Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

[1115] re-embarkation, or even the sending of supplies ashore, impossible. I lay by the shore until eleven o'clock the next day, Monday, the 26th, when, having made all proper dispositions for getting the troops on board, I gave orders to the transport fleet, as fast as they were ready, to sail for Fortress Monroe, in obedience to my instructions from the lieutenant-general.

I learned, from deserters and prisoners captured, that the supposition upon which the lieutenant-general directed the expedition, that Wilmington had been denuded of troops to oppose General Sherman, was correct. That at the time when the army arrived off Wilmington, there were less than four hundred men in the garrison of Fort Fisher, and less than a thousand within twenty miles.

But the delay of three days of good weather, the 16th, 17th, and 18th, waiting for the arrival of the navy, and the further delay from the terrible storm of the 21st, 22d, and 23d, gave time for troops to be brought from Richmond, three divisions of which were either there or on the road.

The instructions of the lieutenant-general to me did not contemplate a siege; I had neither siege trains nor supplies for such a contingency.

The exigency of possible delay, for which the foresight of the commander of the armies had provided, had arisen, to wit: the larger reinforcement of the garrison. This, together with the fact that the navy had exhausted their supply of ammunition in the bombardment, left me with no alternative but to return with my troops to the Army of the James.

The loss of the opportunity of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the 16th, 17th, and 18th, was the immediate cause of the failure of the expedition.

It is not my province even to suggest blame to the navy for their delay of four days at Beaufort. I know none of the reasons which do or do not justify it. It is to be presumed they are sufficient.

I am happy to bring to the attention of the lieutenant-general the excellent behavior of the troops, both officers and men, which was all that could be desired.

I am under special obligations to Captain Glisson, of the Santiago de Cuba, for the able and efficient manner in which he covered our landing; to Captain Alden, of the Brooklyn, for his prompt assistance and the excellent gunnery with which the Brooklyn cleared the shores of all opposers at the moment of debarkation. Lieutenant Farquhar, of the navy, having in charge the navy boats which assisted in the landing, deserves great credit for the energy and skill with which he managed the boats through the rolling surf. Especial commendation is due to Brigadier-General Graham and the officers and men of his naval brigade, for the organization of his boats and crews for landing, and the untiring energy and industry with which they all labored in re-embarking the troops during the stormy night of the 25th and the days following. For this and other meritorious services during the campaign since the first of May, which have heretofore been brought to the notice of the lieutenant-general in my official reports, I would respectfully but earnestly recommend General Graham for promotion.

The number of prisoners captured by us was three hundred, including twelve officers, two heavy rifled guns, two light guns, and six caissons.