REPORT OF COMMODORE S. W. GODON. UNITED STATES FRIGATE SUSQUEHANNA, OFF FORT FISHER, N. C., December 28, 1864. SIR-I have the honor to make the following report on the movements of this ship during the engagement of the twenty-fourth and twentyfifth of December, with Fort Fisher and batteries: At about meridian of the twenty-fourth instant, in obedience to general signal, I fell into line of battle, and in regular order drew into my station, as per plan of attack, opening fire from my starboard battery of eight (8) nine-inch guns, and two (2) one-hundred-and-fifty-pounders, at two o'clock. I did not, however, get fairly placed with anchors down until three o'clock, when I continued a smart fire until ordered out in. The batteries between Fort Fisher and the Mound being abreast of us, my position was an admirable one for engaging these batteries, and my nine-inch guns were principally employed in doing this, as it was only by these we were annoyed, with an occasional shot from the Mound. During this day not a shot fell short, which accounts for my increased expenditure of nine-inch shell. At 2:10 P. M. we opened fire, which was replied to by the batteries abreast of us more vigorously than the day before. I am not aware of having received a single shot from Fort Fisher this day. At 3:30 P. M. a port main shroud was shot away; soon after we were struck three (3) times in pretty rapid succession. One (1) shot struck us under number three port, three (3) feet above the water-line, passing through into a store-room, and deposit-of action at 5:30 P. M. The firing from Fort ing itself in a mattress; it is a solid eight-inch shot. Two (2) shot struck under number two port, twenty (20) inches below the water line, one (1) remaining in the side and the other going through and lodging in a beam on the On the twenty-fifth I did not get into position orlop deck, causing the ship to leak badly. A until twenty minutes past two P. M., when I tried glancing shot struck the stern of the ship, but my rifle range at about one thousand seven hundid no material injury, and some of our running dred yards, and anchored within half a ship's rigging shot away. At 4:10 P. M., having ex-length on the starboard bow of the Colorado, as pended all the ammunition for eleven-inch and directed by verbal orders, and opened with the rifles, and nearly all for my nine-inch guns, made nine-inch guns most effectively, using but one signal," Ammunition I am short of," which was division at a time. The enemy's fire, as on the replied to "Save some," and immediately after, day before, was feeble and not sustained, and "Discontinue the action," when I weighed my was several times silenced for half an hour. anchor, lifted my kedge, and hauled out of line. Held my position until ordered to withdraw at During this day's action we fired four hun- fifty-five minutes past four, but afterward dred and ninety-four (494) nine-inch shell, fifty-steamed up to Minnesota's stern and remained two (52) eleven-inch shell, and seventy-two (72) rifle shell. Fisher was not sustained, and was often silenced for a considerable time. The distance, however, seemed too great, although the practice was good, and kept the fire of the enemy down. there, with a slight renewal of my fire, until ordered to retire from action and reserve ammunition, then growing short, for the assault. In conclusion, I beg leave to state that every officer and man on board this ship, under my Although fairly exposed, received but few command, did his duty nobly, and I have yet to hits, and no damage of the slightest consehear of any complaint, either of officer or man,quence. The enemy's practice was bad on except as to the failure to take advantage of our both days, owing, I presume, to the steady and two (2) days' work. With regard to the "dam- well-directed fire of the large ships and ironage apparently done to the works," I must con- clads. fess that I was paying more attention to the proper management of my own battery than the general effect; but it appears to me utterly impossible that any works could withstand such a fire and not be terribly damaged; and I am also fully impressed with the belief that by a prompt and vigorous assault late in the afternoon of either day, Fort Fisher might have been taken by a comparatively small force, say one thousand (1,000) resolute men. Fort Fisher was silenced; the Mound firing feebly; the only active firing from the enemy that I witnessed was from the two (2) or three (3) guns that annoyed me, and as long as my ammunition permitted me to fire rapidly I could keep them pretty quiet. