Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Union Determination to Take Fort Fisher "Without the Former Commander"

DECEMBER 30, 1864:  Determined to take Wilmington and close the South's last important port but dissatisfied with General Butler's leadership, Rear Admiral Porter strongly urged the general's removal from command.

General Grant wrote Porter: "Please hold on where you are for a few days and I will endeavor to be back again with an increased force and without the former commander."

Ships of the fleet kept up a steady bombardment of Fort Fisher to restrict the erection of new works and the repair of the damaged face of the fort.

(It is of interest that Porter, although highly in favor of the powder ship experiment had come to say that he knew it wouldn't work.  just another Butler idea.)

--Old B-R'er

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