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

Whatever the operations of the previous day may
have failed to do they certainly snee1dsd IN ono m
porant psrticular-thsy completely senced the Rebel
batteries. Whether tbs fact il to be taken as an evi
denoe of weakness their part or that the Fort was
sufficiently disabled to render successful assault prob
able OF practicable, IL not question Tor me 70
determine. That the assault was made. or rather At
tempted Is matter Of history and desire brieny 70
recite the manner in which 1t was done.
IL was now known that all the transports had arrived
withn sight Of tho feet and interview was had be
tween Gems Butler and Wszel and Admiral Porter on
board Malvern at which 1t was decided that the lat
should engage the forts again as on the previous
day. while the troops were landed under cover OF the
rnuboats at poiLt on the coast Flag Point Bat
terry, which IL north OF Fort Fisher about 81 miles.
Day dawned through dense fog which shut out the
shore from view. and II was not until nearly
o'clock that the vessels which lay at anchor near rs
could be distinguished. The light wind OF the previous
evening had died away and the barber now presented
the appearance OF s CLASSY lake the surface az lar
us the eye could penetrate tho mist dotted with all the
fantastic ancies Of the mirage behind this fog to the
west at the distance IF two miles we knew brstlcd the
iron teeth OF the Rebel batteries, and fannted the
traitor flag and all board Joined with one accord In
IN wish that the would slime out and clear
the prospect that might once more get TO WORK.
Nine O'Clock. signal from the Admiral to weigh On
chor was received and Immediately carried ont.
Early in the day the monitor saagus. which did moi
take her place the line onhe 2ith came up and TOOK
position preparatory TO going into action.
At 10 O'Clock the feet moved up in about TIE same
order that wa, observed the day previous. taking
position yards nearer 20 the fort. The Santiago
lie Cuba, followed by the Che-okee, Vance, Alabama
Oar puel linz
Yantio and Britannia steamed up the beach to point
three miles from Fort Fisher and commenced Smelling
the woods in order 30 secure landing for the troops
Soon after 10 o'clock the redoubtabo Iron.idcs moved
up " her old position the fort and prescnsed the
compliments Of the season In the shape oi full broad
side. courtesy which the Johnnys did rot seeIu to
appreciate, AS they made no reply.
Every shot from the ronsidss and her consrts. Oh.
monitors strike in and around the iot burst in mid
mir over tho works columns of sand and earth are mo-
lpentarlv THROWN Fort Fisher still remains silent
What can be the,causci Are they indeed too much
damaged by what they have already passed through. or
is il that they rely confdsnty upon the strength OF the
earthen barriers that they 10 not deem i worth while
to risk their fire in a,tcmp, 10 Iepe the assaults OF
the feet With the aid Of good glass no sign OF lfc
can be seen In about the works.
| The Few shots they have fred iAr appeal 10 havo
mainly come from or two OF their oasemhtcs which
Are 40 hidden and NAKED to be scarcely dscernbe
The mound battery and the intervening vser batteries
are likewise silent; the two grer' guns on the mound
can be plainly from the deck Of steamer With
tall flagstaff between them. Whatever garrison there
may b. there. they rarely show themselves. About
noon tho Minnesota Colorado Wabash and Brooklyn,
and other large vessels get into position, aud add the
weigh, Of their ponderous batt.re. N the attach.
The firing Is Tar accurate than GA Yesterday
indeed IL could not be better \ perfect empes, Of
projeciilss u eepng over into aud around the enc
mys work. throwing up columns Of dGst and sand -
they strike tho edge of the cnbrasuro or plough up the
face aud sides Of bastionG IL is vory eFlGent tina,
flesh and blood endure the terrible -crm that
beats upon these ramparts AMI 70 Fisher Is tscsd
silent.
The "wooden Walls" a, the f,igaiss are called con.
timed ~ keep up pretty continuous fire upon Fort
Fisher and the adjoining works, bu, without eciting
any reply Beyondi ths nothing worthy OF note oc-
Cured until 1880 when the Admiral doubtless tired
Of such long range practice ordered souDdng to be-
made nearer shore and within tho line Of battle. A
al instance OF how materially tho channels and inlets
to the Interior this affected BY the accre
tom Of sand owing under and other causes
and consequently how utterly untrgs:vorhy ARE many
Of tho old charts aud maps 10 In navy.
mar state that whore the original chanel laid
down In the chart IS shallow bar fonnd.
Lieat ". Is. Cushing Of Albemars notOriety. and
known the feet over as Torpedo Cushing. was
placed in charge OF the sounding Ierpeditiop. Now
was witnessed an exciting A little boa, manned
with twelve men, pits ont from the vessel and goes
within hundred yards OF the fort which shows its
teeth immediately Near nearer the shot fe but never
none struck the little craft Balls dropped ahead sstern
and all round her, but the gallant crew A,ld their
way. SoJn Tie boat ~turas urhsrnod after fulfilling
tho object OF its mission.
Shortly before one O'Clock, tie JssoO. and number
Of other double enders are dispatched by order Of dm
raj Porter 10 drag tho channel between Fort Fisher
and tbs Mound for torpedocs They steam gradually
mp the channel passing within three quarters Of milo
Of the batteries delivering their fire in fine svls When
lust ab.eas. Of the fort cutter il observed pn,hing
out from ID. eide o. tho Little Ada. and other small
boass are seen leaving the other gunSoa,s passing
out " tbe ehanue one boat belongng.to the Tacony
was sunk b. shol from the Mound bs,tery. and
in IL had both legs cut on The brsye fellows still KEEP,
a. thsir work. however. ard did moi .etra 10 The ship
till their duty WA performed.
We row change tho scene further up the coast. By
TWO ooIook the transports Lad Ill steamed 10 within
short distance Of the beach the position he'd by
the eunbost1 This at Fishers Point, at ths lox0r
end Of Myitle Bay 3. miles from the fort.
Gen Butler then ocrn nuncated with Capt u. b. CHS
son OF the Ssnis 20 do Cubs. who bad charge " the
decentralization, and arrangements were made "
which bost we're sent !rom the various naval vessls 70
the transports take toe troops shore. There were
storethsr iorty-ons boats engaged. three Of which
frpa tbs santiago de Cuba from The BItAu.