Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-27
ADMIRAL PORFER's REPORT.
.MAsHrraror. Jan. 2s.

The Navy Department to-day received
the following report from Admiral Porter:
NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON, on BOARD !
UNITED STATES FLAG SHIP MALVERN,
OFF SMnrHvILLE, N. G., Jan. goth. }
In nv last I informed you that Fort
Caswen had been blown up and evacuated
in consequence of the fall of Fort Fisher.
l sent Lieutenant Cushing around in the
Monticello to the western bar to ascertain
what had taken place, Snd to obtain aid
from the officers in command of the New
York and Vicksburgh. Lieutenant Cush-
ing did not obtain the aid he required; for
what reason I have hot yet learned, but
with his usual energy he pushed on and
found that Fort Csswel had been blown
up, Bald Head Fort destroyed,
and Fort Shaw also, and
Fort Campbell, to the westward
of Fert Caswen, abandoned. All these
forts mounting nine and ten inch guns and
Armstrong; $50 Founders. Lieutenant
Cushing then rushed into Smithfeld hoist
ing the flag of the Union over CsswelL
The next thing I saw was the flag waving
over Smithfeld, whicn the rebels had left
in great hurry after they saw our boats
approaching, leaving everything in the
beautiful fort uninjured excepting two
nine inch guns in the fort, at Deepwater
Point, only sbiked.
In the meantime had succeeded in get
ting one gunbost, the Tscony, over the
Ripan interior bar, and sent her up to
Reeves Point, to disable the guns at that
place, about three miles on the west side
of the river above Fort Fisher. Thus in
twenty-four hours after the fall of Fort
Fisher snd its outworks, all the formidable
chain of forts in this river, at its entrance,
built to keep cut anything, have fallen
into our hands. They are at present gar
risoned with sailors. 1 can scarcely give
description Of these works; they are
certainlythe most formidable and the best
built earthworks 1 ever saw, and do credit
to the engineer who planned them.
Fort Caswell is in the same shape 1t was
before it fell into rebel hands except that
the rebels have covered its walls with
earth on the outside and made them al
most impervious to shot and shell. 1t is
in many respects stronger than Fort Fish
er, and harder to take by assault, still it
could be taken, and the rebels knew that
three or four gunboats outside would soon
have started them out.
1 have had great difficulty in getting
the gunboats over the bar and the rips,
snd only succeeded this morning in get
ting the last one through.
The rebels left plenty of good stores and
provisions and our men are now subsisting
on them
We have found here in each fort an
Armstrong gun with the broad arrow on ii
and the name, Sir William Armstrong,
marked in full As the British govern
ment claims the exclusive right to use
these guns, It would be interesting to know
now they came into forts held by the South
ern rebels. I find that immense quantities
of provisions, stores and clothing have
come through this port. I am almost
afraid to mention the amount, but it il
enough to supply $4,000 men. Iii Is sl
English, and they have received the last
cargo. No more will come this way.
We picked up telegram from Genera
Lee to his subordinate here, saying that Il
Forts Fisher and Caswell were not held, ,IhG
would have to evscuste Richmond.
He says most truly, and should not bt
surprised if he left it at any moment.
We.have plenty of force to hold thii
place against the whole Southern Confed
erscy. 1 have 250 guns bearing on tht
narrow strip of land where our troops art
heavily entrenched. There are vessels II
the river and outside, and we only hop'
they will attempt to retske 1t. Ten thous
and men in Fort Fisher, with the guns o
the squadron would hold this place
long time.
We find this better place to catch tht
blockade runners than outside. had tn
blockade runners lights lit last night, ant
was obliging enough to answer their sig
nails; whether right or wrong, we do no
know. Two of them, the Stag and tn
Charlotte, from Bermuda, loaded witt
arms, blankets, shoes, etc, came IN AM
quietly anchored near the Malvern, ant
were taken possession of. The Stag wa
commanded by Richard II. Gayle, Lieu
tenant in the rebel navy, and belongs t
the rebel government. A number NOR
are expected, ana we will, hope, catch
portion of them.
I entrusted this duty to Lieut.. Gushing
who performed it with his usual good luc
and intelligence.
These two are very fast vessels and va
uab le prizes, They threw a portion
their papers over board. on finding the
were trapped.
The Charlotte brings five English pss
sengers one of them an English army off
Ger. They all come over, as they express
ed it, Hon lark and were making them
selves quite jolly in the cabin, over thei
champagne, felieitsting themselves o
their safe arrival.
The Stag received three shots in her 6
she ran by our blockaders.
Signed. Very respectful
Your 0bd't Sv't.
DAVID D. PORTER.
Rear Admiral.
/ IT. GfIoo1 Walls