The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-21 00:00:00

SUPPLY- COAST DEFENCES.

On the motion that the house go into committee of
supply,
Mr. BERKELEY rose to call attention to the possibility
of a war with America, and to the absence of guns capable
of protecting our coasts from the aggression of a naval power.
Ho said we had alienated both parties in America, and it
would be no matter of surprise to him eventually to
see them both unite in hostilities against us. The hon.
gentleman then proceeded to argue that this country
did not possess means sufficient to repel such a
state of affairs should it unfortunately arise. He
said that the miserable bickerings between gun inventors
had been allowed to consume too much valuable time, and
the result was the country was left without the possession
of a gun worth the name of a serviceable and effective
weapon of warfare.

Mr. PEACOCK controverted the statement which had
been made that Canada would not be defended, which he
urged was not the best way to disincline the Americans
from aggression. He mentioned instances which had already
occurred in which the conduct of subordinate and high
officials of the Western States might have involved this
country in an American war.
Sir H. WILLOUGHBY deprecated the policy of discuss-
ing such a question at the present moment.
Mr. H. BAILLIE said the great want of the service was
a gun capable of firing a steel projectile ; but great as the
country was in other matters, it was still behind other
countries in this. Even the Danes had guns for firing steel
projectiles, and as it took a considerable time to perfect one
of these much-vaunted weapons, he supposed that if the
country was unfortunately to be involved in_war, it would
take twelve months before we could have a supply of effi-
cient guns for the army.
Mr. MONSELL thought it highly necessary that the
experiments at Shoeburyness should be pressed forward
with greater activity, because it was of the highest im-
portance that the superiority of one gun or the other
should be known as soon as possible.
The Marquis of HARTINGT ON said he did not think
there was any possibility of this country being involved in
a war with America. (Hear, hear.) It had been said that
the coast defences of the country were not sufficient
to meet the attack of a hostile enemy ; but he did not
agree with that assertion. (Hear, hear.) True,
it was that the new fortifications were not fully armed yet
as far as they were completed. They were armed with the
utmost despatch ; but he contended that the old batteries,
with their usual armaments, were quite sufficient to
cope with wooden ships. With respect to the inquiry
whether we had yet got a good gun with a steel barrel,
he might say for our land defences we had, but it had
been thought necessary to pause before a great supply
of the guns were made for the navy. With respect to
delay in the experiments, he must admit that there had
been very great delay between Sir William Armstrong and
Mr. Whitworth, but he believed he was correct
in saying that the delay was occasioned by
Mr. Whitworth, who had not produced his gun at
the specified time. Ho hoped in a short time that
the report of the commission would be received,
and then the most active steps would be taken
to put its recommendations into effect. With respect
to the assertion that it would take 12 months to make a
600-pounder gun, he doubted whether such was
exactly the fact. As far as Captain Palliser's
gun had yet been tried, he might say at once it had given
the greatest satisfaction, as it had stood some very severe
trials with perfect success.
Mr. W. E. FORSTER regarded it as contrary to the
dignity of the house to invite them to throw themselves
into a war with a great and friendly country simply because
of the language used by one or two Ministers. If England
were to go to war every time that her Ministers had used
irritating language towards foreign nations, by this time
she would be at war with the whole human race.
Sir F. SMITH believed that we should have no war with
America ; but that was no reason why we should not put
our colonies into a state of defence. The command of Lake
Ontario was a part of the projected scheme for the defence
of Canada, but he understood that up to this moment not a
single gunboat had been prepared for that purpose.
Mr. G. P. BENTINCK was of opinion that it would be
a work of time and money to attempt to defend Canada by
land. As to the feeling that prevailed in the United States,
there could be no doubt that it was one of decided hostility
towards this country.
Captain JERVIS characterised the debate as the revival
of the Old Bogie cry which used to bo periodically heard
when certain parties found it to be for their interest to affect
an apprehension of a French invasion.
The subject then dropped.

Colonel SYKES directed attention to the alleged inabi-
lity of the British Government to enforce orders in Council
and ordinances by superintendents of trade relating to Bri •
tish subjects in China.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL replied that there might
be cases in which Englishmen still remained in the service
of the local mandarins contrary to the orders in Council ;
but the consular courts could not issue a roving commission
to search out such instances in the vast empire of China,
and could only deal with them when they came within the
consular jurisdiction.

