The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-02-13
WHINING
Inspection of the Cape Fear
River Defences.
The Capture Of the Blockade Runner
Blenheim and Bleaching Of Another.
The Gunb0at Shawmut Engages
Fort Anderson,
&C., &C., DC.

Mr.. James G. Fitxpatrick's Despatches.
Foar FIsHsa, N. c., Feb. ], 1885.
INSPECTION FEAR DErKScEs.
Yesterday morning Major General Barnard, Brevet
Brigader General Comsock and Lieutenant Colonel Por
ter General Grants STAFF accompanied by Commodore
Rogers of the Dctaor Captain Harris Of the Allegheny
Arsenal and other gentlemen made tour Of inspection
Of the recently held by the enemy and intended
for defence Of Cape Fear river The party took pas
sage on the steamer c. w. Thomas, Captain Doane, and
frst visited the works Smith Island Bald Head.
Forts Caswen and Campbell next inspected, where
unmitable evidence afforded Of the energy and in
dusry with which the rebels abored to render the river
against entrance Those OF the regular army
who remember CAswell before tho would hardly
recognize in the mounds Of sand and turf with
which it Is now surrounded and strengthened. The
party returned Genotal Terys headquarters at lato
hour in the evening.
Admiral Porters feet Is stn here in strong force await
ing tho signal advance up the river AT present tho
lect s anchored in the shape Of letter u enclosing the
peninsula on which Fisher and the located
tan DUNN Which i abreast Of he encmys position on
the beach and finds occasional employment In Smelling
the rebel scouting parties which approach from above
The inside OF the line held by the Monitor Mentank,
which recently advanced within two thousand two hun.
bred yards Of Fort Anderson the Cape Fear and fred
q few shots without elicting any response.
FORT ANDERSON
Fort Anderson the right bank Of the river nearly
opposite infantry picket line, and Is strong work,
defended by some aseen hundred troops Descriers
port that tho rebels have planted large number OF tor
~ inc b. tho Y 90
posion OF these Internal machines Abe rebels are very
qiio inside The fort and FIRE bu. seldom Its armament
said consist Of nine thirtytwo and two heavy Par
WV rLrr oUArpsur-mocxAps RuSssns
The guArdshp New Inlet entrance is the steamer
Fort Dopelson which made prize few nights since Of
the blockade runner Blenhem. The Blcnhcim came In
with the tide toward daylight unconscious Of our posses.
sion OF the place. and anchored under the Mound !"
where despic her English flag, she was 'gobbled next
beacned near Fort Campbell inside the The
Nansemond engaged In getting her cargo, and there Is
probability that she may be saved
The wharf, urgently needed, Vt Federal Point,
is in course OF rapid construction by Colonel Dodge
Captain Lamb lately stationed at Jones' Landing on
the James river has been appointed post quartermater
| Al Federal Point
| Foxr FisHa, N O., Feb. O. 1895.
Tm WAwMuT BORT ANDERSON
The gunboat shswmut yesterday afternoon advanced
from her anchorage with the main body Of She Meet in
the river and took up position near Fort Anderson,
upon which, and the shore opposite she opened with
hundred FOUNDER rife She ared number Of shots, but
enemy remained perfectly Setcent Their failure TO
respond during the past few days. has given rise TO the
from tho fort and left only the torpedoes 70 oppose our
| advance.
Il
desertcr represents the arrangement OF these torpe
does very complete They are planted at frequent
intervals In the channel below Orion Point Lighthouse
and are connected with galvanic batteries on shore
4 THE WHEREABOUTS TUE EMMY.
Doserters rom Hoke's lines report very email force
In front of infantry line and that the main force OF
| the enemy is near Wilmington.
Weather clear and beautiful Supplies are arriving
| much to the delight Of the soldiers
FoRr FISHER, N G, Feb. 9, 1895.
Affairs remain in comparatively quiet state General
paynes pickc,s occasionally exchange shot with the
/ rebels, and the gunboas with Fort Anderson.
nysrxRous PROCEEDINGS IN CAPE FEAR RIVER
/ A few nights since Captain Marston, Of the steamer
General Howard discovered a small boat In the river
near the warehouse pier He hailed her, but failing 70
get any response fred shot, when she rcreated toward
the opposite shore Soon after no overhauled boat
under tho suspicious circumstances, and not re-
ceivng any "a his challenge, fred several shots
when pursuit was taken up by small boat from the
navy The mysterious craft, however, made her escape
| again. II IL supposed that these boats come from
Prices creek the opposite shore Of Cape Fear river
with the intention OF planting torpedoes in the channel
between Federal Point aud the gunboat nect Admiral
Porter has taken steps to prevent mischief arising from
this source aud a system of councrsgns has been ar
ranged, by which own small boats may be known AZ
night Ia passing through the heet and tho rebel boats
| detected
The appearance Of Fort Anderson last night gave I'M
msakable evidence that our suspicious OF US abandon
mont by tho enemy have been without foundation It's
vicinity illuminated by nnumerable camphres show
ing that s only garrisoned STILL but supported by
large force Of nsnysomc two thousand Ave hundred,
| according TO tic report Of recent deserters
Toar Frsasa, NJ c., Feb. s, 1885.
The peninsula around Fort Fisher fast assuming the
appearance OF busy seaport town, what with the In
Vulnerable hus and ens erected BY our troops and INC