Chronicles of the Cape Fear River

Wednesday, February 15:—We started last night at dark

and found the pontoons were very slow in getting up even with
our lines. A division of Terry’s command preceded mine, hav-
ing the pontoons in charge. The train became much scattered
before it reached our advanced line of works, and part of the
boats did not get any farther. It was nearly midnight when
the train reached the Half-Moon Battery, about a mile in front
of our line, where our outer picket is placed. We got about a
mile beyond this on our former trip, and on this occasion we
succeeded in getting about a mile farther than then. Only
eighteen of the boats would be got up, and it became evident
that no crossing could be effected before daylight, even if the
rest of the boats could be got up by that time. It also appeared
that the enemy were on the qui vive, and we could see their
camp fires on the other side of the sound. As we had not boats
enough to make a bridge, and the appearance was that the
passage would be disputed, General Schofield again determined
to give up the plan, and we countermarched to camp, getting
back about 2.30 o’clock in the morning. The weather was
pleasanter than we had reason to expect, for it grew milder all
night and ended by raining hard this morning. The clouds
partly concealed the moon, but it seems to me impossible that
the enemy should not have seen us, as the strip of sand is so
narrow and the line of surf makes such a white background for
the dark masses of the moving column. My own preference
would have been to give up the movement as soon as it was
evident that the pontoons would be behind time, so as not to let
the enemy have any idea of the movement, which from that
time was certain to prove a failure. I suspect, however, that
the plan was a suggestion of Colonel Comstock, one of Grant’s
staff, who is with us as engineer, and that General Schofield
on that account thought it best not to stop till it had been well
tried. The fleet bringing our Second Division is said to have
arrived yesterday. The delay of the pontoons above spoken of
was owing to the impossibility of dragging a heavily loaded
truck in the soft sand with scant teams.

Thursday, February 16:—Moved the command by steamboat
to Smithville, on the other side of the bay, with a view to
operate on that side of Cape Fear River. Baggage did not get
down till dark. Orders given to move up the river at 8 a. m.
tomorrow.

Friday, February 17:—March up the river, meeting the

Blockade Running ADT

enemy’s cavalry as soon as we get three miles from the village.
Drive them back till we get within two miles of Fort Anderson,
where we go into camp according to orders, and open signal
communications with General Schofield on his headquarters
steamship, and with the fleet under Admiral Porter. Advanced
ten miles today.

Saturday, February 18 :—Move at 7 o’clock, driving back the

_ enemy and establishing a line of investments on the south side

of the fort. Have a lively skirmishing fight. The enemy open
with artillery along their line, while our fleet opens heavily on
the fort. At 1 o’clock I withdraw Casement’s and Reilly’s bri-

gades (Colonel Sterl commanding the latter) and move them
to the left and rear around the head of Orton Pond. Reach
the head of the pond about 5.30 o’clock and find there a strong

party of the enemy’s cavalry, who oppose our passage. Moore’s
Creek, running into the pond, has wide, marshy banks, the

marsh being filled with thick tangled undergrowth, through
which it was almost impossible for skirmishers to make their

way. The road is a narrow causeway, only wide enough for
one wagon, and the enemy had rifle-pits commanding the exits
from the swamps, as well as a second line a little farther back.
We are delayed here about an hour. Succeed finally in driving
off the rebels with a loss to us of seven men wounded and one
killed. Just as we gained the opposite bank General Ames,
with his division of Terry’s men, came up and reported to me
under General Schofield’s orders, and we go into camp for the
night, the rebel cavalry retreating in the direction of Fort
Anderson.

Sunday, February 19:—The train of supplies which was to
have come up last night didn’t report till 10 o’clock this morn-
ing. We resumed our march up the west bank of Orton Pond
to turn the enemy’s position at Fort Anderson. March about
half-way, when we meet Captain Lord of General Schofield’s
staff, who informs us that the fort is evacuated, the enemy
having left it in the night, after hearing of our movement
around the pond. General Ames proceeds to the fort with his
division, whilst I go on up the river with my command, the two
brigades left in front of the fort joining me. I put Hender-
son in advance, and press the enemy rapidly to Old Town Creek,
where we find him in a strong line of works, the bridge being
destroyed and the creek being both unfordable and difficult of
approach by reason of the marshy banks so common in this

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