The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-01-27
FLAGSHIP MALVERN,


OFF FoRr FISHER, N. c., Jan. IA, 1865.
To Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the May:
S1R-I have the honor to inform you that
operations have been resumed against Fort
Fisher, at the entrance of Cape Fear River.
Since the first attack on that place and the sub.
sequent withdrawal of the troops, have been
employed in filling the ships with ammunition
and coal. The difficulties we have encoun-
tered no one can conceive. AL our work had
to be done with the larger vessels anchored on
the coast exposed, you may almost say, at sea
to the violent gales that blew here almost in
cessantly.
On these gales the enemy depend 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 every
thing to sea and we have sustained no damage
whatever. After the troops arrived the wealth
e1set in bad and the gale was very heavy.
AS coon as it was ordered got under way
on the 18th inst, and forming the vessels in
three lines, with the transports in company, /
steered for Fort Fisher On the morning of
the 18th the feet took its station in three lines
close to the beach and the boats were sent at
once to take off the troops. These were land
ed with about twelve days provisions, at about
two o'clock in the after noon. This time pur.
sued O different plan in attacking the rebel
works. IT,. ...
sent in the new 1rOnside, Commodore Rad
ford leading the Monitors Saugus, Canonicus,
Mouadnock and Mahnpo.
At 7:30 A. M. the Forts opened on them as
they approached, by they quietly took up
their old position within 1000 yards of Fort
Fisher, and when ready. they opened their
batteries in this way.
enticed the enemy to engage the monitors
that we might see what guns they had and see
ing where the were, be able to dismount
them by fire.
Quite spiritc,i engagement went on be-
tween the forts aud the Ironsides and mont
tors. 1t WIS soon apparent that the iron YES
sells had the best of it.
Traverses began to disappear and the south
ern angle Of Fort Fisher commenced to look
very dilapidated The guns were silenced one
after the other, till only one heavy gun in the
southern angle kept up its fire. The fire of
this gun was not at all accurate, as it inflicted
no damage on the iron vessels. They were
hit several times. .. 4
By way of letting the enemy see that we
had some shell LETT on board the wooden ships,
and did not intend to take any unfair advantage
of him by using the iron vessels alone, or
dered line number one in the plan, led by Capt.
Alden of the Brooklyn, and line number two,
led by Com. Thatcher of the Colorado, to 20
and attack the batteries. This was done in
the handsomest manner. Not q mistake was
committed, except firing too rapidly and
making too much smoke. The heavy fire
of the large vessels shut the enemy's guns at
once. and after firing till dark the wooden yes.
sells dropped out to cir anchorage.
The IrOnsides and monitors maintained their
position through the night, firing shell now
and then. They are now lying within 900
yards of the fort. and the monitors within 700
yards, and the tort does not fire gun at them,
thinking no doubt that it would be waste of
powder.
The firing from the feet will commence as
soon as We get breakfast, and be kept up as
long as the ordnance department provides it
with shells and guns.
There is perfect understanding between Gen.
Terry and myself I believe everything has
been done to suit him. I have heard no CON-
plant and know that we have felt every dispo-
sition to help the Army along.
A detailed report Of our operations here will
be sent in when We get through. l see no rea-
son to doubt our success. The forts will be
used up soon. We have respecpectable force
landed on strip of land which our naval guns
completely command. and q place of defense
which would enable us to hold out against
very large army. Twill report to you every
opportunity.
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servant
: DAVID D. PORTER.
Rear Admiral