A question put by Mr. H. SEYMOUR elicited an explana-
tion from Sir C. WOOD relating to tho proceedings of the
Indian authorities with regard to the Back Bay shares at
Bombay, and the house went into committee of supply on
the army estimates.
The consideration of the items included in the.vote of
£5,434,567 for staff and regimental pay and allowances was
resumed, and a suggestion offered by Colonel North that
the present allowance of ls. a day increase of pay to lieu-
tenants of seven years' standing should be extended to all
subalterns of seven years' service, and by Mr. Percy Wynd-
ham for giving small civil service appointments to soldiers
of 18 years' standing and good character who might qualify
for the same.

The vote was ultimately agreed to, as were also the votes
of £1,205,800 for the commissariat, £574,236 for clothing,
£609,900 for barracks, £44,335 for Divine service, £26,300
for martial law, £246,544 for the medical establishment,
£786,400 for disembodied militia, £91,000 for yeomanry,
£334,900 for the volunteers, and £46,000 for enrolled pen-
sioners and army reserve.

On the vote of £972,900 for manufacturing departments,
Sir M. PETO called attention to the statement made by
the Under Secretary for War on a former evening, that the
cost of armament of the new forts would not exceed
£3,000,000, and inquired upon what calculation that state-
ment was made.

The Marquis ej HARTINGTON explained that, al-
though the total number of guns required to arm the coast
fortifications was 1,944, still only 1,200 of the new and
more expensive description would be used. The remainder,
being for land defences, could bo taken from the stock in
hand. Under these circumstances the whole cost of the
guns, including 200 rounds of steel shot, ammunition, car-
riages, and platforms, would not exceed about £2,750,000.

Sir 31. PETO observed that when he estimated the cost
of the new guns, ammunition, &c., at £17,000,000 sterling,
he did so upon calculations supplied him by the most emi-
nent manufacturers, who were making guns of smaller
calibre for the Russians.

Mr. WATLIN contended that all inquiry and the dictates
of common sense went to show that the expense could not
be less than £14,000,000.
The question of small arms also underwent discussion,
and the vote was agreed to, as was also £485,000 for stores.
The Consolidated Fund (£175,650) Bill was read a third
time and passed.
The Marine Mutiny Bill and the Mutiny Bill was read a
second time.
Other bills were forwarded a stage, and the house ad-
journed at 10 minutes past 12 o'clock.

" And then he drew a dial frem his poke,
And looking on it with lack lustre eye,
Says very wisely, 'lt is ton o'clock,
Thus wo may see,' quoth he, how the world wags.' "
SIIABSPEARE.
Benson's Pocket Dials are artistic, accurate time
markers, made in every size, suitable for everybody, and
are sent to every part of the kingdom, safe by post, at 5,6,
7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,.21, 22, 23,
24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 guineas in
gold cases; and at 2,3, 4,5, 6,7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 guineas in silver
cases. A descriptive pamphlet post free for two stamps.
-J. W. Benson, Ludgate-hill, watch and clock maker to
H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.

BREAKFAST BEVERAGE.—ilowelpa'hio practitioners,
Ind tha medical profession generally, recommend cocoa
as being the most healthful of all beverages. When the doc-
trine of homoeopathy was first introduced into this country
there were to be obt ,fined no preparations of cocoa either at,
tractive to the taste or acceptable to the stomach ; the nut
was either supplied fa the crude state, or so unskilfully
manufactured as to obtain little notice. J. Epps, of London,
homoeopathic Chemist, was induced in the year 1839 to turn
his attention to this subject, and at length succeeded, with
the assistance of elaborate machinery, in being the first
to produce an article pure in its composition, and so refined
by the perfect trituration it receives in the process it passes
through, as to be most acceptable to the delicate stomach.
For general use Epps's Cocoa is distinguished as an invigo-
rating, grateful breakfast beverage, possessing a most deli-
doll aroma. Dr. ilassall, in his work, "Food and its
Ad terations," says —"Cocoa contains a great variety of im-
Portant nutritive principles—every ingredient necessary to
the growth and sustenance of the body." Again ; "As a
nutritive, coccHa stands very much higher than either coffee
or tea." Directions—Two teaspoonfuls of the powder in a
breakfast cup, filled up with boiling water or milk. Secured
in tin-lined Vb., ilb., and 11b. labelled packets, and sold by
all grocers, confectioners, and chemists.— [Ap w
]

THE CONFEDERATE S rATES.

