The New York herald., 1865-02-23
nver The work y sossiauous in Al is cxten, and dis
closes no weak points

river The work sostiauOus In Al in extent and dis
closes no weak points.
0EN. sCHoYnIDs PLAR.
Il Is hardly necessary 10 say that the occupation Of
Wilmington by forccs To be Of service TO u.s. requires
the opening Of the river 70 the passage Of vessels
Therefore is that should dslodge Hoke from
the east side Of the river and press him In his retreat
hard that he would be unable make stand at VIII
mington the advantage would be negatved by the rebel
occupation Of Fort Anderson and the obsructions In the
river, which that work commands
General schoneld has examined the situation with tho
eye OF an experienced campaigner and the tact Of o
thorough soldier and his present movement develops
his appreciation OF the strategy. His advance 10
made ON the west bank OF the river
MOVEMENTS PRELIMINARY TO ADVANCE.
On Thursday night Coxs division Of the Twenty third
corps transferred from Federal Point to smithve.
The movement undertaking OF no nconsiderablc
magn tude Besides the strength Of the DIVISION which
II would be manifesty improper to state, their entire
equipage land transportation, ammunition, commssary
stores and mpedimcnta In general had TO be forwarded
The ferrage distance Of eight miles The facilities
OF embarkation consisted OF single small dock, at
which but vessel could lay at time The army
vessels adapted 70 the service consisted Of four small
steamers-the Eliza Hancox q. w. Thomas Christopher
and Howard Admiral Porter very politely placed three
lighters Of his feet at the disposition Of the army for
the With those facilities the whole task was
sccomplishet before daylight Brgader General Dodge
Chief Quartermaster OF the department, giving IL his
personal superintendent until Its full accomplishment
THE MARCH 10 REAR OF FORT ANDERSON.
Al daylight on Friday morning the division moved
from smitnv,le, and at5P NJ were in the Of Fort
Anderson The march was made through an unexplored
country over Indifferent roads with many swamps and
marshes besetting the way. The details Of the march
and Of the subsequent operations OF this branch Of the
expedition will be given you by the correspondent who
accompanied the movement
TIE RDoossossAHcx on TIE FLEET
Seon after noon Friday Admiral Porter moved up .
force Of gunboats and engaged the fort with
sarnestness at close quarters until dark The Monitor
Montauk, Commander stonc led on in this attack taxi
Ing up position about threcfourths Of mile from the
fort and retaining until the close OF the action Her
heavy hfeen-Inch guns worked from this position
with uneing certainty and great effect upon the sand
smbankments OF tho fort For time the fort replied
70 her vigorously, but finding that in heaviest
metal produced effect upon the iron monster IL do
sisted from the waste Of ammunition. Here was
developed the exceeding utility OF this class Of vessels
No other boat known to maritime Architecture could pos
s!bly have lad at anchor In such position under tho
very guns Of heavy fort and yet not person in.
jurcd board the presumng Monitor although she was
hit and again every part Of her, was the
vessel damaged IN the slightest dsgree.
Under Of the fire OF the Monitor the wooden gun
boat Pequot moved up into close range, andexhibked
some excellent practice. Others followed and soon q
heavy hre was showered upon the fort, compelling the
rebel gunners 10 seek the shelter Of thcE bombpsoofs
THE Prouor STRUCK.
During the action and before the rebels had retired
from their guns, whitworh bolt struck stanchon on
the Pequot scattering splnters in every direction,
severely wound'nG I've men, OF whom two have since
died