When the December expedition against Fort Fisher failed, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler was relieved of command and Maj. Gen. Alfred Terry was placed in command to make another attempt to take Fort Fisher several weeks later. General Terry selected Porter to land the troops. Union Marines landed, and fought their way up the beach. Soldiers engaged at Point-blank range, and the beach was taken and the right side of the fort fell into Union hands. Then, after horrendous Melee combat on the left side, the Confederates retreated to Fort Buchanan. That Fort surrendered too and the way up the Cape Fear River was clear.