(From the Times' Special Correspondent.)

WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA, Jan. 31.
I desire to revert to the recent capture by the
Federals of Fort Fisher—an event which possesses
surpassing interest for England, and in regard to
which the minutest details seems not undesirable.
Pausing for a day at Wilmington on my road back
to Richmond, with a view to gaining information, I
have had the good fortune to fall in with one of
Gen. Whiting's staff, who accompanied the General
on the 13th, 14th, and 15th inst., and did not leave
the fort until late in the afternoon of the last named
day, when Gen. Whiting, after receiving a wound,
sent him away upon an errand which, though fruit-
less in itself, was the occasion of my informant's
escaping imprisonment. The narrative of those three
eventful days, which I attempted in my letter from
Charleston of the 23d inst., and which was derived
chiefly from naval officers, needs enlargement and
correction in many particulars. These lam now in
a position to supply, and at the same time it is my
desire to do justice to the great ability displayed by
Admiral Porter and Gen. Terry in their guidance
of an attack conducted by land and sea forces simul-
taneously, which demanded intelligent concert be-
tween both arms, in which the land forces of the
assailant took part without field artillery, and with
nothing but muskets in their hands, and which was
resisted by an aggregate of Confederates inside and
outside of the fort scarcely inferior to the attacking
columns of the Federals.