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, From my position on the wheel-house, overlooking my entire battery, I had every officer and man under my observation, and I have sincere pleasure in testifying to the fine bearing, zeal, and gallantry of the division officers, viz.: Lieutenant Bartlett and Acting Ensign Rhoades of the first division; Lieutenant Brown, commanding second division; Acting Ensign Laycock, commanding third division; Acting Master Porter, commanding fourth division, and First Lieutenant William Wallace, who, with his fine company of marines, handled most ef fectively two extra nine-inch guns. Lieutenant Commander Blake, my Executive Officer, is all I can desire in battle-cool and collected, calm and intelligent. He is my right-hand man. I also beg to call special attention to Ensign Preble, the Master of this ship, who, whether under fire or any other circumstances, has Commodore, Commanding U. 8. Steamer Powhatan, 3d. proved himself without a superior in intelli JAMES FINDLAY SCHENCK, Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Division N. A. Squadron. Commanding N. A. Squadron. gence or ability on board the vessel. My aid, Master's Mate Cooper, was prompt in answering signals, and in his spare moments used the twelve-pounder howitzer on the hurricane-deck with effect. Thanks to the officers of the powder division, Acting Ensign Burnham, Gunner Waugh, and Sailmaker Holbrook, the ammunition was promptly supplied throughout the engagement. The engines, under the control of Chief-Engineer Johnson and his able assistants, were at all times ready for duty. Boatswain Z. Whitmarsh and Carpenter J. E. Miller, stationed in the master's division, not only performed their own duties with intelligence, but gave valuable aid whenever they could. The subordinate officers of the divisions, the captains of the guns and their spirited crews, have my thanks for their labors those two days. In short, I have every reason to believe that in action this ship will always be found efficient wherever she may be placed. If no more satisfactory results were obtained by the fleet from the operations of the twentyfourth and twenty-fifth, we must look to the army for the cause. The navy seems to have sustained itself. I forward herewith the report of injuries to the hull and rigging, as also Gunner's report of expenditure of ammunition. The reports of the commanding officers in this division will be forwarded as soon as re ceived. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient Commodore, Commanding Susquehanna and Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, REPORT OF COM. WILLIAM RADFORD. UNITED STATES STEAMER NEW IRONSIDER, } SIR-I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your orders, I took position under the guns of Fort Fisher, from thirteen to fifteen hundred yards distant, or as near as the depth of water would permit, the monitors Canonicus, Monadnock, and Mahopac following the new Ironsides in. As soon as I anchored I opened my starboard battery, and continued a welldirected fire for some five (5) hours. Night coming on, I hauled off, in obedience to orders. On the morning of the twenty-fifth the iron-clad division again led in under the guns of Fort Fisher and took the position we occupied the day previous. The Saugus, having arrived the night previous, took her station, and this division, in connection with the others, drove the men from the guns in the fort, they only firing one or two guns, and those at long intervals. All the monitors were handled and fought well. Lieutenant Commander Belknap took the inshore berth, and is reported to have dismounted one or more guns in the fort. siderably injured. Several guns were reported to have been dismounted, two explosions took place, and three fires. The face of the fort was very much ploughed up by the shells from the fleet. If the fort was uninjured (as a defensive work) no artillery known to modern warfare can do it. My impression is, that any considerable number of troops could have stormed and taken the fort immediately after the second day's bombardment, with but little loss. All the officers and men belonging to the New Commodore, Commanding Iron-clad Division, OFF BEAUFORT, N. C., December 30, 1864. receipt of your General Order, No. 75, and SIR-I have the honor to acknowledge the I rise from my sick-bed to give it an instant reply. the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth instant was The part that this ship took in the actions of as follows: On each day she took the position assigned to her in your plan of battle, and kept up a constant fire upon Fort Fisher from the moment of anchoring until ordered to withdraw. On the twenty-fourth, after having been engaged about an hour, she moved from her first anchorage, in company of several other ships, by your order, to a position nearer to the fort, thus rendering her fire more effective. During the two days she fired six hundred and eighty-one (681) shells, all but seventeen (17) of which were delivered by seven (7) guns. After obtaining the range, the firing appeared to me like targetpractice. The falling of the shells of the fleet was 80 incessant that the enemy was frequently unable to return our fire for long intervals. Several conflagrations occurred in the fort, and I saw one explosion. It was my impression that we had done much injury to the works, as it is impossible for me to conceive that such a weight of fire, so long continued, and falling so accurately, could have left them "substantially uninjured.' I was very much surprised and disappointed on learning that the troops had re-embarked. I saw no attack by them which looked like an earnest one, and, for a time, I entertained a hope that the fort had proved an easy capture, from the feebleness of the musketry firing, so long as we remained within sight and hearing of it. I am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. ROGERS TAYLOR, Captain United States Navy. Judging from the immense number of