The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-02

DISTRACTION or FORT LAF2YETTE RY FIRE
Fears of mn Observation-Disclosures al Fort
Hamilton.
Yesterday witnessed q connagraton OF a most un-
usual disastrous character, involving no less AN
than the destruction OF o United States fort
just within the entrance OF narbor, the iortn-
cation in question being none other than the cee-
braed and renowned Fort Lafayette, around which
cluster so many incidents Of historic note pregnant
with the memories OF the numerous disoyal men or
prominence OF our nation who were confined within
liz strong walls during the late rebellion.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
the connagratiOn found origin in the following
manner:-it appears that about ten minutes before
one O'Clock yesterday afternoon nre was discovered
from the side Of an old and unused chimney on the
land side OF the fort where or the ab0rers of th0
the engineers department, named Joseph Minew,
contrary to the orders Of his superior. lighted nrc
beneath shed covering the casemate on that side
for the purpose OF warming his dinner The IRE had
gained considerable Roadway before 1t was dis-
covered
The carpenters have been engaged at work in
rebuilding the roof (Which was broken down
during the war; for several days past, and
there was great quantity or timber, such a. Shin
giles aud oice the place, to which the fire spread
with unwonted rapidity owing mainly TO the fact
that the chimney In which the fire was lighted was
foul, and the latter, instead OF carrying or
the fame and smoke, communicated with
the woodwork, which latter was dry as
finder. The wind was high at the time ami
swept through the emDrasures and over the ram
parts tanning the flame in most boisterous man
ner and warning the frightened little garrison To
seek safety In hight
Justice G. W. Church, who Is proprietor Of the
hotel just outside OF the wall of Fort hamilton, and
with whose office Is a telegraph wire, Immediately
sent despatch to General Newton, In New
York, Chief Engineer OF the harbor fortilcatiOns.
informing him OF the disaster and requesting uhat
IA light draught tug be sent down to the burning fort
General Voges, who is IN command OF the station at
Fort Hamilton to cause wet sand bags 10 be placed
and against the doors OF the powder magazine
in Fort Lafayette and also despatched tugboat and
steam pump, with hose as requested. Unfortunately
however, the tug grounded when nearing the fort.
and was therefore, unable to render the desired az.
sstance This was about three O'Clock In the after.
noon. In the meantime the police boat under com.
mand OF Captain Hart, came down the bay and got
fine stream the fire, which was raging with great
fury within, tapping up the yellow pine flooring aud
appalling, in view or the fact that within the
powder magazine were stored 5000 pounds, or
seventeen and half tons OF gunpowder. There
stored within the fort 100000 feet OF new um-
ber which was to be used Id the improvements con-
outer door Of the magazine were piled iso bundles or
shngles-a rather severe test Tor the nreproor
General Newton, Colonel Vaughan and Lieutenant
Miller OF the Engineers Department, arrived on the
scene Of the connaeation and made an inspection
thereof suggesting such means for tho suppression or
the fire as were possible under the circumstances,
though the latter were hopeless. indeed. The
General left about halfpast six O'Clock, he
being then OF the opinion that there was
no hope OF saving the work and That an explosion
was inevitable, 80 fiercey ragged the merry element
about the magazine. The police beat, too, caught
the conagion In some way or other from this fear or
the vicinity of the Inflated Fort Lafayette. sue
thercupon steamed away and LETT the tort to tho
mercy OF the flames, which dehed oil enorts To sup
press them. The residents In the vicinity on the
bluns and surrounding country became terribly
he placed should the fire reach the magazine and
left their homes in hundreds early In the afternoon,
making their way to the city for shelter.
AFTER DARK THE scNNE
was particularly striking and fearully exciting NJ
the flames shot upward rejecting beautifully upon
the surrounding waters and against the TALL Rauhg
ch:mneys and the white nagstan which stood DC
fantiy erect amid as IL seemed from the shore, an
lnsurmountap!e bank OF fire and smoke. Many OF
| the more courageous or the officers attached
| 10 the post, among wnom were MAJOR Maynoder,
/ who mas command of Fort Hamilton, and Lieutenant
\ narpor crossed frequently 10 the doomed struc
ture and examined the progress oil tue fire within.
reporting It's Roadway upon their return TO anxious
| groups who were gathered In fearful state, in
many instances, OF expectancy upon the shore. AT
rapid succession, adding to the alarm and CIV
ing to fresh fear as TO tue chances Of an
| talIed however, TO have been outside the DREADED
powder chamber, and a. the night wore on the lire
zine clear AZ eleven O'Clock ali fears OF an explo-
| sion were entirely allayed, ana Justice Churcn
Mr. Berry ana me lew courageous residents Ia the
valianlly stood their ground during the hours "
imminent peril. breatned frecr.
Inspector Folk. Captain Brown and Sergeants
Mcclellan and Williams, OF the Forty-efahth precinct,
and sergeant Miller, OF the Forty-third prccincts
with squad or twenty-five pairomen, were ON the
| ground from early hour III the morning, amt
wero most efficient in preserving order. iiumor had
II early in the night that the soldiers Of Fort iiaml
ton contemplated makinga raid upon the residence
Of Sergeant Groves. who was ordnance sergeant u
Fort Lafayette and resided near the former iOTt.
II such was really the intention OF tnc boys,r s
was happily frustrated through the formidable AZ
pearance Of Metropol!tans.
which was constructed during the war OF 1872, was
originally known AZ Fort Diamond, being OF tran.
gular form and was built OF brown ST ne ana free
stone trimmings. IL was decidedly old-iashioled
and as means OF modern defence was simply nse-
less Ia army pariance ~ was designated n conf
pany post, though n IL were ever placed upon
o war footing ~ would require 400 men
feet in thickness and the whole surrounded by
stout sea-wall. II mounted IN ali eighty guns Of
minor calibre two tiers In battery ana barbcttc.
! few new Parrots had been recently mounted ON
| the west side. The guns were generally twenty
| cites visit to the United States, IL received
4 It's present title In honor oil that distin-
guished soldier and patriot us dimensions
parade ground Of quarter OF an acre. The powder
| magazine which was situated In the area OF tic
\ fort, was bombproof and constructed with two
| doors, both Of which were heavy oak wood, lined
on the outside with COPPER there being space OF
SIX lett DelWetu tue outrtuC dun inner iHb
| walls of the magazine were OF solid masonry and
about seven feet thick. six months ago
! It was garrsoned by company Of tie
\ First United states artillery regiment, put
| since the withdrawal OF That company has
been rarrisoned from Fort Hamilton by sergeant's
guard OF six men, VINO have been relieved each day
from that post. The force at Fort Hamilton, con-
sstipg OF three companies Of the First artillery.
/ numbers ABOUT 200 men, and Is under Commanding
/ Major Maynadier
| Among the distinguished prisoners incarcerated
| within IT'S walls during tue war were THOMAS
\ Tandcrs. who oticcr IN the rebel service ana
Que OF the leaders IN the attack ana capture Of the
| cutter Harriet Lane, Oh Galveston, in 1888.
WIN. D. Archer, another notorious rebel. who. dis
guised ~ "A woman. enticed boats crew ashore on
the Florida coast and drew them into IRE that
cost tie lives Of several Union sailors.
John Edwards. captain OF guerilla band, and In
this capacity carried the rebel mails la dangerous