, 1864-12-02
TIE DESTRUCTION OF T19E
ST1IA11Efk GKEKE1e5 cjfE1,
Gen. fSntIer and Admiral Porter OH
HsoMrtl.

Correspondence Of the N. r. He.a1d],
Fon1nEss MONROE, Nov. At, 1851 =
Shortly after the Government mail boa
Daniel Webster left City Point this morning,
Ge7- Buffers steamer Greyhound Started on
4 tlip tC Fortress Atuu7cc, hnTiug on board
Gen. Dut1er and'a portion Of bis staff as also
Admiral Porter. The Admiral had been up
to Gen. Buffers quarters last evening to wit
ness and dirvct snme experiments with new
kind Ct Greek fire, OF, some inhaMtnuble ,n.A-
terial. Although The Greyhound started Q
full half hour after the Webster, she oyer
Enuled the mailboat, mud signalled her to lay
TO-: which was done, when about Il dozen pas
sengers were transferred from the Greyhound
to the Webster. When, t1le noble steamer
the hreczc, With I'LL her appointments com
pletc, it was fine sight, and tarthest from
the minds Of eny there was the thought that
she was go soon to meet with such IN unex-
pcctca end. After the exchange Of passen-
gers and mails WAS effected, tho Greyhound
steamed away and left us far behind, no one
doubling hut that shr would make The For
t1ess By 3 o'clock. '.''
About two O'Clock. when the Webster was
meaning Hog Island, in the James river, yes-
sci was discovered of the island wrapped in
flames. She. Was BOOB made out to be the
Greyhound that had 90 recently passed us in
al the pride and strength Of her superior
qualities.
4 thrill Of sympathy and anxiety pervaded
the minds Of all on board to learn the fatc of
the distinguished passengers. The highest
rate of stenm was crowded upon the Webster,
the pumps and hose were put in working or
der, the boats lowered and every preparation
made to render I'LL the assistance to the hurn-
ing vessel TINT the eMgencies Of the case re-
CURED. Upon nearing the scene, the steamer
Pioneer, ing Columbia and propeller Re5o-
1s.,c. were observed making oil speed to
reach the vessel. The excitement on board
the Webster was intense, and all Wern eager
to man the boats to save those on board.
Various surmi6es hare been made rs to the
origin Of the fire but there Is no doubt about
the fact that It Lad It's origin from the fur
naccs. Either lie top Of the furnaces or u
being on at the time, which created back
draft, forcing open the furnace doors and driv-
ing the fire into the room. After the doors
we're open the fire rushed forth in such vol
rmcs as to preclude the possibility Of arrest
ing its progress, setting tire instantly to oil
deck above, Wrapping the boat III flames in
ycry short time.
There was on board at tie time seren or
etgh fine horses belonging to the General and
stafbut 30 rapidly did the flames spread nca7
where they were tied that they could not be
effects on board, the passengers and crew cs-
Gaping with only what they hal about their
persons.
THE MAILS NOT ON THE GREYHOUND.
When the Greyhound came up to the Web
stcr tn the morning and put aboard Of her
some passengers, the mails from on board the
Greyhound were also put on the Webster, so
that the report published in the evening pa-
pers to the effect that the mails were de-
stroycl is untrue.
just us the Webster came up the Pioneer
made fast to the bows Of the Greyhound and
took Oil board tho passengers aud crew, who
had been driven to that point to escape the
scorching heat Of the fame which had wrap
ped the middle and after part in its deyouri1s
element. They were not a moment too soon,
for even then the whole upper part aft hal
1allen In, and the upper machinery was left
standing alone.
As the last man fran tho Inflated boat
stepped aboard the Pioneer, and she showed
otf, leaving the burning vessel to its fate, ail
who witnessed the act felt relieved. The Pi-
onecr moved short distance away from the
wreck, and laid by, while the tug Columbia
canlc alongside and took off the General and
stat, Admiral Porter and part of the crew.
The Webster sent 4 boat to the General to
offer any assistance they might require, and
request that the party come on board the
Webster, to he conveyed to the fort. Gen.
Butler answered that he would proceed On
thu tug, and nothing further could bc done.