The New York herald., 1865-02-23
THE HERALD REPORTS,
Mr.. Thomas M. Cooks Eespatches.
FORT FISHER Feb IS, 1895.

Mr.. Thomas M. Cooks dispatches.
FORT FISHER, Feb. Is, 1895.
FORWARD TO w,LMNGroN
The order has gone forth. The columns massed.
The battle has commenced Ere this despatch reach
you the doomed city will doubtless be restored to the
Jurisdiction OF the federal authorities.
Hitherto for apparent reasons, have refrained from
mentioning tho arrival OF rcnforcements at this place.
But the public had doubtless understood full well that
the little handful Of men, although all heroes, brought
here by General Terry, especially after deductng
from their small aggregate the casualties caused by
ssrming this supposed-to beimpregnablc work, and
after detailing O suIicient force to guard twenty
Ave hundred = prisoners sent North, and further,
after sufficiently garrsoning and securing the
works commanding the mouth OF the Cape Fear
vivsr-our base OF opcrations--was altogether in
sdequate to undertakesa march inland country
covered with foracaions and garrsoned by the choicest
troops OF the rebel confedcracy This consideration will
relieve General Terry In the minds OF the public from
any suspicion OF backwardness In the management OF
military operations hercabouts The authorities have
manifested their confidence In him by the distinguished
honon conferred upon him.
It WILL therefore, be understood that Wilmington Is
yst rebel possession from falt OF that gallant officer
Neither there any blame traceabe to any other Official
The sole reason has been the severity of the
weather at the North which has closed important nes
- transportation and prevented the movement OF
troops little relaxation Of the weather permitted
. portion Of tho reinforcements destined for this
point to como through With these the forward
novemsnt 10 undertaken, the importance
q the speedy attainment Of the anticipated objects JUS
ufying the commanding general In advancing without
wsAting for his entire force.
THE RxnK DEvEScKs AND TROOPS
have already forwarded 10 you detailed map OF the
approaches TO Wilmington from this direction which
will be the rebel fortncatons and other obsructons
% bc overcome. In immediate 'front.' from Federal
Point lies the veteran rebel division OF General Hoke
thousand four hundred strong, occupying strongly In
trenehed line, reaching from tho head Of Masonboro
Sound, on the east tho river TO Sugar Loaf the
Cape Fear Sugar Loaf is artificial mound similar to
ths work The right Of the sea front Of Fort Fisher
known - the Mound Battery carries two heavy guns
sanladIng the front Of the rebel position.
We could doubtless make . short job OF dislodging
Hoke and destroying his works before breakfast any nne
morning might BE- deemed advisable 20 attempt Il: but
thk would only be driving him back into the moro eabo
rate and formidable works surrounding the city Could
Admiral Porter pass this position with his runboats there
would then be trouble In 'gobbling up
bsfors they could retro 70 the city, but
s the accomplishment Of this pan the rebels have seen
- 10 obsruct the river opposite this very point thus
preventing the passage Of the Admirals boats These
ebsructons have heretofore been described you Nor
would II DO any very hcrcucan undertaking to remove
those distractions, not for the fact that the
naughty rebels have placed work, which they call Fort
Anderson Immediately at the other end Of them and In
such position as to bear full upon them. This fort is
really very strong work, resembling in Its general
character Fort Fisher, and In reality falling but little be-
meath that famous work Ia extent, IT, indeed In the
number and calIbrc Of It's guns
Here, then, is formidable line extending from the
ocean to and the Cape Fear RIVER, and resting
upon the extensive swamps and marshes beyond tho