The Portland daily press., 1865-12-01
Stock Markets.
NEW YORK, Nov. 80.
Letter from Fortress Monroe.

AOhlhLCC 4hONAOL3 4NOfs Ac, 1COOs
To the Editor of the Press:
This bit of sand has been of some note since
the war first broke out. 1t was here that the
commander of the fleets that invested the
southern ports were ordered to report, to
await further orders. Click, click was all that
the outsider could distinguish in the manip-
ulation of the instruments in the hands of
the telegraph operator, but in those clicks
were the words which caused the fleet to sail
and make the attack on Port Royal All dis
patches from the commanders of the various
land and naval forces which operated on the
southern part of the "confederacy," were tele-
graphed from this point to Washington. If
that ocean cable which last week was taken
from its ocean bed, could rewrite the dispatch
es which passed over it, strange tales it would
reveal; one hour jubiant rejoicing, and the
next lamentations. Ff
Within sight took place the Hampton Road
Peace proposals The naval combat between
the Merrimac, Congress, and Cumberland dis
tlubed the waves which roll against this
Point. Contractors, Generals and other suck
ers have here inserted their fangs into the
plethoric purse of Uncle Sam, and having
grown rich, returned to more extended
sphere to sport on their ill-gotten gains. And
more recently the Chief of the fallen foe, has
been made the guest of General Miles, who
by stroke Of his pen permitted your humble
correspondent to visit the inside of the wall
wherein the Rebel Chief, now shorn of his
power, takes his walk.
Since his visit to Portland in 1857, time has
made its mark upon him. That firm and
stately step with which he daily took his walk
around your city, is no more with him. His
hair is mostly grey, and his countenance be-
tokens that in the days the Confederacy his
was no boys play. The officer in charge says
that he makes no complaints of his incarcera-
ton, bears it with the air of martyr, but
that he can see that the confinement is grad
ually undermining his strong constitution
As passed him he gave me nod of recogni-
ton, and from a subsequent chat with the Of
ficer, learned that his conversation changed
to his visit to Portland. He spoke of the hap
Ply season that he passed with your people.
Probably many ofyour readers may not be
well posted touching the comforts of the Reb-
Ell Chiefs present headquarters. Imagine, then,
some of the finest private grounds in your city,
as they appear in their July Or August glory
and greatly extended and elaborated, enclosed
with half score of granite walls artistically
constructed, the whole enclosed with moat
forty feet in width filled with water, the inte-
rior well supplied with buildings, allinhabited,
and the view nom the ramparts where he is
allowed to walk an hour each day not surpass-
ed for romantic beauty anywhere north of Ma
son and Dixon's line, and you may have some
idea of the appearance of his present place OF
sojourn. Still there is restraint. The silent
room, which is on the second floor, at all times
When he comes to the window to gaze at
! Gods gifts, the heaviest iron bars obstruct his
| view.
Recent orders have been given to put the in
side of the Fort in complete repair, and to do
this large number of carpenters have been
put on the works. Orders have also been re-
ceived to repair the various wharves in a
thorough manner, which is being done under
the superintendent of Mr.. Wood, formerly OF
Lewiston, in yonr State.
Six large steamers touch daily at the wharf,
together with some half dozen government
tugs which are constantly coming and going,
giving quite business appearance.
| Such is the amount of printing required for
the Quartermaster's Department, that within
ten days a printing press has been brought
here and set up.
Over fifty sail ofvessels can be counted from
the wharf while am writing. The Boston
and New York steamers, which arrive in TIE
evening, drop anchor and wait until morning.
it being deemed unsafe, Oh account of many
distractions, to proceed
Six regular correspondents of Northern pa
pers are still on duty here, beside two from
| abe South. ass iJs ~ snlt- STEVE.