The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-01-12

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sand and logs would be Jared down
by conclusion, and the alarm and con
fusion to follow would paralyze the
garrison. and Il prompt advance from
all points would enable the assailants
to secure the works.
The floating mine consisted of an
iron hull propeller of 295 tons, the Lou
tsiana, with light upper deck special
ly prepared for the work. The powder
amounting to 100000 pounds. was plac-
ed in barrels and canvas bags. through
each of which passed fuse arranged
in four separate threads and terminal
ing at the stern in pile of combusti-
bles. The combustibles were TO be
fired by a percussion cap set off by
clOckwOrk, by spermaceti candles and
slow match.
The naval preparations were on the
grandest scale, and it was intended to
open on the fort with hundreds of can
non il case the explosion did not
accom- fish the destruction, so that
the lar columns could advance with
prospect of success. The largest fleet
that had ever sailed under the Ameri-
can flag assembled off the coast, led
by the New Ironsides, a powerful iron
clad, with sixteen guns in broadside.
There were four other ironclads, the
Canonicus, the Mahopac, the Monad-
mock and the Saugus, and the screw
frigateS Minnesota, Colorado and Wa
BASH The remainder, to the number
of fifty, consisted of gunboats. side
wheelers, double enders and other
steamers converted into warships. The
total amount was 619 guns. The land
column consisted of several thousand
men, commanded by General Godfrey
WeitZel. They were brought up in
transports and were to effect a landing
under cover of the guns of the ships.
The garrison of Fort Fisher at this
time numbered 1000 men, 45O of them
being junior reserves or local troops.
Much was expected of the navy, be-
cause it was found that there was
seven feet of water ON the beach. Aft
err several attempts to have the trans
ports with the troops and the war
vessels rendezvous at some point off
the fort, the navy alone weathered the
gales that blew for several days and
reached the position on the night OF
the 23d of December About midnight
the powder boat was placed at anchor
300 yards from the beach opposite
the fort and the match was applied.
At 40 the explosions occurred. four
in number At daylight the vessels
stood in for the scene. The fort was
still there, grim and defiant its flag
floating proudly and no evidence of
injury visible. The transports with
troops were not up, and Porter order
ed the bombardment to begin. The
New Ironsides led, taking position in
gallant style under fire from several
guns of the fort. The entire fleet drew
up i'll lines as detailed, and the fire
was directed with great deliberation
upon particular guns in the huge work
The fort answered and fired 672 shots
at the fleet. The commander ordered
the firing to cease, because his supply
of ammunition was limited. The navy,
believing the enemy had been silenced,
withdrew.
During the night of the oath the
transports brought up the troops, and
arrangements were made to continue
the bombardment on the 25th and fol
low it up by land assault. A column
under General Adelbert Ames was
formed ON the seacoast and advanced
20 haIf ha
turing an outwork and some men. Gen
eral WeitZel went to the front in per-
son and saw that the fort had not been
seriously injured and reported it i'm
pregnable. The navy kept up steady
fire, and it was observed that the gar
rison left the parapets where the shots
struck, but were out in full force at
other points. Wherever the fire took
effect the sand walls were scooped out
leaving great gaps, so that there was
no longer a continuous line of shelter
for troops.
The bombardment ON the 25th lasted
seven hours, and the fire was returned
at intervals by the guns of the fort.
The Confederates fired 900 shots at the
fleet and used some grape and canister
on the troops. Five guns on the works
were disabled by the naval fire on the
25th. Three had been disabled on the
Oath and one had burst, leaving thirty
four yet in position. The fort gave the
parting shots as the vessels We're re-
firing. In the two days bombardment
the Confederates lost six killed and fif-
by-five wounded.
General Butler had learned from the
prisoners taken that there was a large
land force of Confederates, the divi-
sion of General Hoke from Petersburg,
on the peninsula in rear of his land
column. On the night of the 25th he
notified Admiral Porter that he would
sail with his transport fleet to Hamp-
ton Roads. Buffers decision was final,
although the admiral stated that he
was about to receive fresh ammuni-
ton and would fire much faster than
he had done and hoped that General
Butler would leave force on land to
press the assault.
Admiral Porter complained in his dis
patches to the navy department that