Initial Fort Fisher Attack Called Off

DECEMBER 18TH, 1864:  Commander Rhind and his brave crew of volunteers aboard the USS Louisiana were towed in toward Fort Fisher by the USS Wilderness to be exploded and perhaps knock down the fort.

They found the ocean swells too severe and turned back.

Major General Butler, still at Beaufort, saw the weather worsening and asked Porter to postpone the attempt to blow up his powder boat (it was his idea) until the sea was calm enough to land his troops safely.

The attack was called off.

(It is strange to me that the Navy attack was to commence without Army support being there on the scene.)

--Old B-Runner