These pages are dedicated to the memory of all the men from North Carolina that fought in the Civil War. Fayetteville Observer, Thursday, January 26, 1865 From the Raleigh Confederate We have received the following account, from the lips of a gentleman, who, we are sure, is as accurately informed concerning the late engagement between our forces and the enemy at Fort Fisher, as any one. The movement of the enemy was sudden, as we all know. After the previous failure, it was not anticipated that so quick a repetition of the effort would be made. General Hoke had been withdrawn towards Wilmington, or above it. On Thursday a Mr. McMillan, as our informant heard, discovered from near Topsail Sound the approach of the enemy, and sought to communicate by telegraph to General Bragg the fact; but the operator was not in a condition to send the dispatch, and it became necessary to transmit the news by a messenger. In two hours after the intelligence was received, General Hoke was on the march to confront the enemy at his point of landing. On Friday the enemy landed under cover of his fleet, near Battery Gatlin, about nine miles from Fort Fisher. While he was landing, General Hope appeared and drew up in line parallel to watch his movement s and intercept them when possible to do so. It was not possible to prevent the landing, owing to the situation of the point chosen. The enemy landed on the banks, just above the neck of the Sound, thus interposing a small surface of water between them and the attacking force, or compelling such force to circle around the lower extreme of the Sound; either of which movements would have to be done under the fire of the whole fleet. When General Hoke found this to be the situation, he established a line facing the sea, and threw out what cavalry he required (if he had it) on his right flank, towards Battery Anderson, which was down the beach towards Fort Fisher, about four miles. The intervening country here is broken, and the low places are grown up with thick bushes and are marsh. The purpose of the cavalry was to observe the movements and give the signal of the first advance of the enemy towards establishing a line across the neck of land to the river, it being the order and purpose of General Bragg to have General Bragg to have General Hoke attack him as soon as he advanced. In this condition matters rested until Friday night. During that night the enemy passing between the cavalry and threading their way through the thick marshy undergrowth, made their way to the river, and on Saturday morning General Hoke found an entrenched line on his right flank, extending across the peninsula, from the sea to or near to the river. He succeeded, however, in maintaining his base at Sugar Loaf, immediately changed his line, and informed General Bragg of the status. Then General Bragg gave the order to charge the enemy in their works. In the mean time General Hoke had made a close reconnaissance, under the fire of the enemy, and discovered the strength of their force and position. On receiving orders to charge, he communicated the result of his observations, and asked General Bragg to reconnoiter in person, which he did; and both of these officers concurred that it was not proper to assault the lines. It was then determined to reinforce the Fort; and steps were taken (balance of sentence is illegible). By this time the enemy, four thousand strong, were behind their works, and the fleet proceeded to bombard Fort Fisher, which was done uninterruptedly until Sunday about 6:00 p.m. On Sunday the column of assault, numbering about 4,000, moved from the enemy’s lines