There were 2 attempts to capture Fort Fisher

Three weeks earlier during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher, the Confederacy had unsuccessfully attempted to gain control of the fort. The first attempt was made between 24 and 27 December 1864. After an initial failed attempt to detonate a ship filled with dynamite to destroy the fort's walls, The Union navy conducted a two-day bombardment to destroy the fortress and force its surrender.

Confederate troops began deployment on the second day to begin the siege in the hope that the explosion would destroy the Fort and allow their troops to storm the beach, Union forces at sea detonated a ship and bring it closer to shore. The Confederate Fort was not damaged because the ship caught fire early and exploded while it was still a mile from shore. The Union troops had to flee when their invasion attempt was unsuccessful. Butler was humiliated when, on January 8, 1865, he was stripped of command and succeeded by Major General Alfred H. Terry. Terry then oversaw another expedition that, a week later, succeeded in capturing the fort. The second attack, from January 13 to 15, 1865, was successful with better leadership and planning.