The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-03
TEE T0RT LAFAYETTE FIRE.

Total Ruin-Incidents, &c.
The connagration at Fort Lafayette, which was SO
fully and accurately reported in the HERALD on
Wednesday morning, ceased its devastating work
shortly after nine O'Clock yesterday morning, by
which time the last remnant Of combusrble material
accessible to the devouring element was absorbed
and naught save the crumbling, charred and black
ened walls OF that which in 1912 regarded as one
OF our finest specimens of engineering skill re-
manned to tell the tale OF former pr0wess
and glory. 1t is not, indeed, to be won
dered, then, that many sigh Of regret
should be heaved by the galent men OF
our army throughout the country vino have spent
many hours within Its precincts in the course OF
their term OF service; nor on the other hand, Is 1t
strange II the many hundreds who have fingered in
captivity within the confines of Its casemated cham
bers for their sins Of disloyay should rejoice ct the
wreck and ruin Of their prison house. In the South
there many an exultant aspiration breatned to-day
upon the receipt OF the news Of the demolition Of
Fort Lafayette, by the errng sons OF the nation who
were forced to make themselves at home at the
"Hotel de Burke" which latter title 1t gained from
the urbane Colonel Martin Burke, whose name was
so widely known as the jailer Of the modern Bias.
tile" during the war.
THE RUIN
presented to view on entering the fort yesterday
was one OF much grandeur The IRE still smoul-
derng In the southwest angle OF the structure, be-
meath the debris Of mortar, stone and iron, over
which the wind swept In a constant and strong cur
rent fresh from "Od Ocean" through the port holes
ana crevices OF the work. famed aresh the dormant
spark bore evidence OF the great heat which had
80 recently pervaded the confines of the place.
The arches supporting the second tier Of guns in
battery being OF timber succumbed readily to the
flames, and the immense weight Of metal contained
"a fhopan
bore down and fell through to the lower
tier. The heavy Parrot guns, 100pounders,
ten in number, and the twenty-three ten-inch Co.
magnificent confusion with iron bolts, bars and ap-
purtenances scattered about. Shot and shell, ex-
side front portions Of the broken shells being scat
tered in every direction resembling In some respects
the interior Of Fort Sumter after an engagement.
In all the onicers' and prisoners quarters.
with the exception OF three casemated apartments
iory Cole the pirate Of Lake Michigan. and that OF
the rebel Attorney General) were destroyed. These
Der in the vicinity The osts and heavy tmbers being
prepared for the new roof which was IN course OF
In warm Quarters but the DANGER Of
explosion, upon close Inspection does not seem to
have been SO imminent as was originally supposed.
The powder is kept In . b0mbprOOf apartment the
arches Of which are OF solid mason work. The outer
apartment, against the door OF which was
as shell room. Then on the inside
and on the right Of this apartment was q door of
was stone Work space OF three feet or 50 inter
vened between this latter door and the inner one in
which the dreaded powder was stored The fire
burned the door leading to the shell rOom set fire to
the floor and burned the boxes from around the
shrapnel, which was piled upon the floor near the
too, without even heating the outside door
OF the magazine. So that after all the
Enough heTe Is 0s peculiarly e
riDle in the very possibility. OF an explosion
Of the nature which report and fear gave ground to-
In visiting the ruin yesterday the writer was accom-
panied by Major Maynadier, Captain Shaw and
Lieutenant Capon OF the Fort Hamilton garrison, all
OF whom were Of the opinion that the fort s utterly
unavailable for further use in any shape US fort,
and that the walls have to be taken down and the
whole structure RESULT Indeed at any time one OF
the modern proectiles would readily penetrate the
walls on the one side and pass out at the other.
II Is to be regretted that while there were no less
than four cisterns or reservoirs inside Fort La
layette, each well fed with water, there was not
single re apparatus available In the place for use
the opinion that the tre would not have gained much
Roadway before they would have extinguished it.
But these regrets are all unavaing now that the
damage has been done and Uncle Sans loss, though
somewhat difficut to estimate at present, cannot TAIL
After ali It may prove beneficial ultimately, and
be the means OF causing more formidable
fortincaton TO be reared in It's stead. Three years
stands was surveyed by the government with the
view towards charging and improving the work,
but owing to the failure Of Congress to make the
necessary appropriation Of funds Tor the consumma
ton of this object the matter fell through and the
matter rested The fort in question was originally
designed a water battery to Fort Hamilton and is
situated about 500 yards from the shore.
THE "REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
connected with this work "varied and entertain
ing" in the words Of the play bill. Here 1t was,
previously stated, that Colonel Burke presided as
chief custodian and aer OF all refractory prisoners
OF war State during the memorable period OF the
rebellion, ever mindful OF the trust reposed In him
and earning for himself reputation at once envable
and unenviabe in the performance Of his Disagree
able duties
Admiral Buchanan, OF the rebel navy, who lost his
leg and was taken ut the capture OF Mobile, Aha.
The Admiral Ia said to have been 1.-THE heaviest
grumber ever borne on the prison roster OF Fort
s. r. Mallory, the Secretary of the Confederate
navy, occupied casemate here until the 10th OF
Charles James Faulkner, formerly Minister to
France and for several successive terms member OF
Congress from Marthsburg, Va, was confined
here; and Assistant Surgeon William NJ. Page, Of
James branch, Mayor of Washington James
Hayde, Of Baltimore, Nd; Senator Hn OF Georgia.
General Fitz Hugh Lee, son Of Robert f. Lee; Cole,
the pirate Of Lake Michigan-each dwet for q term
within the narrow limits Of this celebrated work.
Kennedy, the New York hotel burner, spent the last
Of his crime. His body is Inferred in the reserve
ground near Fort Hamilton. Brigadier General
a. this fort for several Tor some s0 reason or
other, which was never dvulged ny the War Depart
In 1861 the rations were fun and ample that were
issued 70 the prisoners, but subsequently the Secre
tary OF War concluded TO curtai the lighter materials
such as cofee and sugar. which were disallowed
This gave rise to much complaint among the prison
ers who could not appreciate the necessity for this
course Of economy the part OF the "Norhern gov
ernmento The ration was, however, plentiful In
che substantias, and Mr. Mallory frequently declared
that he was compelled TO- walk about In order
to digest his allowance, which was regarded as mir
evidence on the part OF the authorities that the
others were well enough fed.
, Thc people Of the village OF Fort Hamilton, who
LETT for fear OF an explosion 80 abruptly on
Tuesday afternoon and evening, returned TO their
homes yesterday, much rejoced at finding every
thing In the same order ~ when they let their
domlcies the day previous.
An Investigations.
For the purpose OF having full investigation ~
10 the origin Of the re and the extent OF the danger