The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-01-02
OEK WXLNLNQTON CORES
PONDENCE.

WrLxmoroN, December ~, 1884.
The enemy, checkmated and defeated
a$ I'll points, has abandoned the strip Of
ground on which he was crouching above
Fert Fisher, and, under cover of his
powerful 6set, re-embarked on board his
tsansporta His monitors and numerous
other ships-of war have hauled of from
Pert Fisher, and, for the present at least,
have abandoned the attempt 10 carry tina,
stronghold Such is tho result Of three
days q fghting and tho 6ercest bonn
basdmsut to which any fort or town was
ever subjected But lot us take up the
thread Of events whore my last letter
lele it. 49,
AZ soon g the enemy's infantry had
gained foothoId on the mainland, on
Sunday Afternoon, tho 25th instant, they
threw. themselves across the narrow spit
ef~scH Foss Fsss4h sskds asEss6eH gi
got bst~sen Kirkland brigade and the
1ort, whils Kirkland MAS between them
and Wilmington. They moved forward
Immediately against Fisher, and attempt
81 70 carry it BY coap de masn but
tho brave garTison, quitting their guns
aid taking up their muskets, easily re-
pulsed them. A second assault was
made; and With the like result; after
which the enemy withdrew up the beach
beyond thereach Of the Confederate fire
and ws1s towork entrenching themselves
under S0$ef Of their protecting feet
They mAAe some prisoners among the
tunior reeeFseswhen they advanced down
a6ainst the fort; but beyond this our
loss ~ small being less than fifty
killed and wounded Nearly all of our
casualties consist of. light wounds, but
few having been killed. Among the
wounded wss the brave Lieutenant- Colo
: mel REID, nom Savannah, of tho artillery,
whose Let arm WAS torn OF near the
shoulder ~ : shell while he was sight
ing . gun. he Was doing well this morn
Ing.
Another account st.tes that the as
saultsaeaiast tho fort were repulssd BY
tho juhlor reserves Of this State. It is
certain that these youthful soldiers have
played - important part in the defence
Of the fort, and have acquitted themselves
with much credit. The feet continued
it's fire until tho infantry were ready to
begin the assault whom, at signal from
tn shore, every vessel ceased its fire.
and the men on the water became specta
tors Of tho 6ght on the land. Very lit
tie damGge Vas sustained by the fort.
which Is probably the strongest earth
work inthA World. Mortar firing was
kept up against the fort throughout the
night doing no injury beyond interrupt
ing tho rest Of the mon. "A heavy rain.
accompanied By high winds, prevailed ali
nigh.3 end seemed to render the position
Of The ensnJ4 forces on. shore still more
precnz3ouA
nsauwhilsraiu5orosments, which should
h6ve reaehsd herslxty hours soon1r, Be.
gan e. osstyA
The Uitdatlon, though not desperate.
bed now'beooghe sxtsenely critical: and
consequently General Brsxe determined
- e)sAs tie road 70 hshss, end reopen
eo094nseatiens b. land With che rarri-
go III - eueossdsd in doing vsster-
AAy, = VII = pushing The enemy Aack
upeo ee4AecA, vhss they were huddlsd
EethSesunds1 thsir 0set. | pealected Is
J 0oebyWy oMailAble man Was thrown
i.toU nQAee1nday night or sent down
~ 0oGw3enf NM On The nainlsnd. -
~ paSou q bnoi1nD were closed. and
s-Ny 90 wAo could cASry = muskst
~ 60 oDtAs esld ~
! ~ ~ situation Of the enemy that
lA4 80 e6asaD ssiicHl Having failed
70 smu3 - 1T aDd having bean drirsn
teoh - ~ heaeh, Il sals should sst)
% - =, ~ -do9D md oommunicAsion
No. - - - eat 81 ~ must either
fHgvuu1wNDgi1h ~ want Of food. I'll
j. rq1 - opgal Bsaeg. eomprs-
- $3.50 llten, ss1sSd thsa te|
~ doeoo tesqh a. nlkat y Svvysat!