, 1864-12-26

NEW Yonk, Saturday, Dec. Midnight.
The World thinks Porter's attack on the
Wilmington defeDscs took place yesterday.
It gives the names Of the heavy vessels that
are to be outside and shell Fort Fisher. They
orc the Colorado, Powhatan, Wabash, Min
nesota, Susquehannah, and New 1ronsldcs, all
mounting POI guns Of large caltbre and long
range, and capable Of being fired very rapidly.
It IS thought that few hours Of bomharding
would reduce the forts sufficiently to allow
light draught vessels to enter. The nava1
fight is expected after the forts are passed.
The pirates Chickamauga and Tallahassee
are reported inside, and several blockade
runners have arrived. It is rumored that the
rebels have somc iron-clads on Cape Fear
River that will take part in the action. The
bank Of the river from the mouth to Whining
ton ia supposed to be partially fortified. The
rebel force is estimated at 15,0oo. 1t is ru-
mcred to hare been reinforced from Charleston
md Augusta. Many military and naval men
think the capture Of the forts and closing Of
the river, is the only object Of the expedition,
and DO not look for IN attack upon Whining
ton City.
men direct from Fort McAllister are confident
that the city Is already in our hands. Atheist
the garrison can hold out but few days.
Sherman's base is fully established. He is re-
ceiying everything he desires In the way Of
supplies and ammunition A large mail was
sent today BY the steamer Fulton, A prl-
yate letter Fl ON an officer In Sherman's army
says: "After the fall OF Savannah the army
will probably move to Anguish and capture
thst place to hold as q new base Of opera
tIons."
:, The Herald says cdtoraly: 'sFootc's re-
cent withdrawal from the rebel Senate and
accompanying speech indicates that the rebel
administration Is about to be oyerthrown,
and General Lee appointed dictator. It thinks
a dictatorship is short road to peace, md is
intended as such. The Confederate Govern
ment being committed never to make peace
i. brings into existence power that can and
will make It.
Sporting men say Joe Cobnrn is expecting
to make match with Mace as soon as the
latter arrives. The fight will probably take
place In Canada.
i gentleman who left Mobile on the 5th
SAYS two thirds Of the people are hoping for
the capture of the city. There are about
1000 troops at Mobile, al militia, except one
small brigade, and two iron-clads. both def
cient in propel!ing power.
The 1ri1une's Washington special says.
"The heavy ga1e experienced BY Porter's
expedition may cause delay, and possibly
compel return to Fort Monroe. Sickness
WIS very exhaustive to negro troops.
Vice Admiral Farragut. is expected In
Washington tomorrow, when his combina-
tion commission as Vice Admiral and the
Congressional resolutions Of thanks Inscribed
upon tho parchment will be presented to
Tie Worlds Washington special says :
"The President has received applications in
favor of fifty different gentlemen for Minister
to France.
The Nerul,rs special says the War and Navy
departments are engaged IN ferresing out the
ing operations against Wilmington, and arc
determined to punish them severely. It is
feared their disclosures may cause more loss
Of life than would otherwise have been neces-
sary. -
The Virginia Legislature last Tuesday
passed resolution declaring it the duty Of
the Confederate government to prosecute the
war till honorable peace can be obtained, and
pledging Virginia to make every sacrifice pos.
sible 10 such end that the power of making
peace is wisely entrusted in the hands OF
government, and that propositions Of the en-
emy to any State to treat for a seperate peace
are ins!dious and inadmissAble.
New YonK, Saturday, Dec. 24.-The Rich
mond 1Yhig Of the I'D contains proceedings
Of the North Carolina House Of Commons, BY
which it appears that the resolution declaring
that States in their sovereign capacity have
the right to decide the question Of peace or
war for themselves, were tabled by two ma-
jority.
The 1Vhig says that several days since a
rniding party came up from Pensacola, and
cut The Mobile and Great Northern Railroad
at Pollard's, scvcnty.two miles east Of No
bile, and thep retired from Gordonsville. It
unsupported yesterday that two divisions Of
the encmy's cava]Ey had crossed the Blue
Ridge Ct Chester Gap, arrived at Madison
Court House, and were moving On Gordons-
vile. We also learn that the telegraph
wires were cut on Tuesday night seven miles
from Gordonsville. 1t Is supposed by Yam
kee SPY. No apprehension is felt for the
safety Of Gortlonsville, crcn If the above re-
port is not greatly exaggerated, us there has
bern ample time to concentrate force to
meet the rnidcrs.
WASHINGTON, Dec 24.-The several Gov
,crnment departments will be closed Mon
dag, in order to enable employees to enjoy
Christmas holiday.
The main building Of the Kalamina small
pox hospital under Government control, WAS
this morning destroyed By fire, which osigi-
mated in the Chaplaln's room. The patients
were Ill safely removed.