The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-01-26


monitors and the New 1ronsides was
u magnificent sight. From s o'clock
in the morning up to A o'clock in the
afternoon the monitors poured iii their
murdGrous shells at Tie rate offour per
minute. The whole number thrown
in that time was about two thousand.
Every shot struck the embrasures or
parapet of the Fort, and the gunnery
exhibited was never surpassed. Dur
ing this time the fort possibly threw
300 shells in return, but the difficulty
they bad in manning their guns amid
the explosions of our shclls, and the
clouds of sand that constantly envcl-
opcd the work from our well directed
shots, doubtless worried their gunne-
ry, as most Of their shells struck be.
yond or short of the mark. All Of
our vessels, however. received honor
able scars in the fight. The damage
to the fort, by outward appearances
was most distinct. About 4 o'clock q
dense and continued smoke from the
inside Of the fort indicated that some
of the rebel huts had been fred
At 4 o'clock the Admiral signaled
to the vessels in line of battle No. l.
to take the positions marked out for
them on the chart, and join in the
bombardment. Following rapidly was
an order to line of battle No. 2, to
take position and Join in The BON.
bardmcnt. Immediately moved for
ward, presenting an array of the
largest vessels in the service, and Il
magnificent spectacle of old wooden
walls, with their pondorous arma.
ments. .. .... ..,I
AT twenty minutes TO 5 o'clock
these two immense divisions, carrying
312 guns in addition to the iron cIads,
Joined in the cannonade. The mum.
bcr Of shots fired while the great bonn.
bardment lasted--onc hour and q half
closing at ten minutes past O'Clock
could not nave been less t an four
per second. | have no doubt that NJ
to the Withdrawal of the wooden walls
this evening, not less than %, 600 shells
were fired into Fort Fisher.
After the general bombardment
commenced, but one shot was fired by
the fort in return. Consequently
mono of the wooden vessels were in.
jured. The Ironsidcs and monitors
did not withdraw when the signals
We're given for the wooden walls tt
cease firing, but kept at work through
out the night throwing one shell every
ten minutes into the fort TO prevent
the repairing Of damage by the gar
ris0n. i' .. ..'.... ....
To night the troops have advanced
to within about mile and half o
TT. Fisher, their camp fires extending
down the beacIs for more than q mile
The conclusion of the affair is bcs
given in the Official War Bulletin 0
Secretary Stanton, which we copy
below:
Omclal War bulletin.
FORTRESS MONROE, Jan. 17-10 Pm
To the President: .... .....
The rebel flag of Fort Fishe, wa
delivered to me on board the stcame
Spalding, off that place, yesterda.
morning, Jan. 10th. .....
[Signcd] Maj-Gen. TERRY.
An acknowledgment and thanks 70
that gallant achievement was given il
your namo to Admiral Porter ard Gen
eral Terry, from whom the following
particulars were obtained. The troop
arrived off Fort Fisher on Thursda,
night. On Friday they were all land
ed under cover OF heavy fire from th
squadron. A reconnaissance was mad
by Gen, Terry on Saturday; stron
defensive line against any of the enc
mys force coming from Willmingto
was established and held by 400
men, chiefly colorcd troops, and an as
sault was determined on. The frs
assault was made on Sunday aftcrnoO
at 3:30 o'clock. The sea front of th
fort had been greatly damaged an
broken by the continuous fire of th
fleet for three days, and the front wa
assaulted at the hour mentioned by
column of seamcn and marines 1,S0
strong, under command of Captai
Breeze. They reached the parape
but after n short conflict this colum
was checked. driven back in disorde
and was alterward placed OH the defer
sivo line, taking the place Of brigot
that was brought up to re- enforce tn
assaulting column Of troops.
Although the assault on the sc
front failed, it performed a very usefi
| part in divcrting the attention Of tf
enemy and weakened their rcsistan,
J to the attack by the troops on the oil
, er side.
The assault on the other and mo
, difficult side of the fort was made by
column of 5000 troops Of tho old lOt
t Corps, led by Col. Curtis, under II
Immediate supervision of Gen. Tcrr
The cnemy's force in tho fort WI
i. over 2,200, The conflict lasted t,
seven hours, The works were so col
J structed that every traverse affordC
, the enemy a new defensive positio
| whence they had to be driven.
u, They were scven in number, and Il
. fight was Carried on from traverse
traverse for seven hours. By skill
. fully directed fire thrown into the tr
| verses, as one after another they we
! occupied BY the enemy, Admiral Po
i ter contributed to the success ofthe a
1 nn !, In rr ..nl,,nnn Il Pc eimnnlr hniun nl