New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-01-14

os men and ten commissioned officers Of the North Caro-
lima Reserves and other prisoners. From them iesrhto
that Kirklands and Hapgoofs brgades OF Aokess
Division had left the front Of the Army OF the James
near Richmond and were within two miles OF the rear
Of NV forces and their skirnishcrs were then aculy
engaged and that the remainder of HoAess Division
had come tie night before TO Wilmington, and were
then on the march also learned that these troops
left Richmond ON Tuesday, the GOTH hnowihg inc
strength of Hokcss Division found force opposed 10
me outside the works larger than my own. In 'he
meantime tie weather assumed threatening aspect
The surf began to roll in that the landing became
difficult
AT this time Gen Wci;zel reported TO me that to as
saut the works in Lis Judgment, and in that oil TIE eA
pcrionced officers of his command, who had skrmish
line with any prospect Of success impossible.
This opinion conceded with my own. and much ID
regretted the necessity Of abandoning the attempt ye'
the duty was plain Not so strong WORK as foil
Fisher had been taken by assault during the war; and
had TO Guide my experience ofPort Hudson, us
slaughtered thou sands in the repulsed assault ana inc
double assault of Fort Wagner, where thousands were
sacrificed in an attempt 10 take WORK less stronB
than Fort Fisher after II had continued ana iniIy
as severe fire. and in neither of the instances have
mentioned had the Gssauling force in its rear, as had
an army Of the enemy larger than itself
therefore ordered that assault should BIZ made and
that tie troops should Teembark While superintend'
ing the preparations of this, the firing OF the navy
ceased. Instantly the guns Of the fort were inly
manned and a sharp fire Of musketry, grape, ana can
lister swept the place which the column must have
advanced, and the skrmsh line was returning WORK
ing with what diligence could, it was impossible TO
Ifrlos 20
render further embarka.on the sending Of sup
plies ashore impossible. l lay by the shore until II
o'clock the next day. Monday, the Goth, when having
made all proper dispositions for getting the troops on
board gave orders to the transport feet as fast as
they were ready sail for Fortress Monroe In obedi
ence 10 NV instructions from the Lieutenant General
learned from descrters and prisoners captured that
the supposition which the Lieut. General directed
the expedition that Wilmington Lad been denuded Of
troops to oppose Gen. Sherman. correct; that nj
the time when the Army arrived off Wilmington there
was less than 400 in the garrison OF Fort Fisher
and less than OC0 within 20 miles but the delay Of
three days Of good weather, the 10th, 18th and 18th.
waiting the arrsa Of the navy and the further de-
Law from the terrible storm Of the 2ls ped and 23d
gave time for troops TO be brought from Richmond.
three divisions Of which eithcr there on the
road.
The instructions of the Lieut. Gen TO me did not con-
template a siege had neither siege trains nor sup
plies for such contingency. The eXigency ofpossibc
delay for which The foresight Of the commander Of the
Armies had provided had arisen 10 wit; the large re-
enforcement of the garrison with the fact that the
Navy had exhausted their supply of ammunition in the
bombardment left alternative bu, 70 return With
nv Army to the Army Of the James.
The loss Of Friday Saturday. and Sunday, tie 10TH
18th. and 18th Of December, the immediate cause
Of the failure Of the expedition 1t is not province
even to suggest blame TO the Navy for their delay OF
fonr days at Beaufort / know none Of the reasons
which do or do justify H. 1t is 10 be presumed they
are sufficient.
lam happy 10 bring to the attention ofthe Lieutenant
General the excellent behavior Of the troops officers anG
men, which was all that could be desired AIN under
especial obligations 10 Capt Gleason Of the Santiago
de Cuba for The able and efcctual in which be
covered our landing; to Capt. Alden Of the brooklyn,
for his prompt assistance and the excellent gnnnery
with which the Brooklyn cleared the shores OF all op'
posers. At the moment Of declaration, Lieut. farqu
hor OF the Navy having in charge the Navy boat which
assisted in the landing deserves great credit Tor the
energy and skill with which be managed the
boat. through the rolling surf. Especial commen-
daon is due TO Brig Gen Graham and the Ulcers and
boats and crews for landing and the uniirng energy
and industry with which they all abOred in reembarkng
the troops during the stormy night Of the h aud the
div following For this and other meIiorous service
during the campaign since the LIST Of May. which have
heretofore been brought the notice Of the Lieutenant
General in my official reports would respectfully but
earnestly recommend Gen. Graham Sor promotion
The number OF prisoners captured by 10 was 300.
including II officers; also, heavy Tihedguns. hight
guns and caissons. The loss Of the Army was man
drowned, 2rlen killed. officer captured (who acct
den,ally wandered through our piclets). aud more
wounded, while upon the picaetline. by tho shells Of
the Navy
Always chafg Of mentioning with commentator the
acts OF my own personal staff. yet think the troops
who saw IL VIII agree the cool courage and daring Of
Lieut. Sidney u. DeK0y A. j. e., in landing On the
night Of tie 9th. and remaining and aiding In the
standardization on the 9th. For the details Of the
audng and the operations beg leave 70 refer you to
the report Of Mai Gen. Weitzel, commanding the
troops. and Brig~Gen. Amcs, commanding the division
landed which are hereto appended.
Trusting ny action Will meet with the approval Of
lie Licutenant General. this report il respectfully sub
,oj,ted BENZ. +. BUTLER. MAJ. Gen.
HDQRs 25m ARMY CoIrs. Ii THE FIELD.
VIRGINIA. saturday. Dee. 81, 1871.
mir .Gta j. ". TURNER. ChiJ " STAT, Department
T1g4iAIa aud AorH Carolina:
CFsIRAL: III accordance with orders mofec on thc
evening of the 7th inst with about 1000 men ~ cen
moss Second Division, Twenty fourth Army corps,
and zen. Paincs First Division, IHeDtyillh corps
IN III rcnr OF the left of lines AT BcrIsuda lfubrcd
and ed for the nj ht the signal tower Dur
. 1 .i,.l nVtl