Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

Q. 17. At the time our skirmish line was deployed before the fort, what was the condition of the guns and defences upon the land side, as to efficiency for a defensive purpose?

A. The guns and defences on the land front were in perfect order at the time referred to, except two (2) disabled guns on the left; nineteen guns in position palisade in perfect order, and the mines the same, the wires not having been cut.

Q. 18. In view of the condition of the fort and its garrison, would it have been possible, with ither three (3) or six (6) thousand men, to have taken the work by assault? (Note. In answering this question, please give as many of the details for the reason you may give as possible.)

A. Possible, yes. Probable, no. The work was very strong, the garrison in good spirits and ready; and the fire on the approaches (the assaulting column having no cover) would have been extraordinarily heavy. In addition to the heavy guns, I had a battery of Napoleons, on which I placed great reliance. The palisade alone would have been a most formidable obstacle.

Q. 19. Please state whether with a force holding the beach, from the nature of the ground and from the configuration of the channel of Cape Fear River, it would have been possible for the Confederates to have reinforced or provisioned the fort to any extent?

A. No difficulty at all by the river. . . .

Q. 21. In view of the condition of the weather immediately following the demonstration of the 25th of December, and in view of the force that might have concentrated upon the peninsula, as well above as below the place of landing, would it, in your judgment, have been possible for six thousand (6,000) men, without artillery, to have held out there, without being captured or overwhelmed, from the 26th of December to the 15th of January?

A. No; and it is a matter of grave charge against General Bragg, that the whole force was not captured on the 26th of December. He had the force and the position.

Q. 22. Please state, as specifically as you may be able, the differences in the condition of the fort from the fire of the navy at the time of the first and second attack. Please state the effect of the fire.

A. There was great difference in the position of the ships in the two attacks, and in the nature and effect of the fire. The first was a general bombardment, not calculated to effect particular damage. The second firing had for definite object the destruction of the land defences, and the ships were placed accordingly, to destroy them by enfilade and direct fire. On that front and the northeast salient the whole enormous fire was poured without intermission, until the slope of the northeast salient was practicable for assault. Not a gun remained in position on the approaches, the whole palisade swept away, communication with the mines cut off, rendering them useless, and the men unable to stand to the parapets during the fire. There was all the difference in the world.

Q. 23. Please state whether or not the fire of the navy, at the time of the second attack, was, unlike the time of the first attack, continuous; and if so, for how long, and what number of guns were dismounted by it?