shells Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, which struck the fort, it must have been con U. S. Navy, Com'dg N. A Squadron, Beaufort, N. G. REPORT OF CAPTAIN D. B. RIDGELY, UNITED STATES STEAMER SHENANDOAH, } SIR-I have the honor to report the part taken by the Shenandoah in the bombardment of Fort Fisher and the batteries at New Inlet on the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth instant. The Shenandoah was signalled, when in line of battle, to come within hail of the Admiral, and was ordered by him to take a position near the Ironsides and open on the batteries of Fort Fisher. The position was immediately taken, and this ship commenced firing at Fort Fisher with two rifles and two ele ven-inch guns, the shells falling inside of Fort Fisher, apparently with good effect. At two P. M. a large fire broke out within the fort. At ten minutes past three the flag of the fort was shot away by the fleet. At 3:50 P. M. was ordered by the Admiral to go closer in. We steamed in and anchored, head and stern, close to the Ironsides and Monadnock. We fired from the new position with deliberation and good effect. At ten minutes past five P. M. signal was made to retire from action, when this ship withdrew.. The fire from Fort Fisher during the bombardment this day was very slack and feeble. A few shots fell near the monitors and a few went over us. The conflagration in the fort seemed to be of considerable extent, and continued until after nightfall. The shells of the fleet were exploding on the parapet and inside of the fort so rapidly that it was difficult to make out what guns they were using. One shot carried away our stern ladder during the bombardment of this day. On the morning of the twenty-fifth instant got under way with the fleet in line of battle. At two P. M. the Admiral signalled to the Shenandoah to await further orders. Twenty minutes afterward we were ordered to take position ahead of the Juniata. We anchored a ship's length ahead of the Juniata, and three ship's lengths outside of a wreck on the bar, and opened deliberate deliberately on a water battery, to the west of Fort Fisher, of four guns. We succeeded in silencing three of the guns, which were not used again during the engagement. To the westward of this battery was another, of two guns, that seemed to be casemated. They fired very slowly, but in good line. The shells from one of them fell a few yards short of us, and the others just over us. The firing from the guns on the Mound was very slow, and with so much elevation that they went over the fleet. We succeeded in exploding a one-hundred-and-fifty-pounder rifle-shell near the top of the Mound. At thirty-five minntes past four P. M. was ordered to withdraw and stand outside of the Minnesota. At forty-five minutes past five P. M, a large fire broke out just in the rear of the batteries, which continued until after night. Be tween Fort Fisher and the Mound batteries we could discern two guns dismounted by the fire of the fleet. After the second day's bombardment I could see nothing more for the navy to do than to await the assault by the land forces, which did not take place as I expected. It affords me much gratification to speak of the cool bearing of Lieutenant S. W. Nichols, the Executive Officer, and other officers, and the crew of this ship, during the two days' bombardment. I enclose a memorandum of the expenditure of ammunition on the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth instant. I am, very respectfully, &c., Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, REPORT OF CAPTAIN JAMES ALDEN. SIR-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of General Order, No. 75, which not only calls upon commanding officers to give you a report of the part they took in the action of the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth instant, but also their impressions as to the damage done to the enemy's works, the effect of our firing, and the defensibility of the fort after we had finished the bombardment. On the first day, the twenty-fourth, this ship was in line of attack, and opened fire on Fort Fisher at ten minutes to one P. M., being then within good "ten-second” range. The fire was kept up, with occasional intermissions for the men to rest, till fifteen minutes past five (more than four hours), when darkness intervened, and the signal was made to retire. The enemy's fire, during the whole of that time, was much less than that of one of our large ships; an occasional shot was fired from Fort Fisher; a very feeble and desultory reply to our fire was kept up by the forts between the main work and the Mound battery, which latter was heard from but five or six times during the whole afternoon. In a word, I am satisfied, from past experience, that if this ship, or any one of the larger ones, could have gotten near enough, say within two or three hundred yards, she would not only have silenced their batteries fully and entirely, but would have driven every rebel from the point. On the second day, the twenty-fifth, this ship was sent to silence some of the enemy's earthworks, which were contiguous to the place fixed upon for the disembarking of the troops, to shell the woods, and to cover their landing. The first troops landed at about two P. M.: sent all our boats to