The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-03-02

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and eleven wounded The fleet contin-
ued to lombard them briskly during
the day, the enemy replying vigorously
with very long range guns.
GENERAL cox MOVES oN TIE CITY.
General Cox moved from Town Creek
at ten o'clock A. NJ. of the 2lst, and
reached Brunswick River, opposite
Wilmington, at one o'clock, P. III. The
rebels did not resist, but burned the
railroad bridge crossing to the island /;
fred the pontoon bridge and cut it
adrift The 10Th Kentucky, Col White,
secured a few pontoons partially burn
ed, and, crossing his regiment, skirm
ished across the island, establishing
on q canseway over a swamp,
and within musket range of the
whsrves. Upon this narrow way the
rebels opened from the city with two
Whitworth guns, but before dusk our
skirmish line was established in the
swamp. Artillery was ferried over and
a few shells thrown into the city to
convince the rebels that we were in
force.
TIE REBELS BACK AND APPLY THE TORCH.
Ga the first appearance of our troops
on the island the rebels set fire to the
cotton shed and to an un-
finished iron-clad, and withdrew into
the city. The CONSERVATION of the en-
emy at our unexpected success in
reaching the city was plainly seen in
their actions. This success was quite
rs unexpected by us, and not looked
for until after the arrival of the two
divisions of the 23d corps.
then at SmithVille. But for the sound
Judgment of General Cox we should
have lost the great advantage gained.
A REPORT PROM GEN. TEERY-ALMosT A
BLUNDER.
Just as Gen. Schofeld was preparing
to follow Gen. Cox, at noon, q mes
sage arrived from Gen. Terry, saying
that the enemy was in a very heavy
force in his front, and that from infor
nation which he deemed trustworthy,
reinforcements had arrived from Char
lesion, and that he could not hold his
line if attacked. This information
was sent to Gen. Cox with orders to re-
turn at once to the mouth of Town
Creek. where boats would be in readi-
ness to cross his command 10 TeTy's
Fortunately the order did
not reach Gen. Cox until dark, and he
feeling confident from his own observa-
tons that the information upon which
the order was given was false, he con
cluded to remain and report the facts,
and sent Moore's brigade back to re
port, and begin the crossing il still
advisable. Gen. Schoheld at
once approved MS action and ordered
him to remain The result proved the
wisdom of this conclusion. The rebels
began to Withdraw at dark, and at day
light the place was evacuated.
ENTERING THE CITY.
Gen. Cox's skirmishers crossed into
the city at this hour, and Gen. Terry's
forces marched through the place at 9
A. NJ and pressed on after the enemy.
The ferryboats being destroyed, Gen.
Cox could not cross his main force un-
til noon.
ARRIVAL OF THE FLEET.
The feet arrived ut the wharf about
the middle Of the afternoon, and imme-
diately fired salute--an important
matter which the land forces had for
gotten.
THE REBELS DISAPPOINTED.
Although, as a matter of prudence the
rebels had removed their public stores
from the city, still they fully expected
to hold our forces in check for several
weeks, relying for this upon the great
strength of their works and upon ex-
pected re-enforcements The prompt
and unlocked for occupa ion of Eagle
Island alone compelled them TO retire.
II WAS not until this was in possession
of onr forces that the removal of the
Union prisoners in the city began.
These were between 1000 and 5000 IN
number, the majority having just been
brought from Florence, s. c., to prevent
their falling into Sherman's hands.
FoRrlT1cATIovs or CAPE FsAR RIVER
In the opinion of eminent engineers,
the Cane Fear river, from Wilmington
to the ocean, is more strongly fortified
than any one Of our Northern harbOrs,
or anv river in the world. Nineteen
fort, and batteries line its approaches,
Within the short distance named, all Of
the heaviest character, most gcientifcal
ly constructed, and thoroughly armed.
Three lines of formidable Obstructions,
consisting of piles, torpedoes, sunken
ships and cribs, chain cable, and rats
of heavy timber, securely fastened to-
getber. The entire front of this line
was covered by a succession OF lakes
and swamps, stretching from the river
to the ocean, and only crossed by two
narrow causeways. Then, three miles
outside Of these works, was a second
very strong line The city vas capable
of stronger defense than any We have
taken during the war. Its only lack
was IN men,
HON EASILY IT VAS DONE.
Gen Schofeld was most heartily con
graduated on all sides for this mos
Aattering result OF his combinations. u
must be remembered in this connection
that oniv one division, the 3D., and one
brigade, Moore's, Of the ID division o
the Army Of the Ohio, were engaged
the remainder of the 23d corps not hav
ing arrived. The total loss on boti
sides Of the river after Gen. Schohelo
took command, will fa1 a trihe belo7
two hundred This is owing 10 the fac
that no position was assaulted whiet
could not be turned.
TIE CITIZENS OF wILXISGToS.
But few citizens left the city, excep
such Is the enemy forced TO enter tn
ranks and follow. All able-bodiod mel
hid themselves, and thronged the street
IS soon as our forces entered The ladie
we're also out in force, and the negroe
crowded all the avenues. Not symp
tom Of animosisy was displayed by man
woman OF child throughout the day.
MAKING FREE WITH PROPERTY.
Early in the morning a large class O
citizens began to help themselves 60 ia
goods in the various stores, but proFOs
I guard soon stopped this trsthc 50 peeu
/ lar to rebel towns.
THE CITY.
The city contains a number Of yer
+ fine churches, ediiees, and public build
I ings. and many beautiful private resi
6enoes, but these serve 10 make tn
general shabbiness Of the rest NOR
I conspicuous
TRE USIoS PRISONERS IcEESIso sPEc1AoL'