The New York herald., 1864-11-29
General Butler and Staff and Aduiral
Porter on Board.
They are Rescued by the Tug
Pioneer.
THE ARMY MAILS ROT ON BOARD.
Int cresting Particulars Of tho
Catastrophe,
Es., &c. IL
Nr. James II. NvardelI's Despatch.

Mr. James II. vardelI,s Despatch.
FORTRESS MosRor, Va, Nov. AZ, 1854.
DESTRUCTION THE DESPATCH GREYHOUND.
Shortly after the government mail d ,ne Webster
LEFT City Point this morning. General Butber's ste,mer
Grey hound started trip to Fortress Monroe having
board General Butler portion Of his staff
Admiral Porter. The Admiral had been up 70 General
Buers quarters last evening to witness and direct
experiments with kind Of Creek fire, or some In
aanmaole materia. Although tho eyhound started
full half hour after the Webster overnauied the mall
| boat and signaled her to lay 10, which doue;
when about dozen passengers transferred from
| the Greyhound TO the Webster. Whom the nobio
steamer borc up TO the Webster, with flags floating Ia
the breeze, with all her appointments complete, u
no sight, and farhest from the minds Of any there
the thought that she moet with such
unexpected end After tho exchange OF gers and
mails Effected the Greyhound steamed away and efs
far behind, doubling but that she would mako
the fortress by three O'Clock.
cArAsrRoPHE.
ABOUT two O'Clock, when the Webster nearius
Hog Island In tho James river, discovered
of the island wrapped flames She made sut
to be the Grey that had recently passed In al
the pride and strength Of her superior qualities
DANIEL BsrEs rHs RESCUE.
thrill OF sympathy and anxiety pervadod tho minds
OF all board TO learn the fate Of tho distinguished
The highest rate OF steam was crowded upon
tho Webster the pumps and hose put in workng
order the boats lowered and every preparation made 70
render all the burning vessel that Mo
exgencies Of the required Upon usars The scsoes
the Pioneer, tug Columbia aud propeller Reso.
Lutte observed making all speed 10 reach she vessel
The excitement board tho Webster intense and
all eager to the boats save those board.
PIoNeER MAxEs
Just the Webster up the Pioneer made fAsA -
bows OF the ~s"so sns passeA-
gers who had been driven 70 that poAS 10 80
cape the scorching heat which had wrapped
middle and after part devourng element They
not q moment too soon, for then The whole
upper part had fallen in, and the upper machinery
! was left standing alone.
/ RESCUED
As tho last from -fated boat stopped aboard
the Pioneer and she showed or leaving tho burning
fate all who witnessed the act feh relieved Tho
Pioneer moved short distance from the wreck and
by bile tho tug Columbia alongside and took
tho General and staff Admiral Porter and part Of ~
The Webster sent boat to tho General TO
any assistance they might require, and request -
party board the Webster, TO be coDve
iort General Butler answered that he wor
the tug, and nothing further could be dor
various surmsss have been mlde
the nre: but there Is doubt Ar
its origin from the furnaces.
a lue gave awaya
beng op at The time, wnir
open the furnace doors
room After the doors
10 such volumes as tc
log iis progress, set
work near, which
ping tho boat in fl
!.
There
horses belongir
did the fan,
they could u
with the ele
Gaping VIII
When 4
mails irot
Webster,
TGperst
true
Tn
Aur
Gag
bee
a. a.