Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-12-22
PORTER'S EXPEDITION.
Wilmington to be Attacked-The Plan Of
Attack-StreDgth Of the Fleet-The X ebel
Fortificati0nS and Distractions.

From the N. Y. Evening Postl
Inc expeditlon against Wilmington which
is announced, has been organized by Admiral
David ID. Porter, and has been anticipated
both by the loyal people OF the North and the
rebellious citizens OF the South for some time.
Preparations for the capture of the forts de.
tending an entrance to Cape Fear river have
been in proar ress for months, but not until
about the first OF September were the officers
assigned. and measures taken to carry the de.
sired plans into execution. About that time
Admiral Porter was directed to assume com.
msnd Of the North Atlantic Blockading Squad.
ron, and he at once commenced to put his
squadron in order.
The first step taken was in perfecting the
iron clad fleet, which WAS done as speedily as
possible, and the result has produced the Die.
tator, one Of the largest vessels of her class in
the Navy; the Atlantic, one of the best pro-
ductions of rebel ingenuity; the New Ironsides,
which has never been found wanting the Mon
Hdnock, " hich was deemed go valuable q vessel
That she was at once selected as the flagship,
of the squadron, and the other iron -clads,
which VIII be OF great service in carrying out
the pians. Among the wooden vessels selected
were the Wabash, which was Admiral Du-
points flagship at the ca ture Of Port Royal;
the Minnesota, OF Monte and Merrimack re-
nown; the Colorado, the chief among the SO
gun screw frlgatss; the Brooklyn, of New Or
leans, Fickshurg and Mobile fame. The fleet
numbered, all told, sixty six vessels, and six
hundred and forty nine guns.
1t will be obssr ved, upon reference TO the
list of the vessels employed upon this expedi-
ton that quite a number Of them are blockade.
runners purchased by the government and
converted into gunboats. The choice Of these
draught, and capable OF easily threading the
intricate channels which constitute the ap-
prosch 10 The Cape Fear river.
The general plan of attack was decided upoE
short time after Admiral Porter assumed
command OF the fleet 1t was decided that tine
heavy vessels which, by reason oftheir draught
OF water, could not cross the bar, should lie of
within distance OF two miles and actively
she'll Fort Fisher, which commands the en-.
trance over New Inlet bar.
The vessels not participating in the general
DCmbaroment are TO pass up the chanrei and
over the bar into the ri yer. It Is thought that
some vessels might be lost, or so badly disabled
as torender them incapable OF offensive action,
hut the number OF the fleet employed would
prevent any disaster from such an accident
The sides OF the wooden vessels are plated
with chain armor, as were Admiral Farragut's
fleet when they passed Forts jackson and st.
Philip, and Forts Morgan and Gaines in Mo.
bile Bay. The same precaution OF Iashing the
vessels side by side will be- resorted to, if cir
cumstances will permit. While the fleet rem
deZvoused at Hampton Roads the yards, TOD.
mas,s and extra spars were sent down, boats
removed from the decks, and the vessels cleared
Tor action in the most thorough manner. Bags
hlled with sand were placed on the most yul-
neraDle parts of the decks, and i'll places 10 pro-
tecttle boilers and machinery. Ia fact every
thing that hRman ingenuity could devise has
been done 10 make the vessels shot and she'll
proof.
Wilmington stands on the left bank OF Cape
Fear river, thlrty-tiye miles from the ocean. It
has been q port OF the utmost value TO the
rebels since the breaking out of the war, and
Alter the capture OF Mobile and the closing Of
the ports ofCharleston and Savannah, has been
the principal port OF entry. The mouth OF Cape
Fear river is so situated that il has been most
difficult to blockade successfully; notwlth.
standing the vigilance Of our blockaders large
numbers of vessels have passed in and out of
the port unseen. The trade OF this port has
been immense, and is estimated az many mil.
lions of dollars. The Navy Department have
maintained the most perfect blockade possible
for distance Of twenty miles, and yet have
not been able to prevent tbe rebels, from run.
ming their ships i'll aud ougon favorable occa-
sions. Now, however, Admiral Porter will
etfectnally seal it, as Theoretically as Mobile is
sealed by ihe victories OF Farragut th -
The entrance to Cape Fear rriyer Is obstructed
by three bars, known as the "Westerp,' "Main"
and "New Inlet bars. So materially have
lnese pars changed from time to time that the
old sailing directions would be almost useless
at present for plotting purposes Still the main
features OF the channel have not changed. so
that fleet, guided by even the old landmarks,
sage affords the best facilities for entrance, and
VIII probably be used by Admiral Porter for
his M ain operations.
On Federal Point Is located the celebrated
Fort Fisher sone OF the largest earth worksof its
style in the Confederacy. Its armament is
unequalled in range OF efficiency. 1t mounts
about fifty guns, many OF the heaviest Blakely
rifles; near it are number OF small works,
called water batteries, all mounting guns of
heavy caiiber. Similar works exist opposite
Fort Fisher the guns OF which smingIe their
fire with that OF the Fort. Together these
works command distance of six miles, three
In each direction. There is formidable earth
work little further up the coast near the
Zig hthouse. the guns OF which cover the sea.
ward approach TO the New Inlet bar entrance
Near Fort Fisher, battery, placed upon an
artificial sand hill, threatens much annoyance
to oar fleet, as we'll as projectles, far on sea.
ward. z@E tsF var s {-f- 4
The entrance by the way Of New Inlet is SO
situated and guarded by heavy artillery that
vessels attempting to 60 in or run by the forts,
would be subjected to a atremendous cross fire.
The heavy frigates, whose draught or water
precludes their crossing the bar, must of neces.
sity anchor outside or sail mp and down thu
beach; or perhaps they will sail in circles AZ
did Dupont's feet at the capture of Port RovaI
By this method they weuld be enable TO keen
their guns cool, the men fresh, and at the same
time seriously interfere with the ACCURACY Of
the rebel fire. The ground over which the
heavy vessels must fight is tribe over two |
miles from Fort Fisher, Jet it is within effsc- |
I've range at moderate ele walton OF the guns. |
On Zeek's Islant, and opposite Fort Fisher, |
there is suid 70 exist small water battery. l
nine guns
The entrance BY the western bar is also well |
guarded, ana Its approaches are defended In
|he most approved manner kneWn 70 engineer.