Dec. 26th, Butler and army depart for Hampton Roads, Va. Bragg and Hoke reach Sugar Loaf.
Today, Dec. 27th-- Bragg allows the soldiers on the beach to escape. As the fleet sails away, Col. Lamb has the garrison fire a defiant parting volley.
At night, the blockade-runner Wild Rover runs the blockade into New Inlet. Business as usual resumes. Lamb and Whiting greatly dissatisfied with Bragg's inactivity.
Grant and Sec. of Navy Gideon Welles are infuriated to learn of the failure.
A Much-Needed Confederate Victory. But Would Have Been Better With the Capture of the "Abandoned" Troops. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
