Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-01-18
CLhG-DHIP MALN ERN,
OFF FORT FISHER, N. c.,

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SIR-I have the honor to inform you that
operations 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, /
have been employed in filling the ships
with ammunition and coal. The difficult
ties we have encountered no one can con-
ceive. All our work had to be done with
the larger vessels anchored on the coast, ex-
posed, you may almost say at sea, to the
violent gales that blew here almost inces-
sanity. On these gales the enemy depend
ell to break up our preparations. You will
see we have gone through the worst of it,
have held on through gales heavy enough
to drive everything to sea, and we have
sustained no damage whatever. After the
troops arrived, the weather set in, and the
gale was very heavy. AS soon as it was
over, we got under way on the 18th inst,
and forming the vessels in three lines, with
the transports in company, steamed for
Fort Fisher. 4ai
On the morning OF the 18th, the fleet took
its station in three lines close to the beach,
and the boats were sent at once to take off
the troops. These were landed, with about
twelve days provisions, at about p. IN.
This time pursued different plan in at
tacking the rebel works. sent In the new
lronsides, Commodore Radford, leading
the monitors Sangus, CanOnicus, Monadu-
ack and Mahapoc. At 7:30 A. M. the forts
opened on them as they approached, but
they quietly took their old positions within
1000 yards of Fort Fisher, and when ready
they opened their batteries. In this way 1
induced the enemy to engage the monitors,
that we might see what guns they had and
where they were, that might be able to
dismount them by fire. Quite spirited en-
gagement went on between the Ironsides
and monitors. 1t was soon apparent that
tho iron vessels had the best of it. Tray
erscs began to disappear and the southern
angle of Fort Fisher commenced to look
very dilapdated. The guns were silenced
one after the other, and only one heavy gun
in the southern angle kept up its fire.
The fire of the guns was not at all accurate,
as it inflicted no damage on the iron ves-
sells. They were hit several times by way
of letting the enemy see we had some shell
left on board the wooden ships, and did not
intend to take any unfair advantage of him
by the iron vessels alone.
/ ordered No. in the plan led by Capt.
Alden, of the Brooklyn, and line No. 2 led
by Commodore Thatcher, of the Colorado,
to go and attack the battery. This was
done in the handsomest manner. Not a
mistake was committed except firing too
rapidly and making too much smoke. The
heavy fire of the large vessels shut up the
enemy's 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 a
shell now and then. They are now lying
within 1000 yards of the fort and the Moni-
tors within 200 yards, and the fort does not
fire gun at them, thinking no doubt, that
it is waste of powder.
The firing from the fleet will commence
as soon as we get breakfast, and be kept up
as long as the ordnance department provides
us with shells and guns.
There is perfect understanding between
Gen. Terry and myself. l believe every
thing has been done to suit him. l have
heard no complaints, and know that we
have felt every dispositionto help the army
along.
Detailed report of our operations here
will be sent in when we get through see
no reason to doubt our success. The forts
will be used up soon. We have respecta-
BILE force landed on strip of land which
our naval guns can command and defend,
which would enable us to hold out against a
very large army. will report to you eve
ry opportunity.
l have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
DAVID d. PORTER,
.. Rear Admiral.
Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary Navy.