Attack on Fort Fisher, North Carolina
By Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans, 1865
The narrative that follows offers a firsthand account of the intense naval and land assault on Fort Fisher, a critical Confederate stronghold protecting the vital port of Wilmington, North Carolina, during the American Civil War. Penned by Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans, a key figure in the Union Navy, this detailed recollection paints a vivid picture of the preparations, the initial setbacks, and the eventual triumph of the Union forces in capturing this strategic location. Evans’s personal experiences, coupled with his insightful observations, provide a valuable glimpse into the complexities and dangers of 19th-century naval warfare.
Fort Fisher, a formidable earthwork fortification, served as the guardian of the Cape Fear River’s mouth, situated below Wilmington, North Carolina. This waterway was a favored entry point for blockade runners, vessels that daringly slipped through the Union naval blockade to supply the Confederacy with essential goods from abroad. The Union fleet, poised for action, lay in wait at Hampton Roads, Virginia, a strategic anchorage offering access to the Atlantic.
In November, Admiral David D. Porter, a renowned naval commander, assumed command of the Union forces, swiftly assembling a powerful fleet. Recognizing the magnitude of the task ahead, Porter oversaw meticulous preparations for active service. Boilers and machinery were thoroughly overhauled, ensuring optimal performance. Magazines, shell rooms, and storehouses were replenished with ample supplies of ammunition and provisions. To hone their skills and accuracy, the sailors engaged in constant target practice with all the ship’s guns. By the end of November, Hampton Roads had become the stage for an awe-inspiring sight: the largest fleet ever assembled under the American flag, encompassing a diverse array of vessels, from the imposing monitors to the nimble gunboats.
The ultimate destination of this formidable armada was shrouded in secrecy, carefully guarded to prevent the Confederates from anticipating their movements. However, the scale of the preparations hinted at an impending, significant operation. The rigorous daily target practice left no doubt that Admiral Porter intended for his gunners to strike with precision when the moment of truth arrived. Furthermore, the men’s frequent landing drills on the beach suggested the possibility of shore service, indicating a potential land assault. The strategic importance of Attack on Fort Fisher, North Carolina was clear.
Early in December, troopships arrived, carrying approximately 13,000 soldiers under the command of General Benjamin F. Butler. Yet, despite the arrival of the ground forces, the fleet’s destination remained a closely held secret. By the middle of December, all preparations were finalized, and the fleet set sail under sealed orders, adding an element of suspense and anticipation to the unfolding events.
Prior to departing from Fortress Monroe, General Butler proposed a daring, albeit unconventional, plan involving a powder boat. His idea was to load an old steamer with a massive quantity of gunpowder and detonate it near the forts on Federal Point, including Fort Fisher, with the hope of inflicting significant damage. Butler expressed confidence that the explosion would dismount a substantial number of the Confederate guns and level their fortifications. Consequently, an aged steamer, the Georgiana, was packed with hundreds of tons of powder and handed over to the navy to carry out the explosive mission. A crew of volunteers took charge of the Georgiana, ready to steer her toward her final, fiery destiny. Despite Butler’s optimism, most naval officers harbored doubts about the effectiveness of the powder boat, though few anticipated just how insignificant the damage would ultimately be. The Attack on Fort Fisher, North Carolina was underway.
At eleven o’clock on the night of December 24th, Admiral Porter, aboard his flagship, the side-wheeled steamer Malvern, steamed among the assembled fleet. He signaled a crucial message: "Powder boat will blow up at 1:30 A.M. Be prepared to get underway, and stand in to engage the fort!" The announcement shattered any hopes of sleep, plunging the fleet into a state of heightened anticipation. The sailors stood watch, their senses on high alert, as the hours slowly ticked by. One-thirty came and went without an explosion, fueling anxieties of a potential mishap. However, just as the ship’s bells struck two o’clock, the earth-shattering event occurred. First, a gentle vibration rippled through the vessels, followed by a violent shaking of masts and spars, as if they were about to collapse. Then, a low rumble, reminiscent of distant thunder, echoed across the water, while the sky to the west was illuminated for a few brief seconds. Enormous clouds of powder smoke lingered over the land, resembling ominous thunderclouds. The powder boat had undoubtedly detonated, and as the fleet rapidly organized for battle, a palpable sense of curiosity spread throughout the ships, each sailor eager to witness the extent of the explosion’s impact.
