The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-12-30
FROM WASHINGTON.
ADMIRAL 5PORTER'S REPORT.
Acctdest from the bursting of
Cams osa the Fleet.
FEDERAL TROOPS 70 BE SENT HOME.
The BOmbardment to be Resumed.

= e.. i do tEs4 fr..lf
,aiiso s'uwesa . WASHINGTON, Dec. 20. =
Admiral Porters report OF operations at
Wilmingtonhas been received at Navy Depart
ments Attack was opened ON 24th with all
the iron clads and heavy vessels of the fleet,
the smaller vessels being held In reserve.dl sat
Previous to making the attack, q torpedo on
large scale, supposed to contain enough TO
explode the magazines of fort Fisher, was care
fully prepared, and exploded under the walls
Of The fort. Great results were expected from
chis experiment. The boat selected for this
purpose was the Louisiana disguised as block
ader. An explosion occurred at a quarter be-
fore two, q. M, of 24th, but was nothing like
what was expected. At daylight, the feet
moved in, and at IL 80 the attack commenced
The firing of the feet was magnificent The
hre OF the fort was speedily silenced, and
the enemy driven to bomb proofs. Two mag
azines were blown up, several buildings set on
IRE. During the heaviest of the lombard
ment, 115 shots per minute were fred. The
enemy was silenced so quick that no one was
injured on board the feet from their guns.
Five 100-pounder Parrot guns in the feet ex-
,ploded, killing and wounding 81 officers and
men,. These explosions were on the Ticonde-
roga, Zantic, Levianta, Mackinaw, Quaker CT
ty, and Susquehana, and were attributed to
the defective character Of the guns The
MackinaW was perforated in her boiler, and
had ten persons scalded. The Osceia was
struck near her magazine, and made water
rapidly; but was saved through the exertions
of her officers and men, Officers and men
! came out Of the action with contempt for rebel
artillery, and were anxious to renew the fight
in the morning. On the q tn, transports had
arrived, and conference was held, and plan
decided upon for the attack. 1t was decided
that the feet should renew the attack, while
the army landed, and made an assault. Seven
teen gunboats were sent to cover the landing
Of the troops, who were rapidly thrown on
shore. q '5s 4.-3of afs ~, ~ 80, M I
Smelling resumed at z q. m. on the 18th,
firing being quite slow, with the design of
amusing the enemy while troops assaulted the
fort. The enemy fred but few shots. IS
Point Of landing was five miles east of the
feet. About 5000 troops were landed and
moved to within six hundred yards Of fort
Fisher. One officer assembled the parapet and
broughts away the flag. A soldier lead out
horse, killing the orderly riding him, and
brought off his dispatches. Another fired his
gun into bomb proof among the rebels. B b
Several of our men were wounded by on
own shells. Fit - f5 55f-s's 14s5s ..,,s vi " "
Gen. WeitzeI sent word that an assault was
impracticabIe. a1Ho-df sal5s1s,s v59w
The army landed about 2 O'Clock, and COM
menced re embarking at 5 p. N. One brigade
staying on shore during the night, covered by
the gunboats. 9 g 71.lw OYER 8.
Sixty-fve rebel soldiers surrendered as our
troops landed, and 200 more gave themselves
up to small accommodating party. Loss of
our land forces not stated. After usual COM
gpliment TO his officers, Admiral Porter closes
by saying there are about 1000 men left on
shore by the army, who have not got off on
account of the surf. These will be taken off
In the morning, and the soldiers then be sent
hOme.- 10 '4s-a "a hNb4a Il AAa9 tsltt LEA