Lieutenant Ladd commanding, and reached the Blackwater, at South Quay, at about 9 a.m. From all the information I could obtain from the citizens I was satisfied that the enemy were advance aware of our movement and on Saturday night had sent for re-enforcement, expecting a raid from Bower's Hill. I met a family of refugees near the Blackwater, who came down from Weddon, and questioned them separately and ascertained that two companies of infantry were about a mile back, on the Murfree's Depot road; also, one company of cavalry. I dismounted three companies, ordered them to move cautiously to the ferry, and seize the boat, but found the boat had been secured on the opposite side. I shelled the opposite shore vigorously, which had a tendency to cause the enemy to develop his strength, and deeming it imprudent to attempt a crossing with my small force, I returned at 10 o'clock last night; no casualties.

I captured as the ferry 3 bales of cotton, 3 horses, and 1 cart.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. F. DERN,

Captain, Commanding Detachment Third New York Cavalry .

Colonel GEORGE W. LEWIS,

Commanding Third New York Cavalry.

JANUARY 3-17, 1865.-Expedition to and capture of Fort Fisher, N. C., and its dependencies.

SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS.

Jan. 4-5, 1865.-The expedition embarks at Bermuda Landing, Va.

8, 1865.-Naval fleet under Rear-Admiral David D. Porter, and transport fleet containing expeditionary forces, arrive at rendezvous off Beaufort, N. C.

12, 1865.-Expedition, convoyed by fleet of Rear-Admiral David D Porter, sails from rendezvous off Beaufort, N. C., for Fort Fisher.

12-13, 1865.-Expedition arrives at Federal Point, N. C.

13, 1865.-Bombardment of Fort Fisher by naval fleet.

Landing of expeditionary forces.

Skirmish near Fort Fisher, N. C.

13-15, 1865.-Combined military and naval operations against Fort Fisher, N. C.

15, 1865.-Assault and capture of Fort Fisher, N. C.

16, 1865.-Explosion of powder magazine at Fort Fisher, N. C.

16-17, 1865.-Fort Caswell blown up and defensive works at Smithvill and Reeves' Point, N. C., abandoned by Confederate forces.

REPORTS, ETC.*

No. 1.-Major General Alfred H. Terry, U. S. Army, commanding U. S. Forces.

No. 2.-Organization of the U. S. Forces at Fort Fisher, N. C., January 13-15.

No. 3.-Casualties in the U. S. Forces at Fort Fisher, N. C., January 15.

No. 4.-Bvt. Brigadier General Cyrus B. Comstock, Aide-de-Camp to Lieutenant-General Grant.

No. 5.-Bvt. Brigadier General Joseph C. Abbott, Seventh New Hampshire Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, First Division, Twenty-fourth Army Corps, of operations January 15.

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* For Union naval reports see Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 4, 1865, and for report of Bvt. Brigadier General Henry L. Abbot, chief of artillery, see p.165.

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