Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 26.djvu/178

 168 Southern Historical Society Papers.

wound was most painful, yet he never murmured, never complained, and was always cheerful. His wants were attended to by his Chief of Staff, Major Hill, and one of his aides, a lieutenant, whose name I cannot recall. I attended to the wants of Colonel Lamb, and as an illustration of General Whiting's consideration, and his gentleness of disposition, I remember that, seeing that I was greatly fatigued from want of rest, he directed the lieutenant to ' Relieve that boy, and let him have some rest,' which was done, and I enjoyed a long, sweet slumber, which greatly refreshed me.

"While in prison, he was in separate quarters from other priso- ners, and desired to know how they were getting on. He got per- mission for me to visit him, after a little incident that had occurred between the commanding officer at Governor's Island and myself. He was much pleased with it, and brevetted me a lieutenant. At that time there was every indication that he would recover. His death was a great surprise a shock.

"He was the soul of honor; none braver, none more gentle. North Carolina may well feel proud of her adopted son."

In the trying hours, previous to the last battle, in the extremity of his anxiety for the fate of the fort, and with it that of Lee's army and the cause, he telegraphed the Secretary of War, and received the following dispatch, which places the responsibility of failure where it belongs:

"January /j, 1865, RICHMOND, VA.

"GENERAL W. H. C. WHITING.

"Your superior in rank, General Bragg, is charged with the command and defence of Wilmington.

"J. A. SEDDON,

"Secretary of War"

The following is the official report of Major-General Whiting of the operations of January i5th:

" FORT FISHER, January /<?, 1865. "GENERAL R. E. LEE,

' ' Commanding Armies Confederate States:

"General, I am sorry to have to inform you, as a prisoner of

war, of the taking of Fort Fisher on the night of the isth instant,

after an assault of unprecedented Jury, both by sea and land, lasting

from Friday morning until Sunday night.

"On Thursday night, the enemy's fleet was reported off the fort.