 John L. Davis the Federal gunboats USS "Wissahickon" and "Dawn" and a mortar schooner engaged the fort for several hours on November 19.The fort did not reply to the initial long-range bombardment and waited until the warships ascended the river to the guns' effective range.When the lead vessels reached 3,000 yards the garrison opened fire and immediately scored a hit, holing the "Wissahickon" below the waterline.