The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-01-19


| Federal Loss between 700 and
sOO-Military and Trade Affairs
About savannah-Secnrity In the
City.
Press Dispatch.l
FORTRESS MONROE, Jan. 1.-THE rebel
| flag of Fort Fisher was delivered to me
on board the steamer Spaulding, off that
place, Yesterday morning, January 10th.
[Signedl MAJ. GEN. TERRY:
An acknowledgment and thanks for
that gallant act was given in your name
to Admiral Porter and General Terry,
from whom the following particulars
were obtained:
The troops arrived off Fort Fisher
Thursday night. Friday they were all
landed under cover of heavy fire from
the squadron. A reconnaissance was
made by General Terry OH Saturday A
strong defensive line, facing the enemy's
forces coming from Wilmington, was es-
tablished and held by 1000 men, chiefly
composed of troops, and an assault was
determined on.
The assault was made on Sunday 2.
NJ, and at $3.50 the sea front of the fort
had been greatly damaged and broken by
the continuous and terrible fire of the
fleet for three days, and the front was as
saulted at the hour named by column
of seamen and marines, 800 strong, un-
der command of Captain Breeze. They
reached the parapet, but after short
conflict the column was checked and
driven back in disorder, and was after
wards placed on the defensive line, taking
the place of brigade that was brought
up to reinforce the assaulting column of
troops Although the assault on the sea
front failed, it performed very useful
part in diverting the attention OF the en-
emy, and weakening their resistance to
the attack by the troops on the other
side.
The assault ON the other and most diff
ficult side of the fort was made by Il col
umn of three thousand troops of the old
10th corps, led by c lionel Curtis, under
the immediate supervision of General
Terry The enemy's force in the fort
was over two thousand two hundred
The conflict lasted for seven hours. The
works were so constructed that every
traverse afforded the enemy new de-
fensive position, from whence they had
to be driven They were seven i'll num-
Der, and the fight was carried on from
traverse to traverse for seven hours. By
skillfully directed fire thrown into the
traverses, as one after another they were
occupied by the enemy, Admiral Porter
contributed to the success of the assault
ing column. By signals between him
self and General Terry, at briefinteryals,
the fire was so well managed as TO dam
age the enemy without injury to our
own troops.
At about 10 o'clock at night the enemy
were entirely driven from the fort and
forced down towards Federal Point, fol-
lowed by brigade of our troops, and at
about l2 o'clock at night General Whit
ing surrendered himself and his com
mand, to General Terry unconditionally,
as prisoners of war. They numbering
over eighteen hundred, the remainder of
his focce being killed and wounded.
Our loss was not accurately ascer-
tanned on Monday evening, but was estl-
mated at between 700 and 300 in killed
and wounded, besides the naval loss,
which was slight, not exceeding 100
killed and wounded. Col. Bell died of
his wounds Oh Monday morning Col. }.
w. Moore and Lieut.:Col Lyman were
killed Col Pennybacker WAS badly woun-
dcd also Lieut.. Col Coon. A complete
list of the killed and wounded will be
forwarded as soon as it can be prepared.
Gen Leroy reported to geOn-Generai
Barnes that he had ample provision OF
surgeons, nurses and hospital supplies
for the wounded. They Will he sent
north to their respective States as fast as
they can be placed on transports, OF
which there was an ample supply "n
Monday morning.
Between aud 7 o'clock the magazine
of Fort Fisher exploded, killing and
wOunding 200 or 800 persons After the
capture of the fort all the troops were
Withdrawn except one brigade left i'll
charge of the works. How the explosion
occurred was not known, but General
Terry believes it was Occasoned by ac-
cident or neglect
General Hood, with division reported
5000 strong was at Wilmington. ApOr-
ton of it was thrown into the fort not
long before the assault, and while that
was going on, a demonstration was made
by Hoke against our defensive line. but
it was fonnd too strong for anything
more than a skirmishing attack.
About II o'clock Monday morning,
| heavy cloud of smoke was observed over
Fort Smith on the south side of New In
| let The naval officer commanding that
station reported that the rebels had fired
their barracks and evacuated that work.
Perfect harmony and concert of action
existed between Admiral Porter and Gen.
| Terry. They zach We'd i'll accommoda-
ton of the other Each seemed more
| anxious to do justice TO the other than to
claim anything for himself, and they
united in the highest commendation OF
| the naval and military officers and the
forces engaged. To this harmony OF
| feeling and the confident spirit inspired
may we, perhaps, attribute IN some de-
gree the success of our attack, with near
ly equal numbers against resoiute enc
my.
The armament of the fort was ~ guns,
some of large calibre and rified, and one
Armstrong gun. The troops in the fort
had rations for l6 days. Their loss in
killed and wounded was between 400
and 500. General Whiting had three
wounds in the thigh. Col. Lamb also,
who had gone into the fort with rein
foreements, and 10 relieve Gen. Whiting,
on Sunday, is wounded.
On Monday everything was quiet as
a Sabbath day The dead were being
buried and the wounded placed in trans