but his brave wife had been so undisturbed by the news,

that she had fallen asleep and no preparations for a retreat

had been made. Precious hours had been lost, and as

the fleet would soon be shelling the beach and her husband

have to return to the fort, he hurried them into the boat as

soon as dressed, with only what could be gathered up

hastily, leaving dresses, toys, and household articles to fall

into the hands of the foe.

The extraordinary circumstance occurred yesterday of

a visit to Fort Fisher by General N. M. Curtis and Colonel