Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-01-20
Steamship Santiago dc Cuba, I
Off Beaufort. Jan. 9th,v {


Wfm at our anchorage, during the past
wo days, off Beaufort l,rbof, we are now
enjoying one OF these periodical Gains Pc
.t,liar to this latitude, which can scarcely
he expected to last more than twentytour
hours. Yesterday morning, the wind hav
lug got around to the northeast, and the
sun shining brightly, we were blessed with
q. quiet sea, and our eyes delighted also
With the approach of u feet OF transports
With troops furnished by Grant to cooper
ate with Porter in the capture Of Fort
Fisher.
The first vessel that arrived was the
flagship of the commanding Gen'l which
CROSSED the bar at ence, and proceeded up
beaufort barber, to communicate with
Admiral Porter.
Next came the steamers Atlantic and
Baltic, each with near 1000 men on board.
Other transports also arrived soon after,
the names Of which, however, | did not
ascertain.
All the transport feet, as write, are
anchored outside the bar along with the
naval vessels.
The plan of the battle is fully arranged.
and the commander of each vessel has
been supplied with new chart, indicating
not only his exact position, but the precise
point Of the works Of the enealy on which
his fire is to be directed. The Santiago
being commanded by the senior Captain
Of the gunboat fleet. Capt. Gibson, is sta
toned ut the head of the vessels of her
class, III in number. and while others of
the line are to concentrate their fire on the
outworks of Fort Fisher, oar guns are to
throw flank fire ilto the fort. Ny posi-
sion to witness the fight will therefore be
most advantageous Tor having full view
Of the operations of the monitors, Ironsides
and heavy frisates on the right of the line,
and Of the ganboats attack on the outer
wofks Of the enemy. including Mound bat
tory, on the left of oar position.
The positions OF the vessels are irearly
the same as in the former fight, except the
iron-clads will take position abo,t quar-
ter of mile nearer Fort Fisher than at
the first attack, and the Dictator will also
Join them with her two l5-ncli guns, max
ing the monitor fleet II strong, inducing
4. guns OF the Monalnock. Then the
Ironsides with the tremendous 1linch
broad-ide, and Minnesota, VI abasll, Brook
iyn, Suslaclianna, ruscarora, Seneca, Ii
conderoga. Mohican, Colorado, sShenando-
all. pawtuxet, Maekinaw, Mawmee, Pow
haitian, Juniattu. Yankee and Kansas
form the second line. Tho New York,
Cnadilla, Huron and pequot, which act as
tenders to the monitors, are also i'll the
inner line,
The gunboat fleet is to form line in
front of the shore batteries, extending to
the right OF Fort Fisher, in the following
order: Santiago dc Cuba, Fort Jackson.
faconcy. osceola, Chippewa, Sassacus.
Matanzas, Red Island, Monticello, Mount
Vernon, Quaker City, and lttsco.
Reserves OF the various divisions. con-
sisting OF smaller class of gunboats, are
assigned to u position outside vi the line of
battle.
LATER.
, A steamer has just arrived from the in
ner harbor reports that at noon to-day.
signal was hoisted on the flagship OF the
cntire division to prepare for sea. The
probability therefore is that we will sail to-
morrow morning if the weather should
continue favorable.
The fleet outside the bar are already to
sail at a moments notice, and will fail in
line a. soon as the forest of masts comes
out Of Beaufort harhnr.
The larger transports are also outside
abcnt Is miles from shore awaiting move
ment Of the fleet.
WASHINGTON, Jan. l6.
The Navy Department has received the
following:
Flagship Malvern,
Beaufort, y. C., Jan. Q. 1865.
Sfr--I have the honor to enclose you =
letter from Lieut.. Commander Temple,
containing interesting matter concerning
Fort Fisher. II is important as matter
VI history, and tells the whole story.
am, Sir, your obi sery't,
DAVID ID. PORTER,
Rear Admiral.
To Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary Of the
Navy.
Steamer Pontoosuc,
Of New Inlet, Jan. .. 1865.
Rear Admiral Porter. L. 5. N:
Sir-lt may be of assistance TO you to
receive, Together with the six rebel de-
scrters mentioned in my letter of this date.
the following memorandum Of information
elected from one Of their number by Cor
poral Thcs. Dawly of the marines. He
says he was stationed, both during and
sinee the bombardment. in the naval bat
terry Buchanan, commanded by Lieut..
Chapman, and situated near the mound
th,t there were between five hundred and
six hundred men in the fort on the two
days Of the attack, and no troops in
Wilmington or in is vicinity to reinforce
them; that the fire from the fleet was so
fierce as 10 drive the rebels from their
guns. and into their bomb proof through
ost the greater part Of their works soon
alter the commencement Of the action I;
that two OF their Brooks guns burst, kill
ing and waaRding SONIC % men that We
dismounted eight Of their guns. besides in
hiring several 81 thcis gun carriages !:
shat VIC killed l3of their men, aud wound
ed 90; that Gen. Whiting supposed the
boats sent into the bar on The 9Th 10 be
sierming party Of marines, to which he
would have been obliged to surrender {;
that subsequently the rapid honlhardment
Mt sunset Was 80 terrific that when our
troops appeared in front Of the fort inn
ned:ately afterwards the garrison only
waited the assault to surrender without
resistance; that tAey could not imagine
xhy the attack had been abandoned that
matters remained IN tic same condition on
the morning If the aGth, and throughout
that day that We could have easily
possessed ourselves OF the fort until late in
the afternoon. wken General Bragg arriv
"a at Wilmington with 600 men from
Lees army at Richmond; that finding our
trsops. we're recnbarlling, Bragg decided
~ 10 modest us.
Respectfully, ". TEMrLF.