The First Battle of Fort Fisher-- Part 2: Much Ado About Nothing

Porter rthen sailed in at daylight and opened fire with the 635 heavy naval guns at his disposal.  They were throwing over a hundred shells a minute at times.  Many flew over the fort, but many struck and did little damage other than moving some sand around.

The bombardment was renewed Christmas Day and an amphibious landing was made north of Fort Fisher.  Some 2,000 Union soldiers got ashore and made their way southward toward the fort where they observed only very minimal damage to the fort.  They began skirmishing with Lamb's men.

General Robert E. Lee had dispatched Major General Robert Hoke's division from his army to assist with the defense of the fort.  His timely arrival to the north of the Union troops convince Butler to cancel his attack on the fort and return to the transports.

Federal officials were enraged by the failure to attack and removed Butler from command and replaced him with Brigadier General Alfred Terry.

Porter and Terry closed out 1864 planning for the renewed attack on Fort Fisher.

One for the Confeds.  --Old B-R'er