Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-12-29
THE PLAN OF FATTACK-UNoFFICIAL DETAILS

THE PLAN OF CK-UNoFFICIAL DETAILS.
correspondent of the Baltimore American who ac-
companed the feet of Admiral Porter writing from the
steamer Santiago de Cuba off Beaufort in advance of the
direct movement upon Wilmington, gives interesting
particulars to the composition of the naval and land
forces and of the plan of attack which have not before
obtained publicity
already known that the entire expedition is under
the command of Rear Admiral David D. Porter, whose
feet consists of nearly hundred and fifty vessels Of all
descriptions, including army transports tenders &c. The
naval feet comprises about xyve vessels and
gate 59l guns The operating land force numbering
about ten thousand men, is under command of Gen But
Ter. The letter proceeds as follows
THE POINT ATTACK
1t proposed to operations upon the for6
cations at Inlet the eastern entrance of Cane Fear
river. The main point Of attack is Federal Point the
narrow strip of land which bounds the north side of New
Inlet and forms part Of the east bank Of Cape Fear river
Federal Point a held by series of works the possession
of which will at give command of Cape Fear river
and virtually close up the port Of Wilmington and by cut
ting of Fort Caswe which stands the mouth of the
river render its possession by the rebels longer of any
avail. Hence the Importance of selecting New Inlet as
| the point of attack.
| The principal works commanding New Inlet are along
the shore of Federal Point the strongest being Fort
Fisher casemaed earthwOrk of great power mounting
supposed, thirty heavy guns of them rifles
having range OF over three miles. his work stands
about two hundred yards from the shore Following the
line Of the shore for about threequarers of mile in
southwest direction from Fort Fisher runs line OF bat
teries five n number connected by nfe-pits. Three Of
these batteries casemaed and two open The num-
Der Of guns mounted in them is not known but some of
them rifles Of long range Some three hundred yards
northwest Of the this line of batteries stands
what is designated Battery Lamb Mound Battery
called from its formation it being artificial mound Of
earth forty feet high mounting two large guns which
are prominent objects 10 the eye. lighthouse is also
stationed on this mound which is doubte,s of great a
tance TO the bl ckade-runuers in making the Inlet at
night The mound thrown up, is supposed for the
purpose of ootsnlug an elevation from which to throw
pungng shot any Of light drauRht monitors should
they attempt to up the channel TIE guns of this
battery command the main channel whilst most Of the
guns Of Fort Fisher and Of the Intervening batteries
nsnd only the main chaqpel but also the Swssh chan
mel which close along the beach ia northeast drec-
on The latter work stands about at the OF the
i SWash channel.
About two miles southeast from Fort Fisher on Zeekes
Island which forms the southern shore Of N,w Inlet s
another battery Of some strength but Fort Fisher aud
acent works are evidently the key TO the position; and
Federal Point once in our hauds farewell TO blockade
ranning, at least so far as Wilmington is concerned
| THE PLAN OF ATTACK.
Notwithstanding the evident strength Of their works il
confidently believed that they cannot long Withstand
the terrible fire that be brought To bear upon them
The combined armament Of the feet numbers fully FIVE
hundred and ninety guns most OF them of the largest
oabre and carrying weight Of metal safe to say unpre-
sedented in the annals OF naval warfare At least two
hundred guns be brought to bear time upon the
works.
About three or four miles up the beach from Fort Fish
is small battery called Half Moon Battery '
numbering tRo three guns, but doubtless il can
offer very little resistance.
IL s not known definitely where the troops will land
probably near this point Myrtle Inlet or Masonboro
Inlet the latter fourteen miles from New Inlet and the
former about seven.
THE IaoN.CLAD FLEET.
The iron cad feet, led by the gste Ironsdes and ac
companied by the gunboats acting their tenders will
approach Fort sher from the northeast standing close
shore the Swasb channel until they come within three.
quarters OF mile of the fort that point "A the
depth Of the water will permit-the Ironsdes standing
line bows on convenient distances behind the rgate
In this position they will fire. the land at the Tebe
stronghold.
THE WOODEN SHIPS
The frgaes sloops ofar ani other larger yesse vvii
move shorr, forming crescent shaped line Of haiti.
about mile from the forts near TO the enemvs
works as possible, aud pour their concentrated batteries
into the forts a la Farraeut.
Our wooden hus have been actively prenarpo or this
6sht for time. Chain armo" splIaer MEETINGS
vessels and protect them and their crews as r posi-
bic, from the enemys guns, have been adopted and IL
hoped we shall have another great naval victory
chronicle.
ii THE LAND FORCE.
The troops composing the land force are under COM
maud of Major Gen Butler composed Of the fret division
of the Tweuty-6fh and second division Of the Twenty.
fourth Corps and embarked board the following
named transports De Worley, Charles Thomas Weybos
sell Pent, Idaho, l.. Moore, Baltic Haze Empire CITY
Admiral Dupont Montauk, III. Liyppston. Iohn Rica