and as they advanced they were plainly visible from Fort Fisher. But her beleaguered garrison was kept close confined within the bomb proofs by the concentrated and continued fire of 700 guns, pouring torrents of shell and missiles on every spot. On the land side of Fort Fisher we had 17 guns—sufficient, could they have been used, to make it impossible that any force could have advanced under their fire. But as the line of assailants got nearer to the Fort, the whole fleet concentrated the fire, in ricochet shot, on the land side and speedily dismounted every gun; and this was kept up until the enemy’s line was in 60 yards of the works. Then it ceased and with a rush and yell the charge was made. Captain Braddey, it is said, commanded the company guarding the sally port. On him the hope of the garrison hung to keep the assailants out until the men and officers, who had been packed in the bomb proofs for 56 hours, could get out and make ready. Instead of making defense, this officer and his command, it is said, surrendered, and the enemy entered the open gate.*(See below) Our men were benumbed and exhausted, and the thing was the work of a moment. They were obliged to fall back in order to rally. Col. Lamb, with that cool precision which distinguished him as an officer of great merit, brought his men into line near headquarters, General Whiting being present, encouraging and cheering on the troops, and creating enthusiasm by his ardent and whole souled heroism. Under these inspiring influences our men were brought to the charge. The numbers were against them in the proportion of 4,000, aided by 2,000 marines, to 2,000 but they forced the enemy back on the mound and a hand to hand fight, of unmitigated desperation and fury, ensued, continuing from 7:00 to about 10:00, when braver, endurance and devotion failed to overcome numbers. Our men were overpowered and the work of assault was accomplished. But not until the enemy had paid dearly for his prize. He had not lost a man until he entered the Fort. He lost 2,000 out of the 6,000 that entered the precincts—we 500. Of the courage of our officers and men on this occasion, future tongues will speak. Foremost in that little band of noble heroes, Whiting was everywhere where peril was most besetting. His voice cheered—his spirit animated—his arm struck down the foeman’s flag. He put his life in the hollow of his hand, and held it out a free offering to his country. And he did this so gloriously that, whoever thinks of him in connection with this furious struggle, will yield to the gratification of being absorbed in contemplation of splendid courage. We are glad to learn that he is but slightly wounded, though in several places; and we mourn the fact that this faithful and true officer, Col. Lamb, is so severely injured. That he may be spared and blessed with a speedy recovery, ought to be the prayer of all our people. *Our friends of the Confederate will be glad to know that its correspondent has been misinformed in this particular. Captain Braddy and his command did their whole duty in the bloody fight. Observer Fayetteville Observer, Monday, January 23, 1865 Casualties at Fort Fisher William H. Haigh, of this place, a member of Capt. Braddy’s Artillery, captured at Fort fisher, writes that he and Corp. McArthur, A.B. Brown, H.E. Devane, Corp. Cashwell, Daniel Brown, Malcolm Brown, Thomas Ross, Sgt. Graham, were all well, on board to leave immediately for Fort Monroe—Oscar Hawley slightly wounded in face. North Carolina Standard Raleigh January 25, 1865 List of Casualties in Company D, 40th Regiment, Captain Jas. S. Lane commanding, up