A single page lined letter sheet with inked manuscript dated Jan. 17th, 1865. This letter is headed ‘Head Qrts 24th A.C. Army of the James in the Field Va. Jan. 17th, 1865. By Telegram from H’d Qr Army of the James January 17, 1865’. It reads as follows: Major Genl. Gibbon 24th A.C. Fort Fisher was taken on the night of the 15th inst. By the Army; tho Navy aided on one front but did not get in, though behaved gallantly. Three (3) Brigade Commanders wounded. Custis led, wound not serious; Pennypacker next; Bell next. Salute of one hundred guns, blank cartridge will be fired at noon to-day on Bermuda front. One thousand prisoners taken, including Genl. Whiting and Col. Lunt both wounded. Turn out your Bands. (Sg’d) E.O.C. Ord Major Genl. H’d Qrs. 24th A.C. Official (S’d) Theodore Read Maj. And A.A. Genl.’ Fort Fisher was one of the few Confederate coastal forts that held out for most of the war and was vital in keeping arms and other supplies arriving from Europe, via blockade runners to the port of Wilmington, Va. The C.S.A. General William Whiting was wounded in the leg during the battle and surrendered the fort. He later died in a Union hospital from dysentery. Could not find out who C.S.A. Col. Lunt was. Major General John Gibbon was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy in 1847, served in the Mexican war and then on frontier duty, instructor at west Point, Quartermaster, and was chief of artillery in Gen. McDowell’s Division. Made Brig. Gen. of Vols. In May of 62, commanded brigade in most of the campaigns of 62-63. Was Beveted Major in the regular army for gallantry at Antietam and Lt. Col. For Fredericksburg, were he was wounded Made a full Colonel for his services at Gettysburg, where he was severely wounded while in command of the 2nd Corps. After his recovery be was assigned to a division in the 2nd Corps and made a Major Gen. of Vols. Fought at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Cold Harbor. Became commander of 24th Corps after Jan. 15, 1865 and took part in the assaults at Petersburg from June thru April of that year. He was brevetted Brigadier-General and Major-General U. S. A., March 13, 1865,
and was one of the commissioners to carry into effect the stipulations of Lee's surrender.
Major Gen. Edward O.C. Ord was educated at the West Point Military Academy, and after being graduated in 1839 was appointed a brevet second Lieutenant in the 3d U. S. artillery. He served with distinction in the Seminole war in Florida, and also in the Civil war. The battle of Dranesville, in 1861, was won under his leadership, and he was severely wounded at the battle of Hatchie Bridge and again at the assault on Fort Harrison. Having been several times promoted for gallant and meritorious conduct, he became commander of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina in 1864, and led the Army of the James in the victorious engagements that ended the war. The letter above is in the hand of Major Theodore Read, who was born in Athens, Ohio, enlisted as a Capt. In 1861 and commissioned into U.S. Vols. Adj. Genl. Dept. promoted several times, including Lt. Col & Asst. Adjutant General, and Brig. Gen. by Bevet. He was killed in action at the battle of High Bridge, Va. on April 6th, 1865, just four months after he wrote this letter.

Removed from album with paste along left margin on rear, else Fine.