assist. At four o'clock, just two hours after the landing commenced, the General commanding came alongside the ship and said, "It has become necessary to reembark the troops; will you send your boats to assist?" You can judge of my surprise at the turn affairs been in it before dark, and in quiet possession without firing a shot. With great respect, I am your obedient servant, JAMES ALDEN, Commanding North Atlantic Squadron. REPORT OF COM. J. C. HOWELL. had taken, for at that moment everything seem- The next day, the twenty-sixth, the surf was too high for safe transit from the shore, and this vessel was employed in making a reconnoissance of the enemy's works. Nothing new. however, was discovered. and, after exchanging a few shots with Fort Fisher, we returned to the anchorage for the night. The following day all our boats were sent, and, after some difficulty, the remaining troops were safely embarked. I have endeavored in the above to give you my ideas of the effect of our fire on the enemy's works, which was to almost silence them. In regard to the damage done, it is, under the circumstances, impossible for any one to tell without a closer inspection, for, as you remember at Forts Jackson and St. Philip, everything on the outside seemed in statu quo, hardly any trace of injury was apparent, but on entering and looking around, the terrible effect of the bombardment was manifest at every turn. So, too, at Fort Morgan, little or no injury could be discovered from without, but, upon close examination, it was found that almost every gun on its carriage was seriously damaged, if not entirely destroyed. Now, as to the "defensibility" of the fort. The rebels, I am satisfied, considered, from the moment that our troops obtained a footing on the shore, the work (battered as it was), was untenable, and were merely waiting for some one to come and take it. * * * The General commanding furnishes us with proof of that fact, I think. In his letter to you, informing you of his determination to withdraw, a copy of which you sent me, he says that "three or four men ventured upon the parapet and through the sallyport of the work, capturing a horse, which they brought off; and also brought away from the parapet the flag of the fort." This was all done in open day and without resistance, if, indeed, there was any body there who was disposed to question their right to such trophies. From that and other current testimony, I am satisfied that if our troops had not been stopped in their triumphant march toward Fort Fisher, they would have Captain. UNITED STATES STEAMER NEREUS, BEAUFORT, N. C., January 3, 1865. ADMIRAL This vessel having been ordered to support the ironclads during the attack on Fort Fisher, on the twenty-fifth day of December, I stood in to three fathoms water, and at 11:8 A. M. opened fire; at 12:40 P. M. was ordered to shell the woods; at 1:12 P. M. ordered to assist in landing troops; at 2:15 P. M. Flag-pond battery, at which this vessel and two or three surrendered to the navy. There was no gun in small gunboats had been firing occasionally, the battery. Some sixty-five or seventy prisoners were taken. At 9:45 one of the Nereus' boats returned, the officer stating that he had been employed embarking troops. But December twenty-sixth, heavy sea on. one boat, and that in charge of Acting Master E. L. Haines, of this vessel, got off during the day. night. Engaged shelling woods during the day and ployed in embarking troops; shelling woods. December twenty-seventh, boats and men emAt about twelve M. General Curtis and two of ficers visited the ship. General Curtis desired to express his acknowledgments to Acting Master E. L. Haines and Ensign G. M. Smith, and the boats' crews of the Nereus, for courage and perseverance in getting off his command. He informed me that if he had not been ordered back, and had been supported by the troops on shore, he could, in his opinion, have carried Fort Fisher. From all the information I have been able to gain on the subject, I think he was correct in his views. There was no exception to the excellent conduct of officers and men. I am indebted to Lieutenant H. E. Mullan for intelligent services. I am, very respectfully, your obedient serJ. C. HOWELL, vant. Commander. Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, } REPORT OF COM. DANIEL AMMEN. UNITED STATES STEAMER MOHICAN, OFF BEAUFORT, N. C., December 31, 1864. ADMIRAL-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your General Order, No. 75, directing commanding officers to make their report in relation to our attack on Fort Fisher and the adjacent earthworks, and also a copy of a communication to you from Major-General Benjamin F. Butler, and in regard to some points touched upon you request an opinion. At about half-past eleven A. M., of the twenty fourth the fleet got under way and stood in, in line of battle toward Fort Fisher, bearing about west south-west, and some six or seven miles distant. The Mohican was kept closely in position assigned, following the leading vessel, the frigate Minnesota, and followed by the frigate Colorado, and she successively by the other vessels forming the main line. At about one P. M., the Minnesota sheered in out of line and took up her position at anchor, opening at once on Fort Fisher, some twenty. one