to Saturday night, 14th inst. (Ft. Fisher) Killed: Pte. M.P. Caton Wounded: Capt. J.S. Lane, not serious; Sgt. W.W. Briggs, slight; Jas. W. Dickson, arm broken; W.L. Edwards, shoulder, slight; Franklin Dunn, slight in arm; Alfred Basedon, slight; Thomas Bradley, severe in leg and jawbone broken The following were left on detail at Ft. Holmes: Lt. J.J. Brabble, William Daniel, J.L. Griffin, Jas. H. French, E.S. Robinson, Thomas R. Spence, W.R. Bridges Sick: Kenneth Gaither, Lewis Hudson, Alfred Warner, N.B. Howe—these were also left at Fort Holmes The balance of the company with Captain Lane were at Ft. Fisher. North Carolina Standard Raleigh Feb. 8, 1865 List of commissioned officers captured at Fort Fisher, Federal Point, N.C., by U.S. Forces under the command of Brevet Major General Alfred H. Terry on the 15th January W.H.C. Whiting, Major General, severely wounded J.H. Hill, Major, and Acting Adjutant General S.G. Hasell, Lt. and A.D.C., wounded slightly J.T.S. Reid, Lt. and Acting Adjt General The following are from the 36th N.C.V.: William Lamb, Colonel, N.C.V., severely wounded James M. Stevenson, major J.K. Brady, Captain R.J. Murphy, Captain E.B. Dudley, Captain O.H. Powell, Captain J.T. Melvin, Captain Daniel Patterson, Captain Daniel Munn, Captain 1st Lieutenants: J.Wescott, J. Soule, N. Legrand, A.V. Goodwin, Wm. Swain, G.D. Parker (also adjutant), A.McD. Jones (also Orderly Officer) Lieutenants: H.D. Williams, John Stansell, W.C. Daniel, M.W. Pridgen, W.W. McCrame, A.B. Burr (wounded slightly), Jas. Owen, C.J. Williams (wounded slightly), J.M. Cowan, H.E. Benton, J.N. Kelly, A.B. Barrow, W.W. Drew (wounded slightly), E.R. Hunter, J.J. Cain, Thomas Hickman, E.L. Faison 10th N.C. Volunteers Major James Riley Capt. E.D. Walsh Captain W. Shaw Lt. E.G. Wood, wounded severely Lt. T. Arendell Lt. Irvin Fulford Marine Corps Captain A.C. Van Benthuyson, wounded seriously First Lt. D. Bradford Lt. J.C. Murdoch Lt. J.D.B. Roberts 1st Lt. W.G. Higgins 40th N.C.V. Captains: G.C. Buchan, wounded seriously J.S. Lane, wounded slightly D.J. Clarke H.M. McBride 1st Lieutenants: C.S. Bryan, W. Hassel Lieutenants: A.J. McNair, J. M. McKinnon, A. Barrington, H.H. Hooker, J.W. Dickson, W.F. Stanley 21st S.C.V. Captains: D.G. Debese, Thomas Ford, E.B. Green, W.B. Baker, wounded slightly E.R.W. McEune, 1st Lt. and Adjutant, wounded Lieutenants: W.D. Woodbury, J.C. Clements, S.D. Sanders, H.B. White, H. Wilson, D.R. McIvor, wounded slightly, F. Sivers, W.D. Cook, wounded slightly, T.D. Zimmerman 25th S.C.V. Captains: C. Logan, J.T. Izler 1st Lt. A.J. Mines Lieutenants: J.M. Pendergrast, J. Graves, E.R. Rush, J.E. Prince, , E.J. Norris, W.D. Crotchett, W. Salters, W.W. Wise, T.F. Felder 11th S.C.V. Capt. H.K. Hucks Lt. J.P. Mims 1st Battalion N.C.V. Lieutenants H.C. Evans, T.N. Argo 13th S.C. Light Battery Capt. Z.T. Adams Lt. C.H. Latham 3rd N.C. Light Battery Capt. J.M. Sutton Lts. J.R. Powell and J.G. Frame 2nd Engineers N.C.V. 2nd Lt. U.R. Gwinn Lt. R.G. Pitman Capt., and A.C.S., C.H. Blocker Telegraph Corps Lt. Hugh Waddell, Jr. Lt. T.W. Strandell S. Singleton, Surgeon, C.S.A. D.G. Carr, J.C. Shepard, P. Bledsoe, E.J. Muirhead, Assistant Surgeons, C.S.A. Acting Assistant Surgeon William Willis, C.S.A. Assistant Surgeons C.S. Navy, W.W. Griggs, George A. Foote, J.M. Hicks Alfred H. Terry, Major General The officers not specially noted above in the list as wounded are stated by General Terry to be held uninjured or slightly wounded so as to need no surgical attention. The above is a correct copy of the list furnished by Major General Terry, commanding U.S. forces at Fort fisher. Archer Anderson, A.A.G. The Fort Fisher Prisoners The following is a list of North Carolinians confined at Baker’s Island, New York harbor, and was furnished to the Confederate by a surgeon who accompanied the prisoners. 