Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-17
ADMIRAL PORTER'S OFFICIAL RE.
PORT OF FIRST DAYS FIGHT
BEFORE FORT FISHER

The following has been received at the NAVY
Department:
FLAGSHIP MALVERN, or Fort Fisher, N. c.,
Jan. IA, ls64-Sir: 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 tne
subsequent withdrawal of the troops, l have
been employed In filling the ships with ammu-
milton md coal. The difficulties we have had
to encounter no one can conceive All our
work had to be done with the larger vessels
anchored on the coast exposed (you NAV al
most say at seal to the violent gales that blow
here almost necessarily. On these gales the
enemy depend to break up our operations. We
will see. We have gone through about the
worst OF 1T have held on through gales heavy
enough to drive any thing to sea, and we have
sustained no damage whatever.
After the troops arrived, the weather set in
bad and the gale was very heavy. As soon as
1t was over got underway on the 18th instant
and forming the vessels in three lines, with the
transports in company, l steamed for Fort
Fisher.
On the morning of the 18th, the fleet took its
station IN three lines, close to the beach, and
the boats were sent DIT once to take off the
troops. These were landed. with about twelve
days provisions, at two O'Clock p. m.
This time / pursued q different plan in at.
lacking the rebel works. I went in the anew
Ironsides,' Commodore Radford, leading the
monitors Saugus, Canonicus, Monadnock, and
Mahopac.
At 7:30 q M the forts opened on them a. thew
approached, but they quietly took up their old
position, within 900 yards OF Fort Fisher,
and when ready, they opened their batteries.
In this way tempted the enemy to engage the
monitors. that we might see what guns he had,
and seeing where they were, be able to dis.
mount them by our fire.
Quite a spirited engagement went on be.
tween the forts and the Ironsdes and tiae mon.
itors. 1t was soon apparent that the iron YES
sells had the best of it; traverses began to dis
appear, and the southern angle OF Fort Fisher
tod
The guns were silenced, one after the other,
and only one heavy gun In the southern angle,
kept up its fire.
The fire OF this gun was not all accurate, as
1t inflicted no damage on the iron vessels. They
were hit, though, several times.
by way OF letting the enemy know that we
had some she'll left on board ths wooden ships,
and did not wish to take any unfair advantage
of him by using the iron vessels alone, or
dered line No; l, Ton the plan,) lead by Capt
Com. Thatcf er, OF the Colorado, to 60 in and
attack the batteries. This was done In the
handsonest manner, not mistake was COM
mtted 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 until
after dark, the wooden vessels dropped out to
their anchorage. The lronsides and monitors
maintained their positions through the night
firing q shell now and then
They are now lying within one thousand
yards OF the fort, and one of the monitors within
seven hundred 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
soen as we get breakfast, and be kept up as
long as the ordnance department provides us
with shells and guns.
There is perfect unders landing between
General Terry and myself. 1 believe every.
thing has been done to suit him. 1 have heard
no complaints, and know that we have felt
every disposition to help the army along.
A detailed report OF our operations here will
be sent in when we get through. / see nc rea.
son to doubt our success. The forts will be
used up soon. We have a respectable force
landed on strip of land, which our naval
tense which would enable as to hold ON against
a very large army.
l will report to you by every opportunity.
1 have the honor TO be, very respectfully,
your Obedlent ryant,
DAVID ID. PORTER, Rear Admiral.
Hon. GIDEON WKLLRs, Secretary Of the Navy,
Washington, ID. O.