We have been appealed to by friends in various quarters to publish the two following papers on the fall of
.
's letter to his brother, written just after the event, and published for the first time in the daily papers last year — and the reply of
when it fell.
While always regretting controversies between Confederates--and having it distinctly understood that we are not responsible for statements or sentiments of papers which we publish with responsible names attached — it is, perhaps proper that we should print, without note or comment of our own, these two papers on a most interesting and important event of the war.
Your very kind note of the 13th only reached me this morning, but we are none the less grateful.
The unexpected blow which has fallen upon us is almost stunning, but it shall not impair my efforts.
Two hours before hearing of the certain fall of the fort I felt as confident as ever man did of successfully defending it. The responsibility is all mine, of course, and I shall bear it as resolutely as possible, but time will make known some matters which may as well be told you now in confidence.
No human power could have prevented the enemy from landing, covered as he was by a fleet of ships carrying six hundred heavy guns.
Anywhere beyond the range of our heavy guns on the fort our land force could not approach him. Once landed, our only chance was to keep him, if possible, from the fort.
With less than half his numbers, had we extended far enough towards the fort to prevent his movement that way, he could have crossed the narrow peninsula north of us and cut us off entirely, when the fort and all must have gone.
The land is heavily timbered and very swampy.
We then confronted him as closely as possible to watch his movements and endeavor to strike if he moved from under his shipping.
A dense swamp lay between us and extended three miles towards
Fort Fisher.
In this position I found the two forces when I reached
General Hoke, and took the command just at night on Friday.
Cavalry was on our extended right towards
Fort Fisher, and occupying ground entirely to the sea, placing us between the enemy and the fort for observation.
These were to report any movement, and the troops lay upon their
