Butler seems to have lost sight of this part of his instructions,
and was back at Fort Monroe on the 28th."*

[Footnote]
* Grant's "Memoirs," Vol. II., p. 394.
[End of Footnote]

The Admiral, however, was of a different mind from Butler
and replied to him: "I have ordered the largest vessels
to proceed off Beaufort, and fill up with ammunition, to be
ready for another attack, in case it is decided to proceed
with this matter by making other arrangements. We have not
commenced firing rapidly yet, and could keep any rebels inside
from showing their heads, until an assaulting column was within
twenty yards of the works. I wish some more young gallant
fellows had followed the officer who took the flag from the
parapet, and the brave fellow who brought the horse from the
fort. I think they would have found it an easier conquest
than is supposed."*

[Footnote]
* Ibid., Badeau, p. 318.
[End of Footnote]

"The Wilmington expedition has proven a gross and culpable
failure. Many of the troops are back here. Delays and free
talk of the object of the expedition enabled the enemy to
move troops to Wilmington to defeat it. After the expedition
started 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, will, I hope, be known."*

[Footnote]
* Ibid., p. 318.
[End of Footnote]

Grant's statement, just quoted, was made when he had heard
Butler's side of the story alone. What he thought when he
had heard the whole story will appear a little later.

Admiral Porter said, in his official dispatch: "My dispatch
of yesterday will give you an account of the operations,
but will scarcely give you an idea of my disappointment at
the conduct of the army authorities in not attempting to take
possession of the fort . . . . Had the army made a show of surrounding
it, it would have been ours; but nothing of the kind was done.
The men landed, reconnoitred, and, hearing that the enemy
were massing troops somewhere, the orders were given to reembark
. . . . There never was a fort that invited soldiers to walk
in and take possession more plainly than Fort Fisher . . . .
It can be taken at any moment in one hour's time if the right
man is sent with the troops."

On the 30th of December Grant sent this message to Porter:

"Please hold on wherever you are for a few days, and I will
endeavor to be back again, with an increased force, _and wi