The New York herald., 1865-02-27

tho two remaining divisions Of the rwenythIrd coaps
then a Smthville
But for the sound judgment Of General Coz we should
have lost the great advantage gained Just as General
Schohed was preparing to follow General Cox at noon
message arrived from General Terry saying that the
enemy was In very heavy force in his 'front.' and
that from information which he deemed Trustworthy
infocements had arrived from Charleston and that he
could not hold his line II attacked This information
sent 10 General Cox with orders the
mouth Of Town creek where boats would be In readiness
TO his command TO Terrys assistance Fortunately
the order did reach Gen Cox until dark and feeling
confident from his observation thar the information
upon which the order given false concluded TO
remain and report the fact and sent Moores brigade back
to report and begin the crossing still deemed advisa
bc General Schoaeld at approved his action, and
ordered him to remain.
The result proved the wisdom OF this conclusion. The
rebels began to withdraw at dark and at daylight tho
place was evacuated General Cox's skrmishers crossed
into the city at this hour and General Terrys forces
marched through the place al nine A. NJ and pressed
after the enemy The ferry boats being destroyed Gene
raj Cox could not cross his main force until noon
The feet arrived at the wharf about the middle Of the
afternoon and Immediately fired salute, important
matter which the land forces had fosgotten-
moved their public stores from the city, s they fully
expected TO hold forces In check for several wee
relying for this upon great strength or their works and
upon expected rcinocement The prompt and unlocked
for occupation Of Eagle Island alone compelled them to
rctre. II not until this In possossion Of
forces that the removal Of the Union prisoners In the
city began There between four and five thousand
Of these, the majority having just been brought from
Florence s. c. to prevent their falling into Shermans
hands
In the opinion OF eminent engineers, the Cape Fear
river from Wilmington TO the ocean, is strongly
fortified than any Of Northern harbors or any
other river in the world Nineteen forts batteries
line its approaches within the short distance named all
Of the heaviest character most scientifically construct
cd, and thoroughly armed Besides these the rebels
had placed in the stream three lines Of formida-
BILE obstructions, consisting of piles, torpcdoes,
sunken ships and cribs. chain cables and rafts
of heavy timber fastened together The city itself stands
upon terrace rising some thirty feet above the river
and the low land to tho South Federal Point Along
this crest, about two miles from the city, the
Southern defcnces and both from position and
tion, they most formidable The entire front of
this line covered by succession Of lakes and deep
swamps stretching from the river to the ocean, and only
crossed by causeways. Then three miles
side Of their works second very strong line The
city capable Of stronger defence than any other
have taken during the war. Its only lack in men.
General Schofeld most heartily congratulated
all sides for this most latering result of his combna
tions. 1t must be remembered in this connection that
only dvision-the Thrd-and one ebrigadc-Moore's-
Of the Second Of the Army Of the Ohio engaged,
the remainder OF the Twenty third corps not having
arrived
The total loss both sides Of the river, after General
schoheld took command, will fall trine below two hun
dred his yinQt tha fact nj no pusto wnQ
assaulted which could be turned
But citizens left the city except such the enemy
forced to enter the ranks and follow. All able bodied
hid themselves and throngcd the streets
forces entered The ladies' also out in force
and the negroes crowded all the Not synp-
tom Of anmosity displayed by man. woman child
throughout the day.
Early in the morning large class Of citizens began
help themselves to the goods in the stores but provost
guard stopped this traffic. peculiar TO rebel towns
The city contains number Of very fine church cd fees
and public buildings and many beautiful private resi-
dences; these make the general shabbincss
Of the rest conspicuout.
The Union prisoners had been confined at camp Lamb,
about mile from the city Their treatment worthy
Of what might be inflicted by Gends from He'll
Though the arrangements for general exchange
have been completed at Richmond the
wing process goes For three days before
tho evacuation those prisoners had received mouth
full to To the credit OF the citizens many attempts
made to relieve them but the food in all
taken from them by order ofthe ocer in command and
rodden the ground before the eyes Of tho prisoners
and the citizens 1t thought that four hundred
recovered but many in a dying
dition. All that has appeared in the public
prints in regard to this matter utterly fails
prepare for tho awful reality Aftor nering my
self for tho VISIT and trying TO picture all tho horrors
while riding slowly tho half mile the house whore
they had been collected my brain eeed for the moment
the sickcning reality burst upon Officers In
and those who had quacd the field OF death,
whose cheeks had never blanched, there stood
aghast, with tears in their eyes grinding their
teeth, ccnching their hands. and thanking God that
there was a He'll. Pale haggard and emacialed
skeletons gared from CLASSY eyes where the light
just expiring With matted hair and skin
blackcned with pine smoke scarcely covered with tho
6lth!es shrcds rebel clothing without blankets
and most OF them without coats and Shoes
half gazed at with almost idotic stare,
while the majority could with difficulty be reused from
their stessness. Many had forgotten their names;
could be- reused and their memories quickcned by
asking them Of their homes their wives and ch dren,
these magic words bringing them back FROM the grave
into which they sinking fast. Many dying
starvation with their hands cuichiny our
soldiers had brought them and they lay there dying
old negro passed from to another tender.
ly smoothing their awful passage to the grave Knowing
that the authors OF oil this misery had escaped 1t
consolng to repeat " Vengeance mino; will repay
saith the Lord
MIR. Thomas M. Cooks Despatch.
UNrrRD STATES FLAGSHIP MALVERN,
CAPg FEAR RIvE, Feb. 10, 1885, I
ASCENT oy PoRrERs rIEsr.
My communications to you OF this mornings date left