Litchfield enquirer., 1865-01-26

getting to the top of the parapet, amid n''- derousalire of grape. canister aud musketry. They had planted the flag there, but WeEe swept away in U moment. Others tried 70 gss up the steep pancopee. The marines eouie have cleared the parapet by keeping upe steady fire, but they failed to do 80, and tne sailors were repulsed Many gallant ielIoW fell, tryingto emulate their brothers 10 afms who were fighting to obtain an entFance On the mol oitheast angle, as it appears on ou' cna,s. The enemy mis,ook the seamebs attack .os that of the Inaia body of troops, and oppoeepN most vigorous resistance thtre. But witness ed it all and think the marines could nase made the assault successful.
 In the meantime our gallant soldiers neo gained a foothold on the northeast corner ot the fort, fighting like lions. and c0ntesting every inch ofthe ground. The ErOnsides ana monitors kept storsaiag their shells intosAne traverses not occupied by our men, but stsit held by the rebels.l In this -ivay our troops fought ffoAi traverse to tfaverse from O'cIock in tbe afternoon until 10 at, night. when the joyful tidings were sglaied to the heet. We stopped our fire and gave; them three of the heartiest cheers l ever heard. rri. 'b,e,l sf It has been the most terrific struggle ever saw, and there was very much hard labor.- | The troops have covered themselves with glory, and Gen. Terry is my ."beau ideal" of soldier and Gene ral and his cooperation has been most harmonious, aud think the General will do the navy the justice to say that this time, at least, we substantially injored the fort as defensive work:.' Gen. Terry had only few more troops than We had on the last occasions when the enemy bad only l5O men in. tks works. This time the works were, fully man ned and contained about 800 men at the timgt of the assault. .sts,5.. a.. ss.t It is a matter of great regret to me to see my gallant officers and men 80. cut up but was unwilling to let the troops undertake the capture of the works without the navy sharing with them the peril all were anxious 10 uutisr- go, and we should have had the honor of meet. ing our brothers in arms on the works, had the sailors been properly supported.
 We have lost about 200 in killed and wound ed, among them some gallant officers. Fe- gret to announce the death of Lieut.. s. W. Preston and Lieut.. B. H. Porter. They were both captured together in the attack OR Fort Sumter, and died together in endeavOring to pull down the flag that has SO long daunted ih our faces. Lieut. R. H. Lamson was severely wounded. He was lately associated with Lieut. Preston in his periious adventure on the pow der boat. Lieut.. George NJ. Bache and num. | b.r of others were wounded, the former not dangerously. 'rr s-t t.- -
 The assault only took place few hours ago, tand am unable to inform you of cur casual- ties. Fhey were quite severe from the assaaltT but We had no casualties from the enemJs cannon. --
 Knowing tft. impatience of the Department to receive news from Fort Fisher. have writ ten these few hurried lines. No one eaR con- ceive whst the army and navy have RUns through to achieve this victory, which should have been ours on Christmas day without the loss of ,lnzen men. This has been a day of terrific stru. gle, and is not surpassed by any event of the war We are all worn out nearly; and you must exclse this brief and unsatisfac- toty account. will write fully by the Saniia- 90 de Cuba, which goes North to-morruw ta carry the Seunded. 1.-.E
 Besides she men u Fort Fisher there werSs .,'lcut 500 in the upper forts, and relief of about 800 men Was brought down by steam CTS this morning. SD far, believe. We have only captured the garrison of Fort Fisher. don't suppose there ever was n work subjected 10 such ;l terrific bnmbarCnsBt or where the tapproaeh of fort Was more altered. There Is not II spot Ot earth about the fort that has not been torn up by our shells.
 | 1 do not know ye. the number of killed and wounded by our fire but one lj-inch she'll alone pierced bomb-proof, and severely wounded 25. ....r.. s-.... presume we are in possession of all the forts, as Fort Fisher commands them al It .. Is so late now that can learn nothing more until morning.
 l am, s r, very respectfully, your obedient | servant.
 DAVID D. PORTER Rear Admiral
 Hon Gideon Weiles, Secretary of the Navy,
 Washington, D. c. a.T s