The New York herald., 1865-02-18
Exploits Of the Gallant Com
mander Gushing.
The Town Of Shallotts Captured and nuch:
Property Destroyed.
Reconnaissance Of the Vuhayves Of
Wilmington.
FORT ANDERSON LOOKED INTO,
&c., &e., &ss
Mr.. Thomas M. Cooks Despatch.

Mr, Thomas m. Cooks Despatch.
FoRr FISHER Feb Ia, 1865.
cold wind blowing strong from the north and caus
ing fresh water 70 conea wherever was exposed has
compelled suietnsss up this hour How long this state
Of quietuds will last am unable to state, but may
guess not long shall not be surprised my next dcs
patch Is dated from Wim
Lieutenant Commander Gushing, Of the navy, s tho
hero Of daring and gallant exploits Of recent date
equal character to the destruction Of tho
Albemare On the sth inst, acting under instruc-
tions from Admiral Porter he entered Folly Inlet
few miles southwark Of the western bar and ascending
q small stream that enters tho At that point
he proceeded II launches about ten miles into the in
terror the town Of Shaloe Al this place he landed
with less than Of men, surprised and put 70 flight
the garrison OF the town. numbering hundred mem
captured fifteen OF them then called together the Mayor
and Town Counc told them that he he'd large force in
the immediate vicinity who would enter tho place in
the morning. demanded unconditional surrender
The town authorities agreed surrender, but asked
time until morning TO draw up the papers Lieut. Cash
rag granted the time but said TO the Mayor
that he should require . breakfast for himself
and stan the following day, which was promised Cush-
ing them with his small force Of tas proceeded to ex
piore the town They found in their perambuiaons
large warehouse nlled with commssary stores for tho
garrison and Fort Anderson. This warehouse, acciden
tally otherwise, took IRE during the federal 0ccupa
ton OF the town, and entirely consumed, with its
contents The people complained bitterly Of the arbitrary
and oppressive nature Of the rebel conscrpton and
mpressment laws Everything eatabe in the country had
been taken by the esolderschckens ducks pigs cattle,
vesetablesa has gathered in for the support Of
the garrison Of Fort Anderson which wholly subsised
from the place. Everything In the way OF provisions
w a. bsy s %Soa ahy % coos
found stored there which were not visible IN the
morning neither did Lieutenant Cushing ~ Or mn sm
breakfast prepared for them BY the Mayor ana Town
authorities
ON Friday night the daring ofncer was sent up
the Cape Fear reconnaissance. He proceeded
small boats TO the obstrucons opposite Fort
which ne carefully examined and crossed, and then
passed on up 70 Wilmington. Here he made conplcte
OF the wharves and the shipping and gained
1 much valuable information. Among other things hs
found valuable steamer which excited his envy 70
great extent being valuable prize, and which he Wa
but remembering that he had orders TO attempt suct
I q hazardous undertaking, and remembering also ths
dinculty TINT would In the effort 70 got her By
| concluded 20 let heS alone. II well he dis
| So n IL turned out thai the steamer was loade,
| with troops, who would have more than 0vcYpowes
him had he made the attempt her out On his
turn Cushing found the famous rebel cruiser Chcka
/ On Saturday night the same officer was sent on an
Il other scout up the river with four small boata II
no Sneuy as ,rns M " ne % s,
he made hrs vessels fast on the obsructons and hmse
made his way along the piles and cribs 70 point cosl
the walls OF tho fort Here he able 70 hea
the Of speaker who was haranguing tho sarri
son, clictng frequent applause. The speaker sup
| posed to be Gen Bragg, who was known 70 be a
| the fon that evening, after our advance on THU
l side the river the same day. He was very en-.
thusiastic In his praise Of the gallantry Of the
rebel troops, told them that the time had come when
they 70 strike the final blow for Southern indie
pcndcnce them that he would be with them in
the great struggle and urged them stand steadA and
nrm and great deal more 10 the eest 70 all Of
which tho soldiers returned enthusiastic applaase "a
intent the attention paid TO the speaker that
the sentDes turned their backs the river, and al
though the shining full upon boats, they
neglected 70 them for full half hour that they laid
there AZ last sentinel chsnced TO turn larosnd aAd
discovered them. Instantly he sang out Corporal of
the guard" The corporal responded when the sentinel
Il sang out yankee boats In the river" "How mauyf'
asked the corporal. "Threc dozen,n was the reply.
The long roll sounded at once the meeting broke
up baztuy the garrsoa rushed 10 arms, and before
Cushing could get back his boats volIey Of
kerry, followed by discharges OF grape and canister
f0a ihs guns OF the fort after him. The nrng
continued for nearly half hour bus snguas -
relsse, Cushing and his entrc party got on safely