The New York herald., 1865-02-04
FORT FISHER.
-->>~~>~~>~~~~~~~-~-
Arrival and Departure Of General
Grant.
CONTRIBUTIONS IN WILMINGTON.
The Rebel Defences ON Cape Fear
River,
&C., &C., 60.
FORT FISHER.

Mr. Thomas M. Cooks Despatch.
FoRI Fsnsa, Jan. Co. 1885,
The arrival of Lieutenant General Grant, late houS
Saturday evening" created slight diversion from tho
monotony that has prevailed here for the past week.
General Grant was accompanied by Mrs. Grant, General
Rawlings and Mrs Rawlings General schoheld and few
other members Of the stan They guests Of Mr..
Assistant Secretary Fox, Of the Navy, ON the naval
steamer Rhode Island, arriving here at nine O'Clock
Saturday evening The party Immediately rc-
paired board the flagship Malvern, where they
entertained by Admiral Porter General Terry was
also sent for and went board the Malvern, where
general consultation held. The Lieutenant General
renewed personally his compliments and congratulations
TO the disting heroes of Fort Fisher.
The nature Of the interview that followed, or ito
results Of course not matters for public specua
tion Secretary Fox and General Barnard, a. well as
General Grant, admitted their surprise the achieve
mcnt that had been wrought here. Their wonder
only by the hasty and necessarily unsasfac
tory view Of the WORKS that could be obtained al night
The dietn gushed party With the exception OF General
Barnard, left at midnight on their return II was mat
ter Of regret that the demands the time and attention
oil the Lieutenant General urgent as 70 forbid his
tarryng here long emo gh 10 make survey Of the cap
tured works BY daylight. Both he and Secretary Fog
went away fully satisfied than ever with what ha0
been conlplisiied.
The cold weather that has prevailed for the past fort
night At the North has reached this latitude 10 sufficient
extent to form thin crust Of lie on the Capo4FcaT
which, however, quickly disappeared with the morning
sn.
be rising high in the air in the direction Of Will
mngon, which has given rise to the impression that ne
rebels are burning the vast stores be
accumulated there land and water,
made this afternoon failed 10 disclose any elimination Of
rebel strength in our front
The soldiers Of this command arc luxuriatng on hsh,
OF whick the Cape Fear river furnishes abundant
ply of the finest varieties number Of seines were cap
ured with the other effects OF Fort Fisher and are kept
In constant use, thus materially essoniIg the supplies
required Of the Commissary Department
The military situation Is wholly unchanged since last
Hokes division OF rebels still occupy the cast
bank Of the river between here and Wilmington, while
Fort Anderson strong work on the opposite SIDE g
garsoncd fifteen hundred veteran rebel troops. Tho
river on both banks Is lined with detached earthworks
carrying artillery in front OF each Of which torpedoes
numerously planted In the river with clccsTcs appar
ratus shore for their explosion. .,...s.
Sercs ndustriousy circulated at tho Norm,
doubtless the purpose OF destroying the existing har-
bravery o. Admiral Porsor, and impnting 70 MN, ~
Ps saws that Il is possible he will move on Wiimington
sine. che scents cotton bae In that direction Ger
tanly officer In this has shown less Of sordid mo-
tives than Admiral Porter The prize money awarded TO
him by the admiralty courts during his cam.
paigns on the Mississippi river amounted g
he generously passed 70 the gallant sailors Of hs
| command. The share Of prize money coming % him
for the destruction Of the AlbcmAc accomplished by
his instructions will amount several thousands oi
dollars. This he has, In anticipation, made over q
Lieutenant Cushing a. personal y Tribute % 70 oeserv'pl
well known that Admiral Porter, 10 this day, has moi
drawn OF the prize DE him for tho capture
OF the numerous valuable prz taken In the blockade o
this port under his administration All this prize money
amounting In the aggregate ~ many thosands Of dollars
indeed considerable fortune which IL legally, Justly
| morally and honestly due him. No can dispute hi
claim The fact that II 10 due him 10 OF itself
evidence Of the athfuness With which he has discharged
the duties OF his once Were less due him thcr(
woud DO greater grounds for assault upon his eciency
His magnsnimy rs therefore the more conspicuous II
declining 70 apply TO his agerandixemont the wealth
| that 90 rightcousiy belongs N him.
Hs however, quesion for the politicians 70 deter
tity Admiral Porter does not ie at the base Of the
Iosfs assaults him. Nay not be hostility 70 any.
thing naval growing Of the unfortunate naval ezps.
| rience OF OF the editors OF that papen
Since the troops composing this expedition len he
James river they have been without malta teverAl
have procure the mails long
due but although but thirty six hours sail from
Fortress Monroe nothing h yet forthcoming Thor, csr
tainy mus, be remissness somewhere Can anybody veil
whore the blame licsy