New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-12-31

NT-~E~
monitors of which there four the feet as near
the shere as it was desirable to place them.
Soon after 70 o'clock the wind died away. the .ky
cleared up and the sun shone out brightly. giving
promise of fine afternoon. The sight at this hour was
imposing Seward the vast fleet; it steamed slowly
but malestcally in to the engagement. presented an
aspect O. unusual interest; while the forcstcrowned
shore. fringed with its long line Of snowwhito beach,
upon which the blue waves Of the wide Atlantic dashed
with low snen roar added fresh charms to the scene
Precisely at 1916 O'clock the Ironsdes opened fire on
For, Fisher from one of her linch guns at distance
Of mile. This almost Immediately allowed
by a shot from the Monadnock.
The smoke from these powerful guns had scarcely
disappeared when bright dash shot from one OF the
cmbrasures of the Rere fort and every eye on board
turned TO watch its eject Tie elevation of the gun
must have been very great the shot fell far beyond
the furhest vessel in the feet throwing up the spray in
sl directions. The eDgasemel soon became general
The Iror sides and t1e monitors onsdnock and Maho-
keeping up continuous FIRE supported at intervals
by The frgaes Minnesota Colorado aud the sloops OF
war Mohcan and Tuscarora as rapidly they formed
in line. At 20 tho Wabash took up her appointed po-
siton Just astern Of the Tuscarora and lmmeuiatey
afterward fred her first shot
some cause or other mad been delayed in getting into
line steamed up ahead OF the little feet OF monitors,
aud took position ipme iiatey inside the Ironsides
the gigantic black hull Of this formidable vessel forming
striking contrast 10 the ndisnot outline OF the Can
onicus, which but for its green chimneys- coud
scarcely be recognized in the aeet. The Canonicus
soon made up for lost time however. Immediately On
getting her broadsde clear of the Ionsdes she opened
IL. l,rs oh f,ld "
effect the fl ST striking tho eastern slope of the para
pet the second lighting inside the fort and as nearly
as could be ascertsn-j right in front Of the flag
staff.
This terrible fen dslt,r had TIE desired effect upon
the garrison Fort Fisher driving them TO the friendly
cover OF their bomb proofs. There they probably deemed
il the better part OF valor TO remain until nightia
when our csnnonnding ceased, for they did not fire
another shot during the day. They were evidently
either short of ammunition their gunners found The
fort 100 hot TO hold taom under the terrible shower Of
sho, and shell which the repeated brondsdes from onl
fleet threw into that work.
ATE rninrtos past two O'Clock tie barracks and I'D
acent buildings 20 the left ard rear of Fort Fisher were
discovered 10 be or fire. ard soon dense columns o.
smoke, with now and then bright flashes OF fame burst
forth from the doomed spot our brave boys in the fleet
cheering vocerously Up 10 this time the range OF o
shots had been rather short mGny--I think may say
maiorityof the balls and shells striking tho water
hundred yards or more seward Of the fort. II nov
rapidly improved particularly in the case OF tue Iron
sides aud the monitors which had been longest in th'
engagement The gunners In these formidable vessels
had evidently got the desired range and elevation io
their pieces and now oloycd them with signal sue
cess.
II.E Al Hrf,.l ltu hiatt III
were row all in position pleting the main line o.
battle; while the Seneca. Shenandoah Ticonderoga
Mackinsw, Yantic and Kansas formed line immedi
aey in the rear Of these gates and covered the space
between them Another line 20 the south and east o
this main line smosg the more prominent OF which
we're the For jackson. Santiago dc Cuba. Osceols
Chippewa ana ras,---~.- agioky formed In ;ht
order laid down in the chart plan Of the engagement
almost Immediately front Of Fort Fisher. IL was nov
2 30 O'Clock The scene presented by the fleet at Thu
point vGs really grand Such sight venture to say
has never been Witnessed this continent; The who
line, upward Of three dles in length-consisting o
frgaes sloops monitors 'oublcenders, AMI many yes
sells q war for which the 'ocsbulary Of modern nsya
architecture hnds dstii i've appelationisenga
az once in a concentrating ire upon Fort Fisher ANT
tho batteries immediately its left.
| The Mound or battery ub. with the exception o
four shots the early part the attack had remained
silent up 70 this time The Monticello now steam
past the Ssssacus and engages the grin. oarhuork M
loved by the Sassacus herself Their combined fire
with 81 occasional shot from the Keystone State and
the Quaker City soon silenced the Mound guns, u
which there only two mounted, not, however unit
they fired shot which struck tho Mackinaws boiler
er ploding il and scalding ten Of her crew.
Shortly after 3 clock lie flag the Mound Battery
was struck down by q shot from the Quaker City. II
was Immediately replaced by another. which quickly
met with similar fate nom o shot fired by another
vessel the name OF which 7 wac unable 20 learn
Thrice Wa. the flag on the Mo,.nd shot away during
this memorable afternoon and AS often wes il replaced
tits now O'Clock spd the caunonading hss reached
its highest The Admiral is determined "a show bis
1a as freely possible before night closes in. The
ar "a literally fled With whislng shot and bursting
shells Dense clguds o. smoke roll away 10 tho East
enyeopng the large vessel. which lay the extreme
eft OF the line as with cloud. Fort Fisher 10 stii
silent.
The ca,ema.ed ard open batteries between the fori
and the mound Of which there ve either silent
or reply feebly and q: loag intervals. Tho Mound IL
silent ~ the grave. NOW l. the time for
the assault" is on every tongue Where ara the
treopsi Under the impression which everywhere
prevailed and IN which Admiral Porter also
seems to have Joined. that the troops would
lard and make The assault to-day the Fort jackson and
Santiago do Cuba bad proceeded up the coast Tar a.
Flag Hill Point Battery distance Of nearly fouT miller,
ard sselied the adjacent woods in every direction IL
order n drive cat any OF tho eneys troops ths, might
be snb,.shed there BET Llet with 10 response little
before sundowu the Ben Deford, WITH General Butler
board accom- panied by fav the transports, came