Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-03-03

WASHINGTON Feb %.
The Navy Department has received the
following from Rear Admiral Porter:
U. S. FLAG SHIP MALVERN,
E.n- L. Dim Eok LIE

The Navy Department has received the
following from Rear Admiral Porter
U. S. FLAG SHIP MALVERN,
CAPE FEAR RIVER Feb. l6.
SIR
have the honor to report the surrender
or evacuation of Fort Anderson. General
Schofeld advanced from Smithville. with
5000 men, on the 18th inst. At the same
time attacked the works by water. placing
the monitor Montauk close TO the works and
enflading them with the Pawtucket, Lena
pee, Unadilla, Penguin, the tide and wind
not allowing more vessels to get under fire.
The fort answered pretty briskly, but quiet
ed down at sunset On the 18th, az :
O'Clock moved up closer. with the Montauk
leading, followed by the Mackinaw, Huron,
Sassacus, PontOOsuc, Maratango, Lenapee.
Unadllla, Pawtucket .0sceOla ,Shawmut. Sene-
ca. WyandOtte Chippewa and LittleAda, and
kept upa heavy fire through the day, until
late in the afternoon. The enemy's batter
les were silenced by three O'Clock, though
we kept up the fire till nearly dark We
also fired through tho night. In the mean
time General Sch0feld was working in the
rear Of the rebels TO cut them of. The lat
ter did not wait for the army to surround
them. but left in the night. taking five OF
six piecesO artillery with them. and every
thing else Of any value. At daylight, this
morning, some of our troops that were near
bv went in and hoisted the flag on the ram
parts. when the firing ceased from the mont
tors There were ten heavy guns in Fort
Anderson, and quantity Of ammunition.
We lost but three killed and FIVE wounded.
d. d. PORTER,
Rear Admiral.
To Hon. Gideon Welles.
First Lieut.. and Adit Thomas p. Greene.
of the 5th MINI Veteran Infantry. to-day
presented to the War Department by order
Of Mai Gen Thomas, Il battle flags, cap
turcd in the battle of Nashville On the 18th
Of December last, and in an action that i'm
mediatev succeeded that brilliant victory
during the pursuit OF the rebel forces under
Hood.
In addition TO the dispatch Of Admiral
Porter, in relation to the surrender Jr cvlcu-
ati0n Of Fort Anderson. information WAS IT,
ccived at the same time at the Navy Depart
ment th@t It. Nm. b Gushing constructed
a mock monitor. 50 closely resembling one ot
those vessels that no difference could be de-
tected at a distance OF 100 yards.
On Saturday night. the 18th. at about II
O'Clock this vessel was taken up % within
about 400 wards Of the fort and set adrift.-
A. there was strong food tide she moved
up the river and passed the fort as If under
slow steam Al this time the army had
worked about twO-thirds Of the distance
ground and IN the rear of the fort, and the
rebels no doubt thinking their communIca-
lions would De cut of by land and water,
hastily escaped by the only avenue open To
them. leaving their guns unspiked, their
m0rtars uninjured, &c.
The Richmond Sentinel Of the 20th saws
We understand that Grant shows 40 dispo-
sItion t. assume offensive operations, and las
wi hdrawn from bis works thls side Of Hat
cher's Run.
The condition Of the roads render the sue
cess Of any important movement doubtful -
| The ground Is now thoroughly thawed and
rotten, and almost impassable fol cavalry and
artillery, and exceedingly difficult for infant
y movements.
Scouts from within Grants line report
movements of troops backward and forward
between our right and City Point. These
transfers occur frequently and are generally
for the purpose Of relief.
Northern papers give rumors that theclu-
federates are mining Yankee forts in front Of
Petersburg
Dispatches from Baltimore. Philadelphia.
and all points south. state that the DAY was
most heartily observed by all classes Sa-
lutes were fired and everybody was joyful.
\ special dispatch to the Philadelphia
Bulletin from Washington. says that the
rebel papers announce that Sherman's adj
vance had reached Camden. 40 miles north
of Columbia, on Saturday.
Richmond papers Of Wednesday Indicate
that Sherman advanced on Monday North
from Wins5oro through Blackstone and Ches-
reryille. and crossed Wateree river. his cav
airy being in advance.
10 il believed BIZ the authorities In Wash
mgtOn. that he crossed North Carolina State
line Thursday, and is by this time near
Charlotte
4 letter published IN the Richmond papers
from Gen Lee. saws the arming OF the slaves
is not only expedient, but necessary, as he
does not think the white population can sup
ply the necessities Of long war.
4 letter from the 9th army corps. Of the
23d. saws deserters state several bugades Of
Hill's corps have gone 20 reinforce Beaurc-
gard, and that the whole OF Lees army are
under marching orders.
Another letter dated the oath, says it Is
known that considerable portion of Lees
army were ordered, Yesterday. 10 make ready
tour days cooked rations, and t. prepare to
carry considerable ammunition On thc per-
-1n.
Additional precautions are being taken at
City POINT and other places for the proper
reception OF the rebel rams which are soon
expected to make another attempt at a raid
down the James river.
\ letter from Gen. Grant was received at
noon Saturday, in which he says that if Sher-
mans successes continue few days longer.
the country can safely indulge in exultauon.
Tur Sr-Fz C.NaI Mr. Ferdinand de es