In my previous letter I stated that late upon the
evening of the 12th tidings reached Gen. Whiting
that a large flotilla of Federal ships was drawing
near to Fort Fisher, and that a second bombard-
ment was imminent. About 8 o'clock on the morn-
ing of the 13th the fire opened. Five ironclad
ships, consisting of the Ironsides, one double tur-
reted, and three single turreted Monitors, ap-
proached within 800 yards of the land face of the
fort, and opened fire, which was steadily sustained
until 5 p.m., at which hour three frigates, supposed
to be the Minnesota, Colorado, and Wabash, joined
in the action, pouring in, together with the Moni-
tors, a terrific storm of fire until 6 p.m. Col. Lamb,
commandant of the fort, anticipating an attempt to
carry the fort by storm after dark, made repeated
applications to Gen. Whiting for reinforcements.
The sailors, 60 in number, attached to Battery
Buchanan, repaired, in compliance with General
Whiting's summons, promptly to Fort Fisher, and
six companies were brought across the Cape Fear
River from Forts Caswell and Campbell to Fort
Fisher, at 8 p.m. In addition 150 men, under
Major Reilly, arrived at 3 in the morning of the
14th. A restless and fatiguing night was passed by
the garrison, as they manned the palisades and
peered anxiously into the night, in momentary ex-
pectation of a general attack. At intervals the
Confederate guns upon both faces poured grape and
shrapnel along the beach leading up to the Fort,
and covered its land approaches, while General
Whiting and some of his staff passed most of the
night on the works and beach, keeping such watch
as they could upon the enemy's movements.
On the morning of the 14th the ironclads again
opened upon the land face, which mounted 16 guns,
of which five had been dismounted by the first day's
fire. It may be remarked that during the 13th the
Monitors, lying at 800 yards' distance, did far more
injury than they and many of their wooden sisters
effected at double that distance, in two days during
the Christmas-day bombardment. The five Monitors
were shortly joined by 15 wooden vessels, which
moved into position behind the Monitors, and,
lying much further off, kept up a terrible fire during
the whole day upon the land face, dismounting
every gun upon it, with the exception of one 8-inch
Columbiad, ploughing great furrows in the traverses,
tearing the palisades into shreds, and filling the
ditch with sand, which slid down from the scarp
and glacis. 'The Confederate guns replied with
great accuracy, but apparently with little damage
to the Monitors, while the wooden vessels kept out
of range ; but it is generally conceded that the gun-
ners displayed unflinching gallantry during the
whole of this trying day, although exposed to the
most tremendous fire that ever fell into a fort. It
must be understood that all day long upon the 13th,
and also upon the 14th, while the Federal monitors
maintained an unintermitted fire, Federal transports
were engaged in landing troops upon the beach three
or four miles to the north of Fort Fisher. Much and
angry comment has been audible on the inaction of
Gen. Hake's 6,000 Confederates while the Federal
forces under Gen. Terry were being thrown upon
the beach. Upon the afternoon of the 14th a line
of Federal sharpshooters approached Fort Fisher,
sunk riflepits in the sandy beach, and greatly an-
noyed the Confederate gunners by picking them off
as they served their guns. The dismounted guns
could not be remounted, nor could the work be re-
paired during the night by reason of the incessant
fire kept up by the fleet. But fiery as was the ordeal
through which Gen. Whiting and his garrison were
passing, the sun upon the evening of the 14th went
down upon confident hearts among the defenders of
Fort Fisher, for a telegram had previously been re-
ceived from Gen. Bragg promising to throw Gen.
Hagood's brigade into the fort as reinforcements.
It seemed not improbable that, in spite of the dis-
mounted guns, the garrison of Fort Fisher, reinforced
by 1,000 or 1,200 veterans, would be strong enough
to repel a land attack, especially as co-operation and
assistance from without, through the agency of Gen.
Hake's division, was confidently relied on.
About 4.30 on the morning of Sunday, the 15th,
the first of General Hagood's regiments, the 21st,
was landed at Battery Buchanan, and was imme-
diately marched up to Fort Fisher. Shortly after-
wards it was followed by the 25th Regiment,
which was moved up behind Lamb's Mound, where
it found temporary shelter from the appalling
fire of the enemy, and did not advance to Fort
Fisher until later in the day. These two regi-
ments, amounting together to rather more than
400 men, were all the reinforcements from Hake's
division that ever reached Gen. Whiting. The vessel
which conveyed the other regiments of Hagood's
brigade down the Cape Fear River unfortunately
got aground, and I believe ended by landing its liv-
ing cargo at Fort Caswell instead of Fort Fisher.
The garrison of Fort Fisher, including Hagood's two
regiments, numbered on the morning of the 15th
about 2,200 men, all told. About 8 o'clock in the
morning of the 15th there was rained upon the de-
voted fort undoubtedly the severest fire which fort
or earthwork ever sustained. In combination with the
five ironclads more than 50 wooden vessels joined
in the attack, and it is believed that more than 700
guns played simultaneously upon both faces of the
fort. At intervals some 30 or 40 guns concentrated
their fire upon the same spot, and never desisted
until they had converted the traverse or the glacis
at which they aimed into a shapeless heap of ruins.
During the entire morning the iron tempest knew
neither pause nor abatement. Simultaneously the
attacking columns of the Federals stretched about
noon right across the tongue of land upon which
Fort Fisher stands, having their rear protected from
Gen. Hake by a force of Federals hastily intrenched
within works, for the rapid formation of which the
abounding sand furnished admirable facilities. As
the attacking column drew near to the fort a por-
tionrngh the line,
of the fleet moved in single file ahead of the
ski
entirean d poured
aiene
aanhdeaevyevefirrine,gththues
ad-
vance -
vance of the skirmishers. The remainder of the fleet
occupying its original position, never ceased to
throw its murderous missiles
the work, until most of the garrison, worn down by
sleeplessness, hunger, and the strain of a bombard-
ment ceaselessly sustained for more than 60 hours,
shrunk within the bombproofs, mastered by a fire
which filled the whole sky with projectiles, and rent
the air with one loud unintermitted roar, in compa-
rison with which the thunder of the field artillery
of Borodino or Leipsic must have sounded faint and
insignificant indeed.
Suddenly a shrill steam whistle is heard, and in
an instant every gun is hushed. Upon the left of
the Federal lines a large body of marines dashes
swiftly out of the smoke, and advancing along the
beach close down to the sea strikes boldly at the
sea face of the fort, and gains its outer palisades.
Quickly drawing his men out of the bombproofs,
Gen. Whiting throws himself upon the assailants,