DECEMBER 26TH
Fort Fisher remains in Confederate hands. General Butler and his troops departs for Hampton Roads.
FROM NOON TO LATE AFTERNOON Confederate General Bragg arrives at Sugar Loaf. General Hoke with Hagood's Brigade and the rest of Kirkland's men arrive later in the afternoon.
DECEMBER 27TH
Instead of overwhelming Curtis's vulnerable troops, Bragg lets them escape and they are rescued from the beach.
As the Union fleet departs, Lamb orders Fort Fisher to fire one last defiant parting shot.
NIGHT The steamer Wild Rover runs the blockade at New Inlet.
Whiting and Lamb are irate with Bragg for doing nothing. Grant and Welles are infuriated to learn of the expedition's failure.
DECEMBER 28TH
MORNING The steamer Banshee runs the blockade at New Inlet.
5:30 PM-- Lincoln asks Grant, "If there be no objection, please tell me what you now understand of the Wilmington expedition, present and prospective."
Grant replies: "The Wilmington expedition has proven a gross and culpable failure. Many of the troops are now back here [in Virginia]. Delays and free talk of the object of the expedition enabled the enemy to move troops to Wilmington to defeat it. After the expedition sailed from Fort Monroe three days of fine weather were squandered, during which the enemy was without a force to protect himself. Who is to blame I hope will be known."
So, First Time Wasn't the Charm. --Old B-Runner
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