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80 loaded with troops, were already swung out on the davits ; and, within half an hour, a force of 1,000 men was landed about two miles below the fort and began its silent march over the sandy neck of the isthmus. As it approached the buildings at the southern extremity of the fort, the force was divided, one half proceeding along the beach on the ocean side, the other half advancing along the inner beach. At the time agreed upon, 1:30 A.M., the expedition closed in with a rush upon the garrison, which, consisting of only a few companies and barely awakened by the shots of the sentries, was quickly overpowered. Before 2 A.M. Fort Hancock was in the hands of the enemy.

At 11 P.M. on the night of March 31st, three large ships with lights out moved quietly into deep water anchorage between Far Rockaway inlet and the entrance to