Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-18


Fort Fisher, near the deserted Half Moon
battery. In a few minutes the whole d.
vision was in position, throwing shells in
to the narrow strip Of woods separating
the sea shore from Cape Fear river, about
mile inlsnu, parallel with the beach.
In the meantime the iron-clads moved
into position directly in front of Fort Fish
er. The Ironsides about three-fourths Of
mile and the Monitors about half mile
off, in the following order: The new Iron
sides, Commander Radford, 20 guns; Mo-
nadnock, Commander Parrot, guns,
Saugus, Commander Gotham, guns, Ca.
nonicus, guns, Ma. hopsc, guns.
Before they got into position the fort
opened upon them, but they secured their
anchorage, Then at half past eight the
Ironsides opened on the fort and was fol-
lowed by the Monitors with their tremen-
dous shells. Every shot struck in embras-
ures, and exploding threw clouds of sand
high into the air. .sThe fort occasionally re-
sponded, but did not send more than one
shot every ten minutes, and at times so
rapid was our firing they found it impossi-
bic to work their guns.
At nine o'clock the boats of the fleet
were called away to assist in landing the
troops The woods had in the meantime
been thoroughly shelled, and no enemy
had appeared. The transports were en-
abled TO 90 within half mileof the shore,
aud they were soon surrounded by not less
than 200 boats, supplied from ali the ves-
sells Of tho feet Several tugs also Joined
in the work, and carried the soldiers to
within 100 yards of the beach, where they
were transferred to small boats. The tents
and camp equipage was also landed, with
several days provisions for the entire
force, 5000 strong. At nine o'clock the
boats from all the transports moved for the
shore, and in few minutes the first 500
men stepped on the beach and planted
their regimental flag on one of the highest
sand hills, amid the cheering from the
transports and feet. Not a sign of any
enemy could be seen at This time.
About 10 o'clock, shout 5our thousand
having been landed, skirmish line was
sent forward on the beach. Admiral
Porter signalled to Captain Gibson, com.
msnding tho SsTatqga, TO move With his
gunbost division on each side of the line
OF the frigste, and shell the beach in sd-
vance of the skirmishers. The woods in
advance of the piclzets were thoroughly
shelled up to within & mile and half of
Fo=t Fisheg.
The firing on the fort from the monitors
and new Ironsides was q magnificent
sight. From o'clock in the morning to
o'clock in the afternoon the monitors
poured in their murderous shells at the
rate of four per minute: whole number
thrown in that being about two thousand.
Every shot struck the embrasures or para
pet Of the fort, and the gunnery exhibited
was never surpassed. During this time
the fort probably threw three hundred
shells in return, but the difficulty they had
in manning their guns amid the explosion
of our shells and the clouds of sand that
constantly enveloped the work from our
we'll directed shots, doubtless msrred their
gunnery, as most of their shells struck be-
yond or short of the msrk. ALI of our
vessels, however, received honorable scars
in the fight
The damage to the fort BY outward
was most distinct About
four o'clock dense and continued smoke
from the inside of the fort indicated thai
some of the rebel huts had been fred. At
four o'clock the Admiral signslled the
vessels in line of battle. Number one to
take the positions marked out for them on
the chart and Join in the bombsrdment.
Following rapidly was an order to the line
for number two to take position and Join in
the bombardment. It Immediately moved
presenting an array of the largest
vessels in the service-a magnificent spec
tacle of old wooden walls with their pom
derous armaments. At twenty minutes 10
five o'clock, these two Immense divisions,
3l2 guns in addition t) the IRON
clads, Joined in the grand cannonRde.
The number of shots fred while this great
lssted-one hour and half
closing at ten minutes past six o'clock
could not have been less than four per
second. I have no doubt that up to the
withdrawal of the wooden walls, this eve
ming, not less thsn IS, 900 shells were fred
into Fort Fisher.
After the general bombsrdment com
menced but one shot was fired by the fort
in return, consequently none of the wood
en- vessels were injured The Ironsides
and monitors did not withdraw when the
signal was given for the wooden vessels to
cease firing, but kept at work throughout
the night, throwing one shell every ten
minutes into the fort, to prevent the re-
pairing of damages by the garrison.
Tonight the troops have advanced to with
in 8 mile and half Fort Fisher, their
camp fires extending down the beach for
more than q mile.
An order had been received from the
Admiral, it being found impossible to bring
our division into the fight, the snchoring
being too contracted, to proceed in shore,
to cover the enesmpments of the troops
from any assault by Bragg, from Whining
ton.
1 learn from officers who assisted in the
landing of our troops, that they are in the
highest spirits.
Second day of battle, Saturday morning
l4th.-Another bright day. a number of
the troops advanced during the night to
the abandoned rebel fort, Anderson, and
now hold the whole breadth of the penin-
sula to Cape Fear river.
Flag ship MaLUeT7a, Saturday 10, 4. M
Up to this hour nothing has been done.
This morning the monitors are lying quiet,
ly with the Ironsides, under the guns OF
Fort Fisher. Not q shot has been ,ex-
changed since four o'clock. A gun burst
on the Mahopat yesterday, slightly wound
ing two officers and seriously wounding
seaman. These were the only casualties
in the feet.
TE0o o'clock, P. MA division of wood
en- vessels are 10 short range of Fort
Fisher and are firing rapidly upon it, but
are eliciting no reply.
1 must close here as the Cuyler is lust
about to leave with dispatches for Fortress
Monroe.
Friday, 13tk-Before the commence
ment of active operations this morning,
the following order, from Admiral Porter,
-. I Lln lc.l- e