Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-17
WAR DRPARTMEN1


WASHINGTON, 1919 M, Jan. IL, 1865.
Major Cent Dir, Ne,c Fork:
The following official des patches have lust
been received at this Department:
HEADQUARTERS u. 5. FORCES,
ON FEDERAL POINT, n. C., Jan. Is, 1865,
(via Fort MONROE, Jan. ~ !
Brig Gen. Jno. A. Rollins, chief Stat, City Point
have the honor TO report that Fort Fisher
was carried by an assault this afternoon and
evening, by Gen. Ames' division of the I'd bri-
gade OF the LIST division of the oath army corps
calamity aided by a battalion OF marines and
seamen from the Eavy.
The assault was preceded by a heavy bonn
bardment from the Federal fleet and was made
n $50 p. N when the LIST brigade (Curtis,) Of
Ames' division, effected a lodgment on the par.
apet but full possession on the work was not
obtained till 10 pm.
The behavior of both officers and men was
most admirable.
All the works south of Fort Fisher are now
occupied by our troops.
We have not less than 200 prisoners, inclu.
ding General Whiting and Gel. Lamb, the COM
mandant OF the Fort.
/ regret to say that our losses are severe es.
pecialIy in officers. 1 am not yet able to form
any estimate Of the number OF casualties
(Signed) ALFRED II. TERRY,
Brevet MAJ. Gen. Comd'g Expedition.
"FoRT FISHER, N. g., = q. m, Ian. Is, 1866
Hon. G.. A. Dana, ASSISTANT Secretary of IFar
After a careful reconnaissance on the 18th, it
was decided to risk an assault on Fort Fisher
Paines division, with Col. Abootrs brigade
20 hold our line already strung across thu penin.
sula and facing Wilmington against Hoke.
while Ames' division should assault on the
west end Of the land front, and 400 marines and
LOCO sailors on the east end.
After three hours of heavy navy fire, the
assault was made at p. on the 18th Cur-
tis's brigade led, and as soon as it got on the
west end of the land front was followed by
Pennypacker's, and later by Bells. After des.
perate fighting, gaining foot by foot, and severe
loss, at p. N. we had possession of about half
the land front Abbott's brigade was then
taken frsm our line facing Wilmington and
put into Fort Fisher. and on pushing it for
ward, at 10 p. m. it took the rest of the work
with little resistance. the garrison falling back
to the extreme point of the peninsula, where
they were followed and captured. Among
others General Whiting and Colonel Lamb are
both wounded.
think we have quite one thousand prison.
ers. hope our own loss may not exceed five
hundred, but il is impossible to judge in the
night. Among the wounded are the command.
ers Of three leading brigades, Gen. Curtis being
wounded not severely, but Coils. Penny hacker
and Bell dangerously. The land front was a
formidable one, the parapet In places fifteen
or twenty feet high, but the men went at il
nobiy, under severe musketry fire.
The marines and sailors went up gailantly
but the N asketry fire from the east end of the
land front was 60 severe that they did not sue.
Deed in entering the work. The navy fire on
the work, Judging from the holes, must have
been terrific. Many OF the guns were injured.
How many there were on the point cannot
say. perhaps thirty or forty.
(Signed,) q. b. COMsrooK, 1t. Col
and A. d. q and Chief Engineer.
Another dispatch estimates the number of
prisoners captured st 1850, and the number OF
guns at -.
Gen Grant telegraphs to this Department
hat, in honor of this great triumph achieved
by the united valor OF the army and navy, he
has ordered a salute of one hundred guns to be
fred by each Of the armies operating against
Richmond. &. A. DANA,
Assistant Secretary of War