The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-05-01
BOmbdrdment Mere Terrific Than That
of %SebdStOpOl.
The COnfederateS RepulSed an Attack by Land
and Sea in December, l864--Findl
Capture of the Stronghold
in January, 1865.

points along the sea and land approach
es 10 the fort. Along the front of the
works there was a line of batteries. AS
simple was its construction, it proved
a marvel of engineering skill. Colonel
Lamb stated that he had built Fort
Fisher to Withstand the heaviest bonn
hardment which could be projected
against it: and we'll did it serve its
purpose.
During nearly all the existence of
Fort Fisher. save for the continuous
work which was going on for its i'm
prOVement. the garrison had IN un-
~eventful and monotonous life-as mo-
]notonous as the sight of the low. white
shore-Iine which stretched as far as
the eye could see. or the muff1ed roar
of the surf as it beat upon the beach.
In the distance the cruisers of the Unit
ed States could daily be seen patrolling
the coastline. Sometimes one would
move quite close to the shore in the
neighborhood Of the sounds north OF
Fort Fisher. as if to inspect the lonely
pickets as they walked their beats.
ready to pass from mouth to mouth any
news important for the forces at the
fort: or to get d closer view of the salt
works which gave out their pitiful sup
ply of salt to the people Of the Southern
States. When a blockade runner (Which
usually sought the curtain of darkness
to cover its swift passage through the
lines Of the enemy was forced by a
misdirected movement to leopard it's
life in the brightness of daylight. the
chase which followed awoke the glow
ing enthusiasm of the witnesses at the
fort. The gun of the latter always
spoke for the protection of the vessels
when the p~ursuers came within range.
Many iron frames of sturdy blockade
runners may now be seen among the
breakers as monuments to the brave
spirits who commanded them.
BY the close of the year 1864, the port
Of Wilmington had become the most i'm
portant one of the ~Confederacy, all
others being practically controlled by
the federal forces. 1t was relied upon
for army supplies to a greater degree
than was any other gateway to the
outside world. The Federal govern
ment realized this: and, besides i~ncreas-
ing the strength of it's blockading
squadron, it began to give attention to
n subject of reducing the Notifications
of the lower Cape Fear. which shielded
the blockade runners in their alI-impor-
tant traffic.
y plan was projected for capturing
Fort Fisher. which resulted in a con-
siderable force embarking at Ber-
muia Hundreds, December 14th. 1864,
with Major General Benjamin F. But
Ter in command. The transporting
fleet was under the command OF Rear
.--S-- ~
some delay in the embarkation of the
expedition on account of the prepara
ton of the powder boat. which was ex-
pected to be the means of much havoc
to the Confederate fort.
The transports arrived off Whining
ton on the night of the 18th, where they
awaited the arrival of Admiral Porter,
who Joined them on the evening Of the
18th. Although the weather had been
fine during he three days of waiting,
u hard breeze sprang up during the
night and made Il landing impractical
bic. Saturday, the oath, Christmas eve,
was a particularly bright and balmy
day for the season of the year. There
was scarcely a movement of the air,
II the sea was almost as smooth as an
inland lake. 1t was an ideal day for
the contemplated military movement.
At 12:4O p. m, the fleet began a fear
full and unremitting b~Ombardment to
cripple the fort and clear the way for
the landing of the troops, which latter,
however, did not take place Until the
next day. The firing ceased at $50, as
night began to fall, and was renewed
the next day at about 1890. Under the
cover of the bombardment. the military
forces landed.
The episode of the poWder-Ship oc-
CURED at 1:30 a. m. Saturday morning.
This was the explosion in the ship. at
some distance from the fort of 250 tons
OF powder: the design of General But
Ter being hat the conclusion of the i'm
menSe explosion would level the sand
mills of the fort. The project proved an
lngIorIous failure. The explosion was
hardIy noticed at the fort. being regard
ed IS the firing of some heavy gun for
an reason. At Wilmington,
twenty miles away. however. it was
plainly heard. a w~ell-planned scheme
which involved the use of $50 tons of
sun powder at a single stroke is an
| historical incident of no small moment
especially in view of the ends sought
10 be accomplished. Yet the silence
with which it has been treated is a
slightly humorous commentary on the
faithfuIness of history.