The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-01-26
The Union Batteries at Fort
Harrison Open.
Ono Of the Rebel Vessels Blown Up.
One Badly Damaged, and Two
Aground Within Range.
The Rebel Iron Clads Take
the Back Track,
&C., &c., Go.

Mr.. 3. Cadwallades's Despatch.
err POM, Va, Jan ALAN
HOSTILE PREPARATIONS zxnr's FLEET m sAxss
Since the withdrawal by Admiral Porter OF 20 large
proportion Of tho naval armament heretofore the
James river and Hampton Roads for offensive opera
ons against Wilmington and vicinity grave aprehen.
sons have arisen In many minds lest the enemy should
take advantage Of their absence 70 preopitata
their iron cais upon US, and nAlct lesA
damage before tho necessary concentration OF gun
boats 70 resist their advance could DO conveniently
made These fears have had additional confirmation with
In few days. by reports OF scouts deserers, who
In stating that such attack had been deter
mined on by the rebel commanders and that ts exscu!
ton would be attempted during the present state Of high
water.
Preparations have been quietly progressing PARE
10 give the buccaneers . much reception than
they seem 70 expect.
THE FLEET runs BY FORT mApY.
Last night three rebel iron cads resembling the Al.
lana In size and appearance, dropped down the river
.rom their anchorage just below Fort Darling, and suc-
oscdcd running past Fort Brady in the darkness an6
fog uninjured
CLEARING TIE CHANNEL OF RIVER.
Az three O'Clock this morning they reported lying
under cover Of the Howott House battery, busly
gagged In removing the hulks Of vessels sunk In the
channelsof the river by u last summer. They came
Win topcdoeS prepared Ior ooWing up al op6SSucuono
In the channel, and succeeded In exploding aboss
daylight
ONE vEsr1 inflow mn ossmucrosA !,
One Of the rebel craft managed 70 get past win The
assissancs Of ightsrs 10 supposed and was acting -
cover 70 the rebel working parties on the sunksn vs
| yuro urox TEE FLEsr
Slow but heavy firing has been going on since th4
snemys intentions discovered this morning Conn
paras.vcly but few guns b. brought 70 bear upod
them from the north hank Of the Jaes but the right al
General Fencros line the south side Of tho river II
employing all the metal bearing upon the rebel craft
NINE o'ctou AN
General Tsrero reports that the guns OF Fort Parsons
| on his line have exploded and sunk Of the rebel
iron-cads and disabled another Tho remaining vss
sesthcse being four In the nect nsead Of three, -
nrst reporcdappcar 70 be aground considerably up.
stream from where his guns in position. The shoe
from his batteries strike them fairly every discharge
but arc shed OF with little apparent damage thua
far.
THE NAVY ExrscrED 70 COOPERATE
The Indications At this writing that vigorous Coz
operation Of the navy would insure the immediate and
complete destruction Of them all Tho attempt win
undoubtedly be made before morning, the high tide
| At that hour would greatly expedite their escape
urr POINT
In no need fears I've entertained for the safety a
this point for ample arrangements made for the stop
page and destruction Of a. vessels miles above here
| Our Special Washington Despatch.
/ wAsmSGros, Jan. Is. 1905.
0fcal advices from General Grant, received this afcr
noon say that the rebel sunboas failing pass The oh.
nructions In the James river with the exception 81
small boat have all retired up the yer and the aAr 10
over.
cns OF the rebel boats blown up and two others
turcd by the Gre Of the batteries Not much profit TO The
rebels In this enterprise much glory their navy
Tho Press Despatch.
WASHINGTON, jan 20, 1895 -
Dispatches received here state that yesterday mon- q
| two clock, rebel feet Of ave vessss-the Rich
mond 81 adron long being preparcdcamo down The
nver 70 destroy depots and works at CITY Point
The high water, caused BY the frcshet enables
| them 70 pass tho distractions which commanders
had piscod above CITY Point for the better projections e
| the place.
bstde quickly ensued between the rebel Hect sn1
nearest battery FORT In which ono Of the rsbsa
vessels blown up and instantly aud entirely de-
stroy~d while others badly damaged BY shoe