Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-18
THE FORT FISHER AFFAIR:
WAsHIEGToN, Jan. II.
The Navy Department has received the

w WA6hAlNAOGAI y 1AAs 4 -
The Navy Department has received tht
following from Admiral Porter:
FLAGSHIP MALVERN,
OFF FcRT FISHER, N. c., Jan. IA
To Hon, Gideon Wells, Secretary of tn
Nayy.
SIR: l have the honor to inform you
that operations have been resumed against
the forts at the entrance Of Cape Fesl
river. Since the first attack on that place
and the subsequent Withdrawal OF tiIt
troops, l have been employed in fitting
out the ships with ammunition and coal.
The difficulties we have encountered nc
one can conceive; all our work had to be
done with charger vessels anchored on the
coast, exposed you may almost say stses 70
the violent gSles that blew almost inces-
sanity. On these gales the enemy depend
ed TO break our preparations. We will
see. We have gone through the worst Of
it, have held on through gales heavy
enough to drive everything into the ses
and we hsYe suffered no damsge, what
ever After the troops arrived the weather
set In bad, and the gale was very heavy.
AS soon as it was over got under way,
on the 18th inst, and forming the vessels
into three lines, with the transports in
company, 1 steamed 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 10 take
off TIE troops, These were landed with
about twelve dsys provisions, at about two
Q clock in the evening.
This time pursued different plan in
attacking the rebel works. 1 sent in the
New Ironsides, Commodore Rsdford lead
ing the monitors Ssugus, Caronicus, No
nsdnock and Mshopso. At 7:30 A. N. the
forts opened on them as they approached,
but they quietly took up their old positions
within one Thousand yards of Fort Fisher,
and, when ready, they opsned their bat
teries. In this way tempted the enemy
to engage the monitors, that we might see
what guns they had, and seeing where
they were, be abe TO dismount them by
our fire. Quite spirited engagement
went on between the forts and the Iron
sides and monitors. It was soon apparent
that the iron vessels had the best of it.
Traverseg began to disappear, and the
southern angle of Fort Fisher commenced
to look very dilapidated. Guns were ST.
fenced one after another, and only one gun
in the southern angle kept up its fire. The
fire of this gun was not at all accu-
rate, as It inflicted no damage on the
iron vessels. They were hit several times.
By way of letting the enemy see that
we had some shell left on board the wood.
en- ships, and did not intend to take any
unfair advantage of him by using the iron
vessels alone, ordered No. in the plan,
led by Captain Alden, of the Brooklyn,
and No. 2, led by Commander Thatcher,
of the Colorado, to 60 and attack the bat
teries. This was done in the handsomest
manner. Not mistake was made, except
firing too rapidly and making too much
smoke. The fire of the large vessels shut
up the fire of the enemy's guns at once,
and after firing till after dark, the wooden
ships dropped out to their anchorage.
The Ironsides and monitors maintained
their position through the night, firing a
shell now and then. They are now lying
within 1000 yards of the fort, and the
monitors within 700 yards, and the fort
does not fire q gun at them, thinking, no
doubt, that it is q waste ofpowder.
Firing from the feet will commence as
soon as we get breakfast and be Kept up
as long as the ordnance department pro-
vides US with shells and guns There is
perfect understanding between General
Terry and myself believe everything g
Las been done to suit him. I 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 no reason to doubt our success.
The forts will be used up soon when we
have respectable force landed on strip
of land, which our naval guns completely
command, and 8 place of defense which
would enable US to hold on against q very
large army. 1 will report to you at every
opportunity.
Your obedient servant,
[Signed] DAVID PORTER,