Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-01-18
The Report ofR..r Admiral Porter

The following was received at the
Navy Department from Admiral Porter
FLAG SHIP MALvERS, OFF Fl Fisher, }
January l4th, 1868.
STR | have to inform you that oper-
atoms have been resumed against the
forts at the entrance Of Cape Fear river
Since the FIRST attack on that place, and
the subsequent withdrawal of the troops,
l have been employed in Sling the ships
with ammunition and coal. The diff
culties we have encountered no one can
conceive Of All our work had to be
done with the larger vessels anchored
on the coast, exposed to gales that blew
here almost necessarily. One Of these
gales the enemy depended upon to break
up our preparations. We will see. We
have gone through the worst of it; have
held on through gales heavy enough to
drive everything to sea, and have sus-
tanned no loss whatever. After the
troops arrived the weather set ia bad,
and the gales we're very heavy. As soon
as it was over 60, under way on the
18th inst, and, forming my vessels in
three lines, with transports il company,
steamed for Fort Fisher. On the
morning Of the 18th the feet took it's
station in three lines, close TO the beach,
and the boats were sent at once TO take
off the troops. These men landed with
about l2 days provisions, at about two
O'Clock p. " This time pursued a
different plan in attacking the works
sent in the new ironsides, Com. Rad
ford leading, aud the mUnitoFs SAbgus,
Cauonicus, honadock and Aahapee At
1880 p N. the forts opened Ere on them
as they approached, but they quickly
took up their old position within 1000
yards Of Fort Fisher, and when ready,
opened their batteries In this way
tempted an attack on the monitors, that
we might see what guns they had, and
seeiHg where they we're, be able 10 dis
mount them. By Eve o'clock quite .
spirited little engagement was going on
between the forts, ironsides aud the
monitors cit was soon apparent that
the iron vessels had the best off
TrAverses began TO disappear and the
southern angle Of Fort Fisher commen-
csd TO look very dilapidatsd. Guns were
silenced enc alter another, aud
only one heavy gun in the southern an
gle kept up its FIRE The FIRE Of this gun
was not at all accurate, IS il inficsed
no damage. Being des.rous Of letting
the enemy see that We bad some shells
left on board the wooden ships and did
not intend 10 take any unfair advantage
Of him by using iron vessels alone,
ordered into line No. /, 10 part led by
Capt Alden, of the Brooklyn, and line
No 2, led By Commander Thatcher, OF
the Is----, TO go and attack che batter.
les. This was done in q handsome
manner; not a mistake was committed
except firing too rapidly, aud making
too much smoke The heavy Gre Of the
large vessels shut the enemys guns At
once; and after firing till after. dark.
the wooden vessels dropped out to their
anchorage. The Ironsides and Monitors
maintained their position through the
night, firing g she'll now aud then. They
are nov lYing within 900 yards Of the
fort, and the Monitors within 200 yards
The fort does not FIRE gun st them,
thinking, no doubt, that il is waste Of
powder. firing from the feet will com
mence as soon a. we get breakfast, and
kept up as long as the Ordnance Depart
ment provides US with shells and guns
There is perfect understanding be
tween Gen. Terry and myself be
leve everything has been done to suit
him. have heard no complaints, and
know that We have felt every disposition
to help the army along,
A detailed report Of oar operations.
here win be sent in when We get through
see no reason to doubt our success
The forts will be used up soon. We
have q respectable force landed on s
stripsof land which oar force completely
command, and place of defence which
would enable us TO hold ont against 4
very large army. win report 10 yoE
every opportunity.
have the honor to be, very respect
fully, your obedient servant,
C5igned d. ID. PORTER,
Rear Admiral commanding.
To Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary o
! the NAVY