The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-01-17
TIE NEWS.

Yesterday morning it was known on
The streets that Fort Fisher, our p,inci-
na, defensive work at the mouth Of the
zane Fear river, lad been taken by the
enemy at 10 o'clock on the previous
o,ht. The news took the community
hv surprise, as, at the time, there had
been no authentic intelligence that the
enemy was mcnacing the fort with u
land force. During the day, the follow
iar official report, giving all the particu-
lars that arc yet known Of the fall OF
the place. was received at the War Office
"HrApqu AErEKs, January l6, 1866.
lin. i. 4. StdAos.:
"General Grasg reports that the en-
cay boubarded Fort Fisher furiously
al! day Yesterday. AT 4 P NJ, their in
antry advanced to the ASSAULT heavy
demonstration at the same hour being
made against their rear By our troops.
At half:past six Z. NJ, General
Whiting reported tina. their attack had
failed, and the garrison was being
strengthened with fresh troops.
"Abou. 10 p n. the fort was cap
tqred, with most Of its garrison.
No further particulars at the time
known. +. Z. LEE"
The fail Of Fort Fisher, we presume.
closes the port Of Wilmington. 1t com
mands the main entrance to the Cape
Fear river, and will, VIC fear. enable the
enemy 10 blockade the river completely,
giving them, as it does, secure lodg-
ment or the left bank. Fort Caswell
and several other works still guard
the southern channel of the river. Fort
Fisher is thirty miles below Wilmington.
Some regard the fall Of Fisher as a disas-
ter, while many arc disposed to consider
it blessing in disguise. The latter, who
are, it must be said, numerous and SEN
sible class, contend that Wilmington, as
seaport, has, from the beginning, done
us more harm than good. They say that
the goods imported through it have been
Of little value to US, while millions OF
dollars worth Of our cotton has thence
found its way into the hands Of our
enemies
1t is proper to add, that possibly our
force, which, according to General Lees
dispatch, was "making heavy demon
stration against their rear" may retake
,hc.iort.
The following official telegram was re-
ceivea at the War Department last night :
"HEsDQuAgTERs, january Is, 1865.
"Hoa j. Il. .Saadon:
General Early reports that General
Rosser, at the head of three hundred
lnen, surprised and captured the garri.
son at Beverly, Randolph county, on the
18th Instant killing and wounding q
considerable number and taking five
hundred and eighty prisoners. His loss
slight. r. e. LEE"
twas reported yesterday that Gene
rat John G. Breckenridge had been made
Secretary Of War of the Confederate
Mates. We could obtain no confirma>
Ton OF the report in official circles blu,
'here are reasons for believing it. Gene
raI breckinridge was expected to arrive in
the city last night.
1t was also reported that Colonel
A0rthrop, comlnissary- General, had been
displaced
'aoge Halyburton, Of the Confederate
NVaFs Tor the Eastern district Of Virgi
ma On yesterday issued writ Of habeo;
@'fp&S On the petition of the Hon Henry
;. route, q member Of the Confederate
House Of Representatives, from Tennes
''s' commanding Captain Hugh S. Dog
Sese, provost-marshal Of Fredericksburg
" DING before the Judge the body o
i'enfy ). Foote on Thursday next, ant
"slo" cause why he should not be SCI
~ liberty, Mr.. Footc, in his petition
,'a'es that he had been arrested and wat
hsid in custody by order Of Captain
ucSgeti, who protested to be acting b,
:ae orders Of zone James A. Seldom
'serstary Of War;" &c Happily, Thu
matter has been settled by the House Q
representatives, 10 whom it was referret