The Washington herald., 1915-02-28
FEDERAL TROOPS OCCUPIED
WILMINGTON, N. c.
February u, 1865.


runners, was occupied by division OF
Federal troops under Gen. Alfred II.
Terry, the place having been evacuated
in the night by its defenders, under Gen.
BraXton Bragg.
The fall of Wilmington was one of the
results of the capture of Fort Fisher,
at the mouth Of the Cape Fear River, by
Gen. Terrys forces. aided by the navy,
on January Is The city was about
twenty miles above the mouth of the
river but the fall of Fort Fisher and
of other works on the river had made its
occupation by the Federals only ques-
ton of time
The final Federal movements against
Wilmington We're directed by Cen John
NJ. Schofield. who had been transferred
from Tennessee and given command. on
January 81. of the newly created military
department of North Carolina
The advance of the troops from their
base at Fort Fisher had been slow. for a
variety of reasons.
The cooperation of the navy was nee
essary, and tho opening of the river.
which was well strewn with torpedoes.
choked by instructions and protected by
guns on shore, had occupied the naval
forces under Admiral D. d. Porter until
February 10. when the last of the river
defenses. Fort Anderson. eleven miles
below Wilmington. fell A result of the
advance of a Federal infantry column
m its rear.
The advance Of this column was held
by troops from the Twcnty-third Army
Corps. which. under Schofield. had
fought with Thomas in the battles of
Franklin and Nashville in the preced-
ing December.
The transfer of the Twenty-third
Army Corps from Tennessee to the coast
OF North Carolina. had proven a strik-
ing demonstration of Federal resources
in the last months of the war.
The corps. numbering about 14.ooo ef-
fectives. had received its orders at Nash
willie. January "a; had been sent by
steamers down the Tennessee River and
up the Ohio to points in West Virginia.
mad gone hence to Washington and AL
oxandria by rail, and on February had
begun TO board transports on the POto-
mac for its sea trip 10 North Carolina.
Its journey thus far had covered 400
miles. The task Of planning its trans
pOrtation had fallen on Charles A. Dana,
Assistant Secretary of War. In the Po-
tOmac the transports were icebound for
four days. hut the corps sailed on Feb
ruary T. The transports encountered
gale off Hatteras. but weathered It with
cut accident and on February the
Fisher, ready to cooperate with Gen.
Terry in an advance upon Wilmington
Conquering Swamps.
Tho character Of the country on both
sides of the Cape Fear River between
its mouth and Wilmington was seri-
Gus bar to rapid advance. The enemy
had all the solid ground on both sides
ri the river: on the south (right) bank
by small Earrisons and on the left bank
with Gen. Il. +. Hoke's division Of about
a.eS infantry.
The first Federal plan was to outfank
lIoke ny sending A heavy force. consist
ing OF Gen. Jacob n. Coxs division of
the Twcnty-third Corps and Gen. Adel-
bert Ames' division of Terry's (Provis-
iunab corps up the beach. and by boats
across Myrtle Sound to A point in his
rear Indictment weather delayed the eX-
ecution of this plan. and when finally
the crossing of the sound was attempted
the enemy discovered the movement and
checked il.
It was next decided 10 leave Gen Terry
!" advance against Hoke in frontal at
tack, while CoX's and Ames' divisions
under the former. were transferred
across the river for an advance up the
right bank
Accordingly the troops were ferrind to
Snnthville. village on the river from
uhirh a single practicable road followed
the marshy river bank toward Whining
ton. The landing here was effected on
February Is.
Immediately on landing. tho soldiers.
whose last marches had been made on
tho icy hills of Middle Tennessee. found
themselves begged in the flooded
marshes Of North Carolina.
Gen. Cox with his own division took
tho advance. following the road toward
-
village. The division Of Gen. Ames fol-
lowed it.
Ry making with part of his force a
detour of about fifteen miles around a
pond. Gen. Cox succeeded in reaching a
point threatening the rear Of Fort An
derson. and leading To its evacuation.
Falling hack from the fort. the Con- |
federates crossed Town Creek. small |
but deep estuary of the river, behind
which they took up strong position |
and mounted guns commanding the only
approach to it, causeway across a rice |
swamp
Accommodating w and down the |
stream. the Federals found a large fat
hoat, and on this Gen. Cox succeeded on |
February N in crossing three brigades |
-sot thinking the swamp on this side |
could be traversed. the enemy had post
ed no pickets; and before they were |
aware of their danger the three Federal
brigades had gained a position in their
rear. An attack was then pressed in !
both front and rear which resulted in
the Confederate force. numbering $40
men. with their commander, surrender
ing.
Enemy Quits City.
The way being now open to Whining
ton. Gems. Cox and Ames pressed on
hoping TO save a railroad bridge on the
Wilmington and Manchester Railroad
crossing the south branch of the Cape
Fear River. here known the Bruins
wick. The bridge had been destroyed
when they reached II, and pontoon
bridge that had been used by the enemy
had been broken up.
The boats TO the pontoon bridge were
raised and repaired during February q.
and on the rebuilt bridge the Federals
crossed a force to a long, narrow island
lying in front of Wilmington. On this
island had formerly been the cotton
presses where the blockade runners took
on their cargoes for England.
Mounting their guns opposite the ISL
and. the Federals shelied a small work
ny which the enemy held the road to
the opposite landing. They were thus
engaged when Gen. Cox received an .
Ger from Gen. Schofeld, who made his
headquarters on a steamer in the river,
to march his force forthwith to the river.
TO be ferried across to the aid of Gen.
Terry. Information had been received
that the enemy in front OF Terry had