamb is so
severely injured. That he may be spared and blessed
with speedy recovery, ca3at TO be the prayer OF all
oar people.
II there be any 1t in this matter, We leave others
tc hnd it. HoEeV>r great our oss and sad our dis.
appointment, feel only like reechong the just senti-
n0snt of the COnseVltius- All honor to the noble de-
lenders of Fort Fisher if they did not overcome fright
ful edd5, which mortas could not do"
Resolution Ist Be by the legislature Of the
State CT Texas That neither the above proposition
made to the people This by the United States or
other for eXn people, the Government Confed