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Our Wilmington correspondence.

Wilmington, December 27, 1864.
The enemy, checkmated and defeated at all points, has abandoned the strip of ground on which he was crouching above Fort Fisher, and, under cover of his powerful fleet, re-embarked on board his transports. His monitors and numerous other ships-of war have hauled off from Fort Fisher, and, for the present at least, have abandoned the attempt to carry that stronghold. Such is the result of three days of fighting and the fiercest bombardment to which any fort or town was ever subjected. But let us take up the thread of events where my last letter left it.

As soon as the enemy's infantry had gained a foothold on the mainland, on Sunday afternoon, the 25th instant, they threw themselves across the narrow spit of on the southeastern extremity of which Fort Fisher stands, and thus got between Kirkland's brigade and the fort, while Kirkland was between them and Wilmington. They moved forward immediately against Fisher, and attempted to carry it by a coup de main; but the brave garrison, quitting their guns and taking up their muskets, easily repulsed them. A second assault was made, and with the like result; after which the enemy withdrew up the beach beyond the reach of the Confederate fire and went to work entrenching themselves under cover of their protecting fleet.--They made some prisoners among the junior reserves when they advanced down against the fort; but beyond this our less was small, being less than fifty killed and wounded. Nearly all of our casualties consist of light wounds, but few having been killed. Among the wounded was the brave Lieutenant-Colonel Read, from Savannah, of the artillery, whose left arm was torn off near the shoulder by a shell while he was sighting a gun. He was doing well this morning.

Another account states that the assaults against the fort were repulsed by the junior reserves of this State. It is certain that these youthful soldiers have played an important part in the defence of the fort, and have acquitted themselves with much credit. The fleet continued its fire until the infantry were ready to begin the assault, when, at a signal from the shore, every vessel ceased its fire, and the men on the water became spectators of the fight on the land. Very little damage was sustained by the fort, which is probably the strongest earthwork in the wold. Mortar firing was kept up against the fort throughout the night, doing no injury beyond interrupting the rest of the men. A heavy rain, accompanied by high winds, prevailed all night, and seemed to render the position of the enemy's forces on shore still more precarious.

Meanwhile reinforcements, which should have reached here sixty hours sooner, began to arrive.

The situation, though not desperate, had now become extremely critical; and consequently General Bragg determined to clear the road to Fisher and re-open communications by land with the garrison. This he succeeded in doing yesterday, as well as in pushing the enemy back upon the beach, where they were huddled together under their fleet. I neglected to say that every available man was thrown into Fisher on Sunday night, or sent down to Sugarloaf Hill, on the mainland.--All places of business were closed, and every man who could carry a musket vine sent to the field.

It was the situation of the enemy that had now become critical. Having failed to carry the fort, and having been driven back upon the beach, if a gale should set in the a few days and communication with the fleet be cut off, be must either surrender or perish for want of food. It is reported that General Bragg, comprehension their condition, ordered them to be should through the night to prevent them from receiving supplies as well as from re-embarking on board their transports. If such an order was given, it failed to accomplish its object; indeed, if it had any effect, it was only to hasten the retreat of the baffled and beaten foe, who re-embarked last night and this morning, and left the Confederates masters of the field. It was impossible to cut off-their retreat, as it was difficult to prevent their landing. Both their landing and their withdrawal were covered by the fleet, which came in near shore, and was quite as effective in protecting the movement as a large, well-manned fort.

Such is the finale of the Christmas campaign of Beast Butler and Admiral Porter. It is not supposed they have wholly abandoned their designs against North and South Carolina; but, for the present, their attack upon Wilmington and its defences is checked and baffled. It is impossible to say what has been the loss of the enemy. We know that a number of his vessels were disabled and two barges, filled with men, blown out of the water; but beyond this we are without information. Weitzel's negro division was not landed, and some of the prisoners report that Butler was at Newbern, while others say he was present before Fort Fisher. We learn from the same authority that the infantry force which assaulted Fort Fisher consisted of Ames's division, Twenty-fourth (consolidated) corps, Butler commanding.

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Benjamin F. Butler (3)
Kirkland (2)
Bragg (2)
Weitzel (1)
Read (1)
R. D. Porter (1)
Fisher (1)
Ames (1)
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December 27th, 1864 AD (1)
25th (1)
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