February 10, 1865: Plans for Taking Fort Anderson-- Part 2

To the 16 gunboats operating in the Cape Fear River, Porter issued an operation plan for the attack on Fort Anderson that was to coincide with the naval bombardment of General Hoke's flanks and the launching of General Schofield's turning movement.

The gunboats were directed to make a bows-on approach to minimize the target presented to Southern gunners, while the Monitor USS Montauk, would lay down a covering fire from close in.  When the fort's fire slackened, the light hulled gunboats were to close in and drive the gunners from their positions with grapeshot and canister.

With the enemy's battery thus silenced, the fleet would shift to carefully aimed point fire to dismount the guns.  So swiftly had the build up of force been accomplished by sea that only two weeks after the meeting between Porter and General Grant aboard the USS Malvern, which shaped the Union strategy for taking Wilmington, an irresistible juggernaut was already being forged.

--Old B-R'er