Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1865-01-25

Flag OF the FOrt-GeneraI Sherman's
OperatiOns-Anairs in Savannah.
FORTRESS MONROE, Jan. 17--l0 p. m.
To the President:
The rebel flag of Fort Fisher was deliv.
cred to me on board the steamer Spaulding,
off that place, yesterday morning, January
16, by Major General Terry.
An acknowledg dgment and thanks for their
gallant achievement was given in your
name to Admiral Porter and Gen. Terry,
from whom the following particulars were
obtained:
The troops arrived off Fort Fisher on
Thursday night. On Friday they all
landed, under cover of heavy fire from
the squadron. A reconnaissance was made
by Gen. Terry. On Saturday, strong
defensive line against any enemy's forces
coming from Wilmington was establised
and held by 1000 men, chiefly colored
troops, and an assault was determined upon
The assault was made on Sunday afternoon,
at halfpast o'clock. The sea front Of
the fort had been greatly damaged and
broken by continuous and terrible fire Of
the feet for three days, and the front was
umn of seamen and marines 1900 strong
under command of Capt Breese They
reached the parapet, but, after short con-
hict, this column was checked, driven back
in disorder, and was afterwards placed on
the defensive line, taking the place of
brigade that was brought up to reinforce
the assaultiug column OF troops. Although
the assault on the sea front failed, it per
formed very useful part in diverting the
their resistance to the attack by the troops
on the other side.
The assault on the other and most diff
cult side of the fort was made by a column
of 5000 troops of the old 10th Corps, led
by Col. Curtis, under the immediate super
vision of General Terry. The enemy's
force in the fort was over 2,200. The con-
fct lasted for seven hours. The works
were so constructed that every traverse
afforded the enemy a new defensive position
from whence they had to be driven They
were II in number, and the fight was car
ried on from traverse to traverse, for seven
hours. By skilfully- directed fire thrown
into the traverses, one after another, they
were occupied by the enemy. Admiral
Porter contributed to the success of the
assaulting columns, and by signals between
himself and General Terry at brief inter
vals, this fire was SO we'll managed as to
damage the enemy without injury to our
troops.
At about IL o'clock p. m. the enemy
were entirely driven from the fort, and
forced down towards Federal Point. follow
ed by brigade of our troops, and about
midnight General Whiting surrendered
himself and his men to Gen. Terry. uncon
ditionally, as prisoners of war, numbering
over 1900, the remainder of his force be-
ing killed and wounded. Our loss was not
accurately ascertained on Monday afternoon,
but was estimated at between 700 and 500
in killed and wounded, beside the naval
loss, which was slight, not exceedidg 100
in killed and wounded. Not ship nor a
transport was lost. Gen. Curtis was
severely, but not mortally wounded. Col
Bell died of bis wounds on Monday morn
ing. Col j. W. Moore and Lieut.. Col
Lyman were killed. Col. Pennypacker
was badly wounded, also Lieut.. Col. Coan
A complete list of the killed and wound
ed will be forwarded as soon as it can be pre-
pared. Gen.. Terry reported to Surgeon
General Barnes that he had ample proyis-
ions of surgeons, nurses, and hospital