By December 25, 1864, the USS Emma, under the command of Acting Lieut. Volunteer Thomas C. Dunn, was off New Inlet as the naval attack on the fort commenced. They were listed as being in the Reserve Line (as was the USS Montgomery under Lt. Edward H. Faucon).
At 10:15, the flagship Malvern (also a former blockade runner, the Ella and Annie which had been captured off New Inlet in 1863) gave orders to form line of battle. The Emma began firing at 11:30 a.m. against the Confederate Half Moon battery (located 4 miles north of Fort Fisher where Carolina Beach, N.C. is located today).
The Half Moon battery mounted one or two smoothbore cannons and was so named by Union troops because of its crescent shape.
The fleet, at the same time, opened fire on Fort Fisher.
The Emma sent its first and second cutters to assist in landing the Union Army troops.
From noon to 4 p.m., the Emma steamed along in line of battle. Then anchored and weighed anchor according to orders from the flagship of the landing group, the A.D. Vance (also a captured former blockade runner under the command of Lt. Cmdr. John H. Upshur).
--Old B-Runner
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