hundred yards distant. As per plan of battle, the Mohican sheered in ahead of her, fired slowly on the fort to get a range and anchored, then opened briskly with the whole battery. The fort had opened on the Minnesota and on the Mohican previous to our anchoring. The Colorado sheered in ahead of us, letting go kedge astern, and then anchored and opened fiercely on the fort. The vessels forming the line then successively, with more or less success, took up their positions and opened. The ironclads, led by the New Ironsides, had anchored a few minutes preceding the Minnesota, some five or six hundred yards to the northward and westward, and were slowly get ting their range when we anchored, and the outer line of vessels moved into position after the main line had anchored and opened on the Mound and several detached casemated guns. The fire from the fort became weak as the vessels anchored and opened fire. It was soon apparent that they could not work their barbette guns without great loss of life, and the guns' crews, no doubt, retreated under shelter, with a few exceptions, where high traverses and favorable angles gave them great protection. Different casemated guns, particularly those mounted in detached mounds and toward the Mound, continued to fire slowly and evidently with not much effect, nor would the position of the guns served favor an effective fire. The whole body of Fort Fisher was filled with bursting shells, and only at long intervals, if at all, was a gun fired from the main work. In the meantime, owing to the wind and the set of the tide, I found that the use of the propeller and the helm would no longer enable me to bring the broadside to bear, and was obliged to weigh anchor and manoeuvre under steam, holding our position as nearly as possible, and avoiding interfering with the firing of the other vessels. After exhausting all the filled nine-inch shells on board ready for use, the Mohican was withdrawn from the line at about ten minutes past four P. M., making signal to you of the cause, and we commenced filling shells without delay, After sunset the fleet withdrew, and the Mohican ran into line and anchored. At about nine A. M. of the twenty-fifth, signal was made to get under way and form line of battle. The Mohican took her position, and the fleet stood in to the attack. When nearly under fire we were directed verbally from you "not to take position until further orders." The Minnesota, the leading vessel of the main line, proceeded in and aucnored, got under way, and after various attempts obtained a well-chosen position, the main line awaiting her movements. The ironclads having proceeded during this time, were in position, firing slowly and receiving a part of the fire of Fort Fisher. After the position of the Minnesota was satisfactory, I received orders from you about noon to take position close astern of the New Ironsides, which I did without delay, firing slowly until a good range was obtained; then opened briskly on the fort. I was enabled to see, through the absence of smoke, that our fire was very effective, delivered at a short tensecond range. One of the rebel guns was seen to be dismounted by our fire. Half an hour after we had anchored the Colorado passed ahead of the Minnesota and into position, anchoring and delivering a very effective fire. The whole line soon took position and opened very heavily and evidently with great effect, driving the rebels from their guns, with a few exceptions, as those in casemates and other places sheltered and distant. The position of the Mohican enabled me to see well, as I was first at anchor within half a ship's length of the New Ironsides, and finding that anchoring impeded an effective use of the battery, I weighed and in delivering fire drifted one or two hundred yards nearer the fort. At five minutes past two P. M. the supply of ten-second fuses and the rifle ammunition was exhausted, and the Mohican was withdrawn from action for the purpose of obtaining more, speaking the Malvern for the purpose, and obtaining none. Not being directed to go under fire again, we remained spectators near the Minnesota until about four P. M., when I received orders to aid in debarking troops, and proceeded to execute, but instead of debarking, aided in bringing off the soldiers that had already reached the shore. It has not been my lot to witness any operations comparable in force or in effect to the bombardment of Fort Fisher by the fleet, and I feel satisfied that any attempt to keep out of their bomb-proofs or to work their guns would have been attended with great loss of life to the rebels, and would have proven a fruitless attempt. On the first day we delivered two hundred and seventeen (217) nine-inch shells, fifty-nine (59) one hundred-pound rifle, and eighty-nine (89) thirty-pound rifle shells. On the second day we delivered one hundred and three (103) nine-inch shells, twenty (20) one hundred-pound rifle, and twenty-five (25) thirty-pound rifle shells, making a total of five hundred and thir teen. Our firing was effective as well as rapid, and I have to express my high appreciation of the ability and zeal of Lieutenant J. D. Marvin, the Executive Officer of this vessel, and of Acting Master William Burditt, whose long and varied professional experience proved useful; Acting |