The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-03

could be taken and the rebels knew it. Three
or four gunboats outside would soon have
startled them throughout. have had great
difficulty in getting the gunboats over the bar
in getting the last one through. The rebels
left plenty of good stores and provisions, and
our men are now subsisting on them. I send
you list of the forts that have fallen into our
hands since Fort Fisher. With the number
and calibre of their gums we have found here
in each Fort an Armstrong gun with the broad
arrow on it and the name of Sir VIM. Arm.
strong marked in full. s. -ag ., 81.
As the British government claims the ex.
elusive right to use these guns, it would be in
tereSting to know how these guns came into
the forts held by the Southern rebels. find
that immense quantities of provisions, stores
and clothing have come through this port l
am almost afraid to mention the amount, but
1t Is enough to supply over &, 900 men. 1t Is
all English, and they have received the last
cargo. No more will ever come this way.
We picked up . telegram from Gen. Lee to
his sHbOrdinates here, saying that if Fort Fish
er and Fort Caswell were not held he would
have to evacuate Richmond. He says it most
truly, and should not be surprised if he left
it at any moment. We have plenty of force
to hold this place against the whole southern
confederacy. I have 25O guns bearing on the
narrow strip of land, where our troops are
heavily entrenched, There are vessels in the
river and outside, and we only hope they will
attempt to retake it. 1000 men in Fort Fisher,
with the guns of the squadron would hold this
place long time. .... ~. ~ o.. .. ...
We find this better place to catch blockade
runners than outside. had the blockade run
ners' lights Lit last night, and was obliging
enough to answer their signals. Whether they
were right or wrong I don't know. Two Of
them, the Stag and Charleston, from Bermuda,
loaded with arms, blankets, Shoes &C., came
in and quietly anchored, when they were taken
possession of. The Stag was commanded by
Richard B. Gayle, Lieutenant in the rebel
navy and belonging to the rebel government.
A number more are expected, and we viii,
hope, catch portion of them. entrusted
this duty to Lieut. Cushing, who performed it
with his usual good luck and intelligence.
These two are very fast vessels and valuable
prizes. They threw a portion of their papers
overheard Immediately on finding they were
trapped. The Charlotte brings five English
passengers, one of them an English Army Of
ticer.
They all came over, as they expressed it, on
lark, and were making themselves quite jolly
in the cabin over their champaign, felicitating
themselves on their safe arrival. The Stag re.
ceived three shots in her as she ran by our
blOckaders outside.
Very respectfully your obedient servant.
DAVID d. PORTER,
Rear Admiral.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-Rear Admiral
Porter writes to the Navy Department
long review of Gen. Buffers report. He
says Gen. Weitzel was selected to COM
mand the expedition, and Buffers name
was never mentioned. Gen. Butler de-
pended on the powder boat to blow the
forts down and enable the troops to walk
in without assault. It is not true Butler
gave the navy thirty-six hours start, as the
transports started before the navy had dis
appeared. Porter says he thinks Butler
studiously kept out of his way without be-
ing where he could cooperate. 1t is de-
liberate mistake that Porter was urged to
run by the forts. -. ...
Porter says he never saw Butler or any
of his staff after landing on the beach, nor
did he see him from the time he left For
tress Monroe till after bis return there.
Porter says he never had any intention of
passing the forts until they were convinced
of the impossibility of doing so. Porter
says that all paragraphs in Buffers report
about what Porter said and did are false
from beginning to end. The whole report
is characterized as tissue of misrepre-
sensations. .-