The National tribune., 1892-06-16

Fort Fisher. The principal entrance Tor large
vessels is through New Inlet The other chan
mel, called Old Inlet, is shallow, and heavy
gunboats could not enter it. The old channel
was protected by two forts near the mouth
| Forts Caswell and johnson. Fort Fisher was
on the east side of Cape Fear River. and on the
| west side there was q work known as Fort
Anderson designed to fire at passing vessels
should our feet attempt to pass up the river.
Owing to the peculiar formation of the river
the character and location of its defenses, with
causes already referred to, Wilmington could
not be effectually blockaded. It was therefore
| considered of more Importance to the Confed
| eracy than was Richmond. The garrison of
| Fort Fisher consisted of about 500 troops, and
the Commandant was Col. VIM. Lamb, who dur
ing the siege was severely wounded and taken
prisoner. His successor in command was Col.
| James Reilly. Of the 10th n. G. Gen. Braxton
Bragg commanded the Department, with head
| quarters at Wilmington.
| In order that the war might be more speedily
| prosecuted to q successful termination, the
capture of Wilmington and its defenses was
determined upon for some time before 1t actu-
| ally took place. The inability of the General
| commanding our armies to furnish the troops
| for the expedition caused delay of some
| months and il was not until about the middle
| of December, 1864, that the troops were ready
| to embark. They were detached from the
Army of the James and commanded by Gen.
Butler. The selection OF competent ofncer to
COMMAND THE EXPEDITION
was under consideration for sometime and was
moro embarrassing, as it involved change in
the commander of the entire North Atlantic
Squadron. Finally, Admiral Farragut was
agreed upon, and an order assigning him to
the command was issued Sept. s. 1864. The
laborous character of Farragut's services in
the Gulf seriously affected his health, and on
recommendation of his physician he was
granted leave Of absence, and Admiral d. ID.
Porter was selected in his place.
Admiral Porter assumed command on Oct.
~ 1854, selecting as his flagship the hand
some sidewheel steamer Malvern. The feet
was then being concentrated at Hampton
Roads, and the headquarters of the army was
at City Point. Admiral Porter had all inter
view with Gen. Grant on the subject of troops
for the expedition, which the General at that
time declined to furnish. The Secretary of
the Navy then appealed to the President, aud
by his orders 5000 men were embarked for
Fort Fisher. The combined forces reached
Fort Fisher Dec Is, 1864. The troops were
landed at Masonboro Inlet, and prepared for
active hostilities.
The vessels of the fleet were divided In three
divisions, one of which was an ironclad divis-
ion, Commanded by Capt. William Radford,
consisting of the new ironsides Canonicus, Ma
hopsc, Monadnock and Saugus the four latter
being monitors.
THE POWDER BOAT LOUISIANA
was one of the plans devised for the destruction
of Fort Fisher. but it proved miserable and
costly failure. The Louisiana was propeller
of 295 tons, and was loaded with 100000
pounds of powder, in barrels and canvas
bags, designed to be exploded in close prox-
Unity to the fort, with the expectation that
the walls would be Jared by the concussion.
the garrison denoralized, and its capture moro
easily accomplished The vessel was run as
close as possible to Fort Fisher on the evening
of Dee. D. and about II o'clock the fuse reached
the powder resulting. of course, in most terri
fc explosion, which proved perfectly harmless
to the enemy.
Everything being ready the fleet opened on
Fort Fisher at the signal from the Malvern, at
II:30 a. m, Dec. 81, 1864, the Minnesota New
Ironsides and Brooklyn being in advance. The
feet consisted of over 100 vessels. mounting
over 600 guns. The Colorado, Capt. Thatcher,
was ths largest vessel in action, and as the
firing became general the garrison of Fort
Fisher were receiving some pretty solid Christ
mas presents. They were not slow in return
ing compliments, and all the guns that could
be brought to bear on US were used to advan.
tage. As our vessels were continually under
way we had the advantage, yet still many of
the vessels were struck, including the little
gnnbOat Maekinaw, whose boilers were pene-
trated by solid shot and some Of her crew
were scdiueu Dy escaping 5tedHf.
For abont six hours continual fire was
maintained on the enemy. ani about dark we
ceased firing, in order TO ascertain what prog
ress bad been made by the troops. During the
afternoons firing several guns were dismounted
in the fort, and the enemy were frequently
driven TO seek shelter. Notwithstanding these
facts, 672 shots were fired during the afternoon
by the garrison of Fort Fisher.
On the evening OF Dec. "a, at an interview
betveen Admiral Porter and Gen Rutier ii
was decided to renew the attack on the follow
ing day, when the troops would attempt an as
sault about noon. The troops were then re-
ported TO be about half milo distant from
Fort Fisher, and brigade under Gen. Ames
ready for the assault.
The naval display as it appeared to the Con-
federates most formidable, and tho bris-
tling armament on board gave warning of the
desperate work on hand. 1t was by far the
largest expedition fitted out during the war.
Circumstances justified it, however, as the cap
ture Of Wilmington and its defenses were de-
termined upon.
BUTLER BACKS OUT.
Dec. %, 1864, at a. m., the feet went into
action, again firing by divisions, and the enemy
replied occasionally. About noon the Admiral
received the startling information that the
land forces had abandoned the siege, and part
of them were on the way North. The follow
ing is copy of Gen. Buffers dispatch on the
subject:
ADMIRAL: Upon landing the troops and making
a thorough reconnaissance OF Fort Fisher, both
Gen. Weitzel and myself are fully of the opinion
that the place cannot be carried by assault. shall
therefore sail for Hampton Roads as soon as the
transport feet be got in order.
i have the honor to be, very respectfully your
obedient servant. BENZ. F. BUTLER.
This was an unexpected blow TO the enter
prise, resulting in the withdrawal of the feet
from action, and there stood Fort Fisher az de-
fant as ever, but considerably weakened from
the result Of our fire. The frigate Colorado
fired ], ,559 shot and shell during the two days
fire.
Meantime the vessels of the feet were sub
ject to the severe storms and gales incident to
the coast at that season of the year. The Sas-
sacus, Osccola and Mackinaw were severely in. |
jured, and in fact nearly every vessel of the
feet suffered i'll some way, but throughout all
there existed awell-defned purpose that, troops
no troops, the Stars and Stripes should float
from the ramparts Of Fort Fisher before many
days
The Navy Department impressed upon the
War Department the necessity of prompt ac-
tion on account of the importance Of the work
and detention of 80 many vessels. Admiral |
Porter finally decided to renew the attack aud
send shore z, 600 men from the feet and
when about to carry out this program he re-
ceived an official communication dated Navy
Department, Dec. 81, 1864, of which the fol. |
lowing is q COPY: