eaving Weitzel at City Point. The squadron was
at Fort Fisher on time. Butler with his troops had not arrived. Then
began the trouble. Admiral Porter gave orders to explode the
powder-boat, and all arrangements were quickly made. The squadron was to
steam ten miles out at sea. All safety valves were to be opened, lest
the concussion might cause the boilers to explode. Under cover of
darkness the powder-boat was towed by the steamer Wilderness close to
the fort. The clockwork was set, also a fire was laid in case the
clockwork failed. The crew were taken off by the Wilderness. The clock
arrangement proved a failure, but the fire, in time, caused an
explosion. Not a particle of damage was done to the fort. We afterward
learned that most of the Confederates were asleep, and some of them
never heard the explosion. The next day Butler arrived with his
transports. He was terribly angry about the powder-boat affair. In the
meantime the fleet, by divisions, had formed a line of battle. The
ironclads were close to the shore. Their fire was to be direct. The
other ships were to fire at angles with the fort so as to make an
enfilading fire as much as possible. The bombardment from so many guns
was terrific. The Confederates were soon driven into the bomb-proofs.
During the day nearly all their guns were dismounted. The next day was
Christmas, 1864. Early in the morning the landing of the troops began.
Every boat in the fleet was brought into requisition. A clear strip of
land extended from the fort to the woods, about a mile in length. A spot
near the centre of the clear space was selected as the best place for
the troops to land. A heavy surf was running on the beach. Every time a
boat-load was landed it was necessary for the crew to wade out into the
surf with the boat, and, at the proper time, jump in and pull through
the first breaker. If not quick enough, the boat would be keeled over
and over, high up on the beach. Everything was progressing finely; no
one doubted but that the fort would be captured before night. All the
white troops were on shore. We were busily engaged in landing Butler's
pet coloured troops. What was our astonishment on receiving orders to
re-embark the troops and bring off the negroes first, and then Ben
Butler's transports started immediately for Washington, with that
gallant hero on board! A heavy gale of wind set in from the northeast
and continued to increase in fury as the night approached; consequent