Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-07-21

could the looked for light at Fort Fisher be
dscerned' Then, as the morning dawned,
we prepared to lay to for the day, between
the outer and iner Gordon of the block
aders. It was hardly to be expected that
we should escape for sixteen hours unob-
served, but it was a signal instances OF good
luck that from 4 in the morning till half
past D. m. we were unmolested. Then
the tall mRsts of large Federal cruiser,
her immense paddle wheels and lofty black
hull, were visible, and for the first time,
as our antagonist approached US from the
direction of Wilmington, the "airy, fairy
Lillian" prepared to give US assurance of
that speed which we all felt she possessed.
Some slight delay there was before steam
could be got up, and tor some 20 minutes
our pursuer seemed to gain upon US. But
as the pressure of steam assembled from 10
pounds to 20, from 20 to %, from % to &c,
and as the revolutions of the paddle
mounted from 26 to 20, from % to 33 per
minute the Lillian flew out to sea swift as
arrow from bow. In little more than two
hours the hull of our pursuer was invisi-
BILE, and her topgallant sails speck upon
the distant horizon. But as she still lay
between US and Wilmington, it became
necessary to run round her. This also the
light heeled Lillian had little difficulty in
accomplishing; but IS the sun dropped in
to the sea, and our pursuer, although dis
tant, still hung upon our rear, we found
that, reckoning little the speed of our ad
vance, had sighted the inside blockade
squadron before the close of day
There was nothing for it but to persevere,
and fortunately before we approached close
to land, darkness had completely set in
Silently and with bated breath we passed
Vie Ia IN,
every eve, and suggesting the flashing out
of a blue or Drummoud light and the rush
of prapeshot and shrapnel through our
rigging and buIwarks. But it was not des-
tined that upon this occasion the Lillian
should receive her baptism of fire. Just
as we approached Fort Fisher dark spot
is seen on the bar. 1t is Federal launch,
seen by us too late for Captain Mafit to in
dulge the anxious wish OF his heart and
run her down. We passed her within 20
yards, and again the expected volley of
musketry is wanting. Another moment and
we are under the mound upon which
stands the fort, and eagerly questioned
for news. 1.-THE news is good all round"
"Tbree times three for Gen. Johnston !"
Tsix times six for Gen. Lee !" and in mirth
and laughter and song the night wears
away, Three hours after us comes the
FZoTie, and is heavily fred at as she wears
inward. But morning finds both vessels
and their cargoes safe at their wharf in
Wilmington nor is it rash to predict for
them both the probability of many returns.
At least, it may safely be augured that 1t
will take no ordinary amount of speed and
courage to circumvent so fearless and ex-
perienced sailor as Capt. Maffit, and that
in Lis new career his skill and success will
10 80 ~ forior m thnaa which ha aXhibited
in his old.
cannot leave the subject of the block
ade without pointing the moral which is
being taught by it, and which it is incon-
ceivable why England does not take more
pains to understand There is no nation
upon the earth which has a tenth of the
interest which England has in closely
observing the working of the only block
ade on large and imperial scale which
has been established since the introduc-
tion of steam navigation. 1t can scarce~
lv be pretended that information in re-
gard to the system of showing lights to
guide incoming vessels, concerning the
infinite intricacies of detail which expe-
rience has taught to blockade runners of
Wilmington, Charleston and Mobile, con-
cerning the most favorable conditions of
sea, sky and tide for running out or COM
ing in, can be obtained otherwise than
upon Southern soil. Yet, it is not deem
ed bv the British Admiralty to be mat
ter of importance that they should be
represented at Wilmington and elsewhere
by one of our most accomplished naval
officers. 1t is humiliating to be told, as
/ have been again and again, that no
such emissary will be sent without the
consent of Mr.. Adams, and that this con-
sent he will never give. But great as is
the concurrence of opinion among Eng
lishmen in America upon the Importance
of this subject, there is but too much
reason to fear that this blockade will be
UNDECIDED and its lessons unlearnt by
competent English officials. 1t is idle
for me to point out that, not only is there
opportunity for a naval officer to gain in
valuable information, but that, IN spite
of the answer given three months ago by
Lord de Grey, to the effect that it was
not important to send military officers t
the South by reason of the inferiOrity ot
its resources, it is the opinion of every
English officer who has been to the
Southern States that there is infinitely
more to be learnt here during a month
than in the North during u year. 1t is
think, pretty well admitted by thii
time, that as regards construction of gum
or the architecture of firon-clad Monitors
England has nothing to learn of thu
North. But in every other department
of the vast science of war there is mOrt
to be gained as regards the presentstrug
gle by studying it from Southern thar
| from Northern point of view. As ar
instance, it may be asked whether ther'
is upon this continent anything to bC
compared in interest with an inside
view of Charleston and Fort Sumter
1t is the opinion of experienced judgel
that the earthworks around Richmond
are the most formidable that modern ex
perience has known. The novel system
of defensive works around Mobile is de
scribed to me upon excellent testimony
/ as the most instructive of studies for