3rd Battalion Company C W.T. Lowe, stunned; A. Cable, right arm amputated; G.W Edwards, wounded in foot; J.W. Farmer, right foot; J.J. Peel, left leg, serious; J.R. White, right foot; W.G. Ingram, left thigh; C.J. Jenkins, right arm amputated. 13th Battalion Company I J.W. Morgan, right thigh; John Davis, bronchitis; E.N. Joyner, fractured cranium; Walter Bruce, right arm amputated (died Jan. 20); Jas. Jackson, knee 1st Battalion Company D: J.D. Baker, leg (died Feb. 5); A. Blow, stunned; H. McQueen, thigh; K.B. McKimmon, right shoulder; M.D. McNeal, left thigh; J.D. Kenedy, right foot; M.T. McMillan, died of pneumonia Jan. 27; K.A. Evans, leg (died Jan. 26); R.A. Johnson, thigh; R.D. McMillan, leg Company C Daniel Hare, left arm amputated 10th N.C. Regiment L.W. Menus, Company K, flesh wound, thigh; W.T. Murphy, Company K, thigh and groin J.R. Coleman, City Battalion, typhoid fever; A. Tyson, Company B, flesh wound 36th N.C.R. Company B D.R. Perry, left arm amputated (died 19th –month illegible); E.J. Nance, left foot; D. McNorton, amputation of both legs (died Jan. 18) Company C N. Stevenson, left knee, severe; D. Mathews, right hand amputated; J.W. Autry, fractured lower jaw; J.M. Lockeman, right forearm amputated; W. Serlaner(?) Sarianer(?), right leg; J.A. Ross, fracture of upper jaw; W. Sessamas, foot and leg; L.G. Smith, left arm amputated; C.T. Jenkins, right arm amputated. Company D A.J. Wheeler, left ankle; J.H. Fisher, and D. Riley, concussion of the brain; J.H. Fisher, fractured cranium; John Riley, head; Jno Dale, hernia Company E J.B. McLean, thigh (died Jan. 29); R. Ryland, left lung; A. Strickland, left leg; Moses Tyson, arm Company F W.H. Randolph, arm, slight; E. Partin, thigh (died Feb. 7); Jno. Weaver, bowels (died Jan. 28); B. (or R.) E. Lane, head; A. Howriston, arm; B. Pope, thigh; W.C. Hardy, thigh (died Jan. 28); F.M. Happ, left ear off; J.T. Ethridge, arm; Thomas Locke, arm, severe; J. Marks, head, severe; G. P. Matthews, bowels (died Jan. 19); B. Throner, head (died Jan. 20); Jas. Milsear(?), died Jan. 21 Company G D. Bryant, left arm amputated; J.M. Mintz, shoulder; J.P. Johnson, stunned; T.W. Walton, left leg; B. Cook, wrist and thigh; Wash Biggs, thigh Company H W.C. Sutton, thigh; James Whitted; left thigh; T.A. Peterson, left shoulder, died Jan. 29 Company K H. Hickman, right arm amputated; Lt. J.S. Wascot, left hip; J.S. Milikin, head; J.O. Evans, diarrhea; T.W. Williams, catarrh; L.J. McLean, measles; S.W. Lewis, wounded in right breast 40th N.C.R. Company C N.J. Simmons, left arm Company D T.J. Bradley, arm and jaw (died Jan. 30); W. Cummings, thigh; D. Pate, right side; M.P. Seaton, head (died Jan. 19) Company E N. Jackson, right thigh Company F J.W. Brown and K. Church, fractured left thigh; F.A. Shotwell, right side; W.L. Barnes, neck Company G L. Kornegay, left thigh; W.F. Morton, back (died Jan. 26); -------- Mathewson, back; Captain Buchan, back; Sgt. S.H. Williams (died Jan. 28); C.D. Brooks, (died Feb. 5); W.t. Quinn, left thigh; H. Harris, side; J.F. Martin, right knee Company H N.R. Woody, died Feb. 7 Company C (again??—may be a misprint, see above for Company C also) B. Harrison, elbow, severe; D. Allen and D.G. Powers, amputation of left leg; J.C. Smith, left foot; G.R. Thompson, right hand; G.W. Ballantine, right leg; J.H. McLeod, thigh; S.B. Clark, left leg; J.W. Wilson, arm; W.O. Karroll, leg (died Jan. 29) |