WILMINGTON: Fort Fisher Carried by Assault; Official Reports from General Terry and Col. Comstock (1/18/1865)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 1/18/1865

[Homer_J_Simpson]

[OFFICIAL.]

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Jan. 17 -- 10:40 A.M.

Maj.-Gen. J.A. Dix:

The following official dispatches have just been received at this department:

HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES ON FEDERAL POINT, N.C., Jan. 15, via FORTRESS MONROE, Jan. 17.

Brig.-Gen. J.A. Rawlins:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that Fort Fisher was carried by assault, this afternoon and evening, by Gen. AMES' division and the Second Brigade of the First Division of the Twenty-fourth Army Corps, gallantly sided by a battalion of marines and seamen from the navy. The assault was preceded by a heavy bombardment from the Federal fleet, and was made at 3:30 P.M., when the First Brigade -- CURTISS', of AMES' division-effected a lodgment upon the parapet, but full possession of the work was not obtained until 10 P.M. 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 1,200 prisoners, including Gen. WHITING and Col. LAMB, the Commandant of the fort. I regret to say that our loss is severe, especially in officers. I am not yet able to form any estimate of the number of casualties. (Signed,) ALFRED H. TERRY,

Brev. Maj.-Gen., Commanding Expedition.

FORT FISHER, Monday, Jan. 16 -- 2 o'clock A.M. After a careful reconnoissance on the 14th it was decided to risk an assault on Fort Fisher. PAINE's division with Col. ABBOTT's brigade to hold our line, already strong, across the peninsula, and facing Wilmington against HOKE, while AMES' division should assault on the west end. After three hours of heavy navy firing, the assault was made at 3 P.M. on the 15th. CURTIS' Brigade led, and as soon as it had made a lodgment on the west end

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Wilmington: Fort Fisher Carried by Assault – 2-5
Movements of the Rebel Gens. Vaughn and Breckinridge – 5
The Case of Burleigh – 5
From Savannah: Development of Union Sentiment in Georgia – 5-6
End of Blair: The Result of Mr. Blair’s Visit to Richmond – 6
Release of Mr. Foote: The Rebel Congress Recommend That He Be Discharged – 6
Our Southern Files – 6
News from Washington – 6-7
Thirty-Eighth Congress: Second Session – 7-8
Cotton at Savannah and Wilmington – 8
Editorial: Peace Discussions – 8-9
The Rebels on Wilmington – 9
Editorial: Our Victory at Wilmington – The Final and Stupendous Combinations of Grant – 9
Editorial: Jeff. Davis’ Army – 9-10
Sherman and Charleston – 10
Progress Toward Peace – 10
A Family Letter from Mr. Everett – 10
News of the Day: The Rebellion – 10
Amusements this Evening – 10
News from Albany – 10
Another Prussian Forger: United States Commissioner’s Office – 10

[AppyPappy]

The most boring Civil War fort ever. It’s just sand hills. Fort Macon was much cooler.