March 10, 1865: Difficulties in Getting to Fayetteville on the Cape Fear River-- Part 1

MARCH 10TH, 1865:  Lieutenant Commander Young reported to Porter progress in clearing the Cape Fear River for support of Sherman's troops who were now at Fayetteville.  Only small ships or  or steam launches could provide upriver service .

"The gate obstructions are all clear, so that three or four vessels can pass abreast.  The obstructions on the line of the two sunken steamers, where the buoy flags were planted, it will be necessary to take great pains to raise carefully.  We have succeeded in destroying some four torpedoes which were found lodged in the logs of the obstructions."

--Old B-Runner