Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-01-23
FROM WASHINGTON.
Hor the Fort Fnher Ne,cs ras Reeored- TAe
Works Be- Dome Before Wilmington Is Closed.


The announcement OF the capture Of Fort
Fisher produced considerable enthusiastic sur
prise here this morning. Il was not publicly
known that the expedition had siartel the sec
ond time u effect the capture Of that in 2ortant
work until yesterday afternoon. and even this
Intelligence had not reached all classes Of the
community when the dispatches announcing the
fall Of the foE; we're received. Those ~inirusted
with the secret Of the sailing Of The expedition
we're 20 tenacious OF i, that not even a hint was
given 20 the public. i, sas not even expected
that a second attempt woulG be made against
Wilmington, and, therefore, when the news that
the feet had actually appeared of Fort Fisher
reached Us by Richmond papers. IL was discred-
tied in many quarters, Bot the Official dispatches
received this morning by the navy department
dispelled all doubts. Fort Fisher is captured. aud
the impulsive ones have jumred to the conclusion
that the expedition has accomplished a complete
and glorious success.
Admiral Porter and Gen Terry certainly merit
praise for the work they have done. They have
accomplished what many regarded as an impos
sibilisy Those who blamed Porter for the fail
ure OF the FRS; expedition now discover that
their censure was undesefyed. and are forced 10
admit that IL the cOmmander OF the land forces
had done his duty. the federal flag would have
fioated over Fort Fisher on the 9th Of Deem
Der. The success OF General Terry's attack.
bloody and costly though it was, proves that
the same result could have been obtained three
weeks ago IL the right man had been there to
strike FOR ii. 1t also proves that none but
fighting generals should have a command in the
field.
But the capture of Fort Fisher is ONLY one
step toward the accom- p~lishment of the task un
dertaken BY Porter and Terry. That task is 10
effectually seal the port of Wilmington. That
CITY j. reached bv two channels. One of them
is now dominated by federal guns, and, conse-
q~uently. rendered unavailable 20 the confeder
ates. The other is beyond the range OF these
guns, aud it banks are bristling with confeder-
ate cannon. II is known as the Beach channel
and is separated from the main channel by Mid
die shoals, extending from near Oak Island 10
about two miles above Fort Fisher. This chan
mel cannot be reached by the guns on Federal
Point. The entrance 70 it is guarded by Fort
Csswell, a strong work on Oak Island and i, is
said that il Is also commanded by numerous wa
ter batteries which line the western side OF
Cape Fear river IL is not improbable that this
channel Will also be closed against confederate
blockade runners, but not without severe fight
ing. II fact, it is felt thai a great deal remains
to be done before the work of sealing the port
OF Wilmington IS finished. This is not said with
a view TO detract from the importance of the
work already accomplished, but solely to put
-. ~ NLr aANAa Kills civ AhE AAti
Wilmington, the gateway of he confederacy, i
now Of no value 10 the south The next ad
vices from Admiral Porter nav bring intelli-
Sence that both channels are dominated by fed
eral cannon, out until such intelligence il re-
ceiyed and confirmed, be assured that the Veto.
~ Is not complete.
Gen. Butler Was to-day before the committee
on the conduct OF the war. and while engaged in
demonstrating the impossibility ofcapturing Fort
Fisher by assault. the dispatches announcing its
fall were received. IL is said that in addition 10
the testimony elected concerning the cause OF
his fiasco az Federal Point, he made some i'm.
portaut disclosures concerning the causes of sey
ersl failures before Petersburg There ia in this
city "a clique of abolition fanatics who are deter
mined TO keep Butler aioat as long As that is
possible, but the weight OF his biunders will
sink him despite their efforts IL j. reported that
his testimony TO day refected.somewha hat severely
on Grant, aud this is not az all improbable, 80 il
is known that these generals bear each other no
good will. Another report. and one that is well
authenticated, states that Gen. Grant has been
summoned 10 testify before the committee.
The Blair mission has. ended az was predicted
last week. IL Is not known that he even at
tempted TO open negotiations with the confeder-
ate government. but IL ia known that he was not
empowered to do so, and the peace bubble which
was so industriously blown about ten DAYS age
has shared the fate of all bubbles and vanished
into air. Dir Blair meant well. and his mission
nav have one good result The door opened
by him may remain open, and admit others who
it is to be hoped. will be more successful than he
has been. WYOMING