New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-01-25
Report Of tIle Fleet Captain IL. IL. Breese
Of the Naval Assault or Forc Fisher.
FLAG. SHIP MALyERH.

DIX. j nave W lcpOlJ tiioA III ObN"A'hN' W '"'
orlerI represented your flag in commanding the assault
on Fort Fisher, aid beg leave to state as follows
Lieut. s. W. Preston had charge of force Of about
ten men from each ship, with shoyels aud picks, and
threw up within 600 yards Of the fort well protected
brcastwork oGd from that gradually advanced to within
900 Yards succession of riho-pits which were most
promptly oscupicd by line Of administers composed
OF Marines. under Second Lieut. l.. Il. Fason, y. :.
NJ. q. TIE manner in which this was done reflects
most creJably upon Lieut.. Preston. AS the advance
was made he to and reported his work finished,
and ASKED that he might be employed In any way.
Lieut. resons services were most useful to me ana ~
his last moments he attempted 10 SEND nc wOTd tAal nc
had Carried out my orders.
The assautng party was composed OF about sixteen
hundred seamen and four hundred Marines dsded INTO
four lines as follows Flint line composed OF marines
Capt L. L. Dawson II. S. NJ. C., commanding Second
nnc composed Of the landing party OF the first and
fourh divisions Of the squadron, Lieut. Cominander Z;
". Cushman, commanding. Third Inc, composed OF
the landing party OF the second division OF The squadron
0lmmanded by Lieut. COMMANDER james Parker, who
most generously waived his seniority upon reading your
orders that should represent you shore. fourlh
line composed Of the landing party the third DIVISION
OF the squadron commanded by Lieut. Commander L.
o. Sclfiidge The second third. and fourth lines were
Of about equal strength. -,
II was intended that the men should assault In line,
the marines acting sharp shoe ere, and Tie different
10 charge over them; but from tie diihculty
had OF informing myself Of the time when the army
was 20 assault which 70 guide 0urJnoyements thst
moment found FAR off 10 move to tho attack unless
under cover. When discovered that the army was
moving 20 attack tho fort ordered The men 10 advance
by the Hank aoug the beach, hoping TO be able to form
them for the assault under OF tho mGrnes but
four hundred yards distant, exposed TO most gazing
ire Of mnsketry threw portion OF the marines INT"
the first line and tho rest Of them did not take position
as they should.
The second ond third lines came along and tho heads
OF tue three lines Joined aud forued one compact col
umn which. fling up to the sea face OF Fort flsher
assaulted within hfy yards OF the parnpe winch was
lined with one dense Of muskete,rs, who piayeh
L ar. . hon stVn "A
severe Gre from the enemy the were rallied three
times under the personal encouragement and exposure
OF sher commanding officers but failed - gam h4heh
ground few officers and men reached tho psFhP"''
don't know their names but they viii doubtless be
found In the reports Of the officers accompanying th'
parry. TIT
Tie marines having failed n occupy their position,
gave the enemy an Almost unnocs;od FIRE upon az.
Men armed with Sharpe rites aud the lev Inanhrs IN
the front opened the fire. but IL was too feeble ~ be OF
avail Finding the rear Of The retresting, has
tened toward IL 81 form them under cover and have
them their rifles Ia, they wero too FAR distant 10Y
to reach them. and ACCORDINGLY returned TO posi
notwithstanding all attempts 20 stop theIn He'd WIN
the exception Of about ,iyty among whom were Leut
Comm anders james Parker, G. III. CuslIinan l. o. Sci
fridge and ~ Sicsrd and Lieuts y. H. FarluhAr and
IL. II. Lanson the hitter Of whom was wounded. and
several volunteer officers whose Names unfortunately
do not know.
Tie fro Of the enemy was so severe hat the few Of
our men remaining had 10 seek such they could
AID there remained unti dari, when demonstration
and most succeeded In escaping.
The country will reere, the death Of Lieut. 4. W.
Preston acting az my AID In carving orders who was
Killed IN nont and II Lieut. u. H. Porter tIed In tho
early assault the head of the columns and Of several
volunteer officers scamen and marines. killed during
the attack.
OF Assistant. Surgeon William Longshaw special
me should be made. accom-, Of bis great bravery
and attention 20 the wounded under the hottest IRE
until finally he fell victim IN the very act vi binding
can but attribute the failure Of the assault % the sb
Of The marines from their position as 'n.i, ire
would have enabled boaTders 10 use their cntasses
and pistols most effectively. By tbs would imply ust
the lack OF proper organization u beng Impossible IN
the short " time account ~ throwing 50 many
small SQUADS OF men from the different vessels together
in one mass ncking proper company formations, and
wholly nnacqualutel with each Other 70 secure such
Tbis led to tho confusion exhibited for II not due
to any want Of personal aOr on the part Of tho officers
or men.
Although the officers and men we're exposed 10 90
we're fire IRON the enemy them Of novel character
and upon novel element which would have tried vet.
Grams yet they advanced noby aud the SURVIVORS must
be satisfied that they contributed In no small degree.
10 the success of the army The enemy believing as
ana informed that the main aFa1ult vas 70 come from
ne were much surprised upon looking q their rear TO
find the army 20 far advanced In their works.
The medical officers sent on shore with the landing
party established their field hospital at work about
mills from the tort wherc Asslstlnt' Surgeon il. H. Rid
der took charge Of the wounded who wero conveyed
there, and their wants attended 10 as well a. croun-
stances would permit
Asnear as could estimate there were about 65 killed
and 200 wounded.
Lieut.. Commander w. X. Cushing IN the extreme
front finding nothing could be done. .cf with the re
treating rnen and succeeded finally Ia raying them,
and al tho request OF Gen Terry occupied me ilnes
near his headquarters. which enabled LIN 10 wlihdTa~
men 10 reinforce his force in the fort.
Bcing witness TO tho assault Of tie army after our
repulsc cannot but Express my admiration OF the
extreme CALAMITY g. It's attack.
Where act OF persona. bravery displayed on
the part Of the enemy q dozen or more were con !
spicuous on our parti and It was n most imposing
sg 70 Gee how splendidy our brave soldiers dld their
In conclusion would Gay that may have omitted |
the names officers who have distinguished themselves
by their galanlr,, yet could not a TO mention those
above named who came personally under my notice,
and trust that tho commanding officers OF the assault
ing lines VIII do justice TO ail.
10 Lieut.. Commander James Parker, would say
chat was n witness TO his efforts 20 advance the |
men 10 the free exposu Of his pcrson. and. although
ranking he would let 40 obstacle VI that nature in
pose and check his endeuYoIg 10 DO BIS utmost "
10 your Secretary. Mr. c. p. Porter. acting as my
aid am very much indebted. Though frequently sent
in the rear with orders he was most promptly back
ond AZ the assault, he WAS found AT tho front.
Although the asseutng party failed, think 10 but
due those who advanced and TO the Of the
slan TO claim for them, through their strong demon
straton, corresponding resistance from the enemy.
and weakening OF the Rebel defense toward our
army.
havo been informed by tho officers who converscd
i'm prisoners that the encmy believed be the
mai n assault and concentrated against us their nam
force In saying this I-wOuld not wish 10 be under
In the lenst to detraet from the splendid gaan,y
exhibited by our army which was worthy Of the high
est commentator that can be bestowed.
Very respectfully your obedient servant
*. H. BREIsE, Fleet Captain.
List oor Officers Killed and wounded
during the Attack upon Fort Fisher.
KILLED IN THE ASSAULT.