Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-01-18

sea BlOIt lEOm Tape rear AtNeEs ABOUT q
mile IL, parallel with the beach II
the meantime the iron clads move into
position directly in front Of Fort Fisher,
the ironsides about 81 miles aud the
uonitors about half q mile of, IN the
following order New Ironsides, 20 guns,
Monadock, 4 guns, Sasgus, , guns
Convivicus, ? guns; Mahopee, guns
Before they got into position the fort
opened on them, but they secured their
anchorage, when, at $50, the lronsides
opened on the fort and was followed by
the Monitors, with their tremendous
shells. Every shot landed in embras-
ures, and exploding threw clouds Of
sand high into the air. The fort occa-
sionsIly responded, bat did not send
more than a she'll every ten minutes,
and at times found it impossible to work
their guns
At9 O'Clock the boats feet were called
away TO assist in landing troops The
woods had, in the meantime, been thor
oaghly shelled AID no enemy had ap-
peared Transpor we're enabled to 90
within half a mile of shore, and we're
soon surrounded BY no less than 200
boats supplied from ell the vessels Of
the feet. Several tugs also joined IN
the work and carried soldiers to within
100 yardsof the beach, where they were
transferred to small boats Tools and
camps we're also landed, with several
days provisions for the entire force, 500
strong.
At 9 o'clock boats moved from all the
transports for the shore, and in few
minutes 500 men stepped ashore and
planted the flag on one Of the highest
hills amid cheering from the transports
and feet Not q sign Of the enemy al
this time in any direction.
At 10 o clock, about 500 troops having
been landed, a skirmish line was
sent forward on the beach
Admiral Porter signalled Captain
GIisson, commanding the Saratoga, to
20 with bis ganboats on each side of the
line Of the frigAtss and she'll the beach
in advance Of the skirmishers. The
woods in advance of the pickets was
thoroughly shelled out 10 within half
mile Of Fort Fisher The firing on the
tort from the monitors aud ironclads
was q magnificent sight From : q. N.
up 70 p. m. the monitors poured their
murssrous shells at the rate OF four per
minute. The whole number thrown IN
during that time vas about two thons-
and. Every shot struck the embrasuFe
or parapet Of the fort, and the gunnery
exhibited was never surpassed. During
this time the fort probably threw three
hundred shells in return, but the diff
Guilty they had in moving their guns amid
The explosions Of our shells and clouds
of sand that constantly enveloped their
works from our we'll directed shots that
il doubtless marred their suunars rs
most Of their shells struck beyond or
short Of Gheir marks all Of our vessels,
however, received honorable scars in the
fight The damage done 10 the fort, by
outward appearances, was most distinct.
This evening the troops have advanced
up to within about mile and a halt Of
Fort Fisher, their camp fires extending
down the beach more than q mile. An
order has been received from thu Admi-
rAl--it being impossible to bring our
division into the fight, the room being
too eontrseted--to proceed into shore to
cover the encAmpmcuts Of the troops
from any assault BY Bragg from vii
mington The troops, as ] learn from
officers, are in high spirits and anxious
10 be led forward to assault the fort
The announcement received here to-
day that Gen. Butler bad been removed,
caused great rejoicing throughout the
asel.
Some good shooting was made BY the
rebels, and all the ironsides have nu-
msroua indeztations in their Armors and
psrforations 10 their smoke stacks.
Saturday, Jan i4.-AnotheF bright
day.
A number OF troops advanced during
the night to the abandoned rebel fort
Anderson nov holds tbs whole breadth
Of the Peninsula to Cape Fear river. Up
20 this time nothing has been done this
morning The monitors are lying qai
eily with the irensidss under the guns
Of Fort Fisher. Not 9 shot has been
exchanged since 4 O'Clock. a gun
burst on the MAhopee yesterday morn
ing, slightly wounding two officers, and
Que man HtTlOAhtfs AAen1 AFc AAN 1At
casualties in the feet
p m.-The division Of wooden yes
sells are in short range Of the fort, and
are firing rapidly upon it but eliciting
no reply.
I must close here, rs the steamer is
about TO leave with dispatches for Fort
ress Monroe.
Friday l3. -. Before the commence
ment of active operations this morning
the following order, from Admiral Por
ter, was read on the quarterback Of the
Santiago DeCuba, BY the ex.ofioer Of
Of she flagship:
January l4'-Before going into sc
ton, the commander Of each vessel will
detail as many OF the men as he can
spare from the guns as landing party,
that We have a share In the assault,
when il takes place. Boats will be kept
ready lowered near the water on the Of
side Of the vessel The sailors will be
armed with cutlasses, well sharpened,
and with reviewers. When the signal
is made to man the boats, the men viii
get in, but will not show themselves
When the signal is made to assault
the boats will pail towards the stern OF
the monitors or land abreast Of them,
and board the FIRST in lhe river in a sea-
msaIike way. The marines viii form
in the rear and cover the sailors, whilst
the soldiers are going over the parapet
IN front The sailors will take the sea
force of Fort Fisher We can laEd 2,0OC
men from the feet and not miss them
1900 active men from the feet win car
ry the-day.
| (Signed) D. d. PORTER,
Rear AdmL