Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-01-06

barque Mary 4. Libby which vessel ptomlsed
to stay and receive everybody aboard ifheces-
sary. At 2.30 p. IN. the water put the hres
out. The boats got ready at $50 and started,
the first boat with the chief engineer and all
the lady passengers Six boats loaded we're
got aboa,d the barque. The seventh boat at
dark with the purser, Petil, and eight men
are supposed to have been lost as they never
reached the barque.
The eighth and last boat, with the Captain
first and second officers left the steamer at 4.
80 p. m. The boata we're hoisted aboard the
barque at 8 p. m. it being impossible to re-
turn to the steamer that night The barque
then made sail and proceeded towards the
steamer. her lights all in sight, distance about
six miles,
About a. m. the lights suddenly dsap-
peared and the steamer is supposed to have
sunk. AT daylight nothing was in sight ex-
cept water cask. The barque made a sail
and cruised all around till noon when the
barque proceeded on her craise. Six-two
persons were saved 1877 lost, Among the lost
were Col Saunders and Lieut. Col. Horn.
Headguarters Department of Virginia and
South Odrohinia, Dec. 25.
ADMIRAL - Upon landing the troops and
making thorough reconnaissance of Fort
Fisher, both Gen. Weitzel aud myself are
fully Of the opinion that the place could not
be carried oy assault, as it was left substsn-
TALLY uninjured as defensive work by the
navy FIRE. We found II guns protected by
trsverses--2 only which we're dismounled-
bearing up the beach aud covering strip of
land, the only practicable route, not wide
enough !or thousand men in line Of battle.
Dnn.l fha
garrison Of which, 65 men and two commits
stoned officers, were taken off by the navy I;
we also captured Half Noon battery and
officers and 20s men of the Sd North Caro-
lima Junior Reserves. including its command
er, from whom / learned that a portion Of
Hoke's division, consisting Of Kirkland's and
hapgoop's brigades, had been sent from the
lines before Richmond on Tuesday last, ar
living at Wilmington on Friday night.
Gen. Weitzel advanced his skirmish line
within fifty yards of the fort, while the gar
rison was kept in their bomb-proofs by the
Are Of the navy, and so closely that three or
four men Of the picket line ventured upon
the parspet and through the sally port of the
rks, capturing horse, which they brouget
off, killing the orderly, who was the bearer
Of dispatch from the Chef of Artillery OF
Gen. hitting to bring light battery within
the fort, and also brought away from the par
Apet the flag OF the fort. This was done
while the shells of the navy we're falling a
bout the heads of the daring men who enter
ed the works, and it was evident soon as
the fire of the navy ceased, because of the
darkness, that the fort was fully manned
again. and opened with grape and canister
upon our picket line.
Finding that nothing but the operations of
regular siege. which did not come within
my instructions, would reduce the f-rt, aud
in view Of the threatening aspect of the
weather. the wind rising from the southwest
rendering it impossible to make further land
ing through the surf, caused the troops
with their prisoners to ark, and see
nothing further that can be done by the land
forces. / shall therefore sail for Hampton
Roads as soon as the transport fleet eau be
got in order.
Ny engineers and officers report Fort Fish
er to me as substantially uninjured.
Very respectfully,
Your obedent serv't,
BENZ. F. BUTLER, Maj. Gen. Com.
To Rear Admiral Porter.
ATLAsrIo sauADRos, u S. FLAG sRIP aALvERs,
off Nav JUL,T, N. G., Dec &c !
General-1 beg leave to acknowle the re-
ceipt OF your letter of this date. The sub
stance OF which was communicated to me by
Gen. Weitzel last night. have ordered the
largest vessels to proceed off Beaufort, to fill
up with ammunition to be ready for another
attack in case it is decided to proceed with
this matter, by making other arrangements.
We have not commenced firing rapidly yet,
and could keep any rebels inside from show
ing their heads till an assaulting column was
within twenty ysrLs of the works. | wish
some more of your gallant fellows had fol-
lowed the officer who took the flag from the
parapet and the brave fellow who brought the
horse out OF the fort. | think they would
have found it an easier conquest than they
supposed. do not however pretend to place
my opinion in opposition to Gen. Weitzel who
know to be an accomplished soldier and en-
gineer and whose opinion has great weight
with me. will look out that the troops are
off in safety. We will have west wind
presently and smooth beach about o'clock,
when sufficient boats will be sent for hem
The prisoners now on board the Santiago de
Cuba will be delivered to the Provost Marshal
at Fortress Monroe unless you wish to take
them on board of the transports, which will
be inconvenient now.
remain General,
respectfully your ob'dt serv't.
(Signed) DANIEL ID. PORTER,
TO Maj. Gen. Butier.
WAsHINGToN, Dec. 80
There is much discussion here as to the at
tack on Fort Fisher. Gen. Butler doubtless
relied with too much confidence on the effects
of the explosion of the powder ship. which
did not amount to anything Gen. Weitzel
had the charge OF the party which landed,
and the withdrawal was made upon his de-
csion that the fort could not be carried by
assault.
There is no probability that the navy forces
under Admiral Porter are disseminating the
bombardment of the defences of Wilmington
unless SO directed by the Government.
Recent movements in the rebel lines indi-
cate unusual commotion. out nothing is known
respecting it's cause. ltis thought that Lee
has been sending reiniolcements south to-
wards Lvnchburg, TO oppose Gen. sherdan's
adyance, and to Huntington to prevent the
landing Of the expedition to that city.
Deserters who came in few days ago de-
clare that the state OF affairs indicates early
offensive Operations by the rebel army in