Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 2

[332] he approached the shore, and drew up his troops parallel with Terry's command, to watch, and, if possible, intercept the operation; but the cover afforded by the naval fire prevented the rebels from offering any opposition; and, after the landing was once effected, Myrtle sound intervened between the national force and the enemy, so that any rebel attack or movement around its inner extremity would have to be made under the fire of the whole fleet. Hoke therefore simply established a line facing the sea, and threw out cavalry to his right to observe the national movements.¹

Porter this day pursued a somewhat different plan from that he had adopted at the first bombardment. At half-past 7 on the 13th, he sent the iron-clads in alone, thus tempting the enemy to engage them that he might ascertain what guns the rebels had, and be able to dismount them; for so much had been said about the guns not being dismounted, although silenced, in the first bombardment, that he determined now to dismount as many as possible. The fort opened on the monitors as they approached, but they quickly took up their old position and returned the rebel fire. The engagement soon became spirited. Traverses began to crumble, and the northeast angle of Fort Fisher looked very dilapidated.

After the troops were all debarked, Porter signalled to the larger vessels also to attack the batteries, one division remaining to cover the landing party. The vessels took their positions handsomely,