Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-01-18

Ploding threw clouds of dust high int
the air. The fort occasionally responded
put did not send more than one shot il
every ten minutes. So rapid was our fire
that they found it impossible to work
their guns.
at o'clock the boats of the fleet were
called away to assist in landing the troops.
me woods had in the meanwhile been
thoroughly shelled and no enemy appear
go. The transports were enabled to 90
within half mile of the shore, and they
we're surrounded by not less than two
hundred boats, supplied from all the ves-
sells OF the feet. Several tugs also Joined
IN the work, and carried the soldiers to
within 100 yards of the beach, where they
were transferred to the boats. The tents
ana camp equipage were also landed, with
several days rations for the entire CORPS,
AT O'Clock the boats from all the trans
ports moved for shore, and in few min.
ptes the first 500 men stepped on the
beach and planted their regimental flag on
one of the highest sand bills, amid cheers
from the transports and feet.
Nothing of any enemy could be seen at
this time in asy direction. At 10 O'Clock
about 1000 troops having been landed, a
skirmish line was sen: forward on the
beach. During this eime the Fort proba.
oily threw 3OOshells in return, but the diff =.
Guilty they had in working their guns amid
the explosion of our shells and the clouds
OF sand that constantly enveloped the
works from our we'll directed shots, doubt
less msrred their gunuery. Most of their
smells struck beyond or short of the mark,
All OF our vessels, however, received hon
CRADLE scars in the fight. The damage to
the Fort by outward appearances was most
distinct About 4 o'clock dense and con.
tinued smoke from the inside of the Fort
indicated that some of the rebel huts had
been fired. At o'clock the Admiral sig
nailed to the vessels in line of battle, No.
l. to take the position marked out for
them on the chart, and join in the bonn
oardment. Following rapidly was an order
TO the line of battle No. to take position
and join in the bombardment. It imme-
diately moved forward, presenting an array
OF the largest vessels in the service, a
magnificent spectacle Of old wooden walls
with their pondrous ornaments.
AT 20 minutes TO o'clock these two i'm
mense divisions, carrying 3l2 guns, in adj
dition to the iron clads, Joined in a grand
cannonade. The number of shots fred
duRng this great bombardment of IL
hours, closing at 10 minutes past 6 O'Clock,
could not have been less than four per
second. have no doubt that up to the
withdrawal of the wooden walls, not less
than $4,000 shells were fred into Fort
Fisher.
The troops have advance to within a
quarter of mile of Fort Fisher, their
camp fires extending down the beach for
more than mile. An order has been
received from the Admiral, that as it was
found impossible to bring our division into
the hight, the anchorage room being too
contracted, to proceed into shore to cover
tue encamPment of the troops from any
assault by Bragg from Wilmington.
The troops, as 1 learn from officers who
asslstedIn landing them, are in high spirits
and anxious to be led forward They wish
to wipe out the stain cast upon them by
the withdrawal of Gen. Butler, and to
prove to the country that they didn't be-
lieve the fort could not be taken.
The announcement made here to-day
that Gen. Butler had been relieved from
the command of the Army of the James
and directed to report ct Lowell, has
caused great rejoicing throughout the fleet
Some good shooting was done by the
rebels, and all of the iron.clads have nu.
merous indentations on their arnor and
perforations of their smoke stacks.
SECOND DAY OF THE BATTLE.
Saturday, a. m.-Another bright day.
A number of the troops advanced during
the night to the abandoned rebel Fort An
derson, and now hold the whole beach of
then peninsula to Cape Fear River.
Saturday IL q. m..-Up to this hour
nothing has done this morning, The
monitors are lying quietly with their guns
towards Fort Fisher. Not a shot has been
exchanged since 4 O'Clock. A gun burst
on the hahassee yesterday slightly wound
ing two officers and one man seriously.
These were the only casualties in the fleet.
Two o'clock p. m.-The division of
wooden vessels are in short range of Fort
Fisher and firing rapidly upon it, but
eliciting no reply. 1 most close here as
the Schuyler is just about to leave with
dispatches for Washington.