As dawn approached, the Union fleet advanced toward Fort Fisher. However, even before they were within firing range, General Butler’s flagship appeared, speeding directly toward the Confederate stronghold. Fort Fisher, silhouetted against the morning sky, appeared formidable, its defenses seemingly untouched by the previous night’s explosion. All was quiet until Butler’s ship approached within range, when a sudden flash erupted from the fort, followed by a thunderous roar. Every gun along the face of the Confederate work opened fire on the Union vessel. If Butler had entertained any illusions of landing unopposed, he was quickly disabused of them. The rapid maneuvering of his ship to retreat offshore demonstrated the effectiveness of the Confederate fire. The last glimpse of Butler’s flagship showed it steaming eastward at full speed, its engines working at maximum capacity. The powder boat had failed to achieve its intended purpose, and the General was left bitterly disappointed. A Confederate newspaper later reported that a Yankee gunboat had exploded on the beach, resulting in the loss of all hands aboard. This initial failure did not deter the Union forces from pursuing the Attack on Fort Fisher, North Carolina.
Having been awake for much of the night, the Union sailors’ only sustenance was coffee and hardtack. As the ships approached their designated positions, Commodore Schenck ordered Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans aloft with a pair of glasses to locate Confederate guns that were causing trouble. The morning was raw and cold, and Evans was wearing a short, double-breasted coat, with several pieces of hardtack stowed in its pockets. Reaching his position in the mizzen rigging, just below the top, he placed a corner of hardtack between his teeth, using it as a makeshift bite while scanning the coastline for enemy artillery.
He quickly located the troublesome guns and observed the Confederate gunners training one of them in his direction, until only the muzzle was visible. Evans watched with keen interest, knowing that the gun was now aimed directly at his position. Suddenly, a puff of smoke erupted from the gun, and an object resembling a lamppost flashed across his field of vision. A moment later, the rigging was severed just four feet below him, and he swung precariously into the mast. His immediate thought was of the hardtack, but it was gone, leaving not even a crumb. He was certain that he had swallowed it whole in the shock. After reporting the location of the battery, he was instructed to descend to his station, which was in charge of a division of guns. He hesitated, his knees shaking, fearing that his men would notice his nervousness. However, he had no choice but to come down. Upon reaching the deck, he stood up straight and inspected his legs, relieved that they did not betray his inner tremor. He soon forgot his fear as he became absorbed in his work, the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
The ships anchored in shallow water, with only 18 inches of clearance beneath their keels, and commenced firing rapidly. A wrecked blockade runner lay between the Union ships and the Confederate battery, indicating that it had been used as a target and that the range was well known. The Confederate gunners initially fired one or two shots in line with the wreck, each one landing closer to the Union ships. Then, a ten-inch shot struck one of the Union vessels. Four more shots followed, each hitting nearly the same spot, forward of the starboard wheel and penetrating through to the berth deck. Suddenly, the shot and shell began to pass overhead, striking the water thirty or forty feet away. The Confederate gunners likely could not see the splash of these shots and assumed they were hitting their target. Had they not adjusted their range, they would have sunk the Union ship within an hour. As it was, the ship hauled out at sundown, heavily damaged and leaking, requiring the crew to shift all the guns to the port side to cover the shot holes. The naval attack was a key component to the Attack on Fort Fisher, North Carolina.
Despite the damage sustained by the Union fleet, they had inflicted considerable damage on Fort Fisher. Some of the Confederate guns had been dismounted, and the barracks and officers’ quarters had been set ablaze. When the entire Union line was fully engaged, the spectacle was magnificent, leaving an indelible impression on all who witnessed it. No fort had ever been subjected to such a relentless barrage of fire. The Confederate garrison could only offer a feeble response, most of them seeking refuge in the bomb-proof shelters, where they remained until the Union ships withdrew for the night. The heaviest losses on the Union side were caused by the bursting of the 100-pound Parrott rifles, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of thirty-five to forty men. The Attack on Fort Fisher, North Carolina was a costly endeavor for both sides.
This account, penned by Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans in 1865, provides a compelling firsthand perspective on the fierce battle for Fort Fisher. His bravery and leadership during the attacks, even while wounded, are well-documented. The narrative was later included as a chapter in Albert Bushnell Hart’s book, The Romance of the Civil War, published in 1896. Evans continued his distinguished military career after the Civil War, until forced to retire due to health concerns.