The New York Herald Newspaper, December 28, 1864, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETR EetT0R AND eeninenee OORNER OF FULTON AND NASHAU BTS. “New Yerk,W cane sday, December 2 THE WAR NEWS. Our columns to-day are filled with military news of great importance. Secretary Stanton’s bulletin gives us informa- tion of the commencement of the attack on the defences of Wilmington by the joint forces of But- ler and Porter. These operations, so far as re- ported, had been srecessful. Wo also gtve interesting details of the capture of Savannah from one of our special war corres- Pondents, who came through Georgia with Sher- man's grand army. He also describes the opera- tions of the left wing of that army from the time it started from Atlanta till it reached the coast. It. will be recollected that the operations described by another of our correspondents, and published in the Hemacp on the 22d inst., were of the right wing. Weare also enabled, by the energy of another special correspondent, to lay before our readers this morning a full and interesting account of the recent expedition of Torbert’s cavalry, of Sheri- dan’s army, in the direction of Gordonsville, THE SITUATION. Richmond papers of yesterday, as we learn from Sec- Fotary Stauton’s despatch, report the commencement of the attack of the land and naval forces under General Butler aod Admiral Porter on tbe revel Fort Fisher, at the mouth of Cape Fear river, twenty miles below Wilming- ton, N.C. On Saturday lost over fifty vessels, many of them heavily armed, and including two Monitors, mado their appearance below the fort, and at one o'clock Bb the afternoon commenced on it @ furious attack, which ‘was kept up till night. At ten o’clock the next day (Sun ay) the attack was renewed, and was kept up all day, the fire being very severe and continuous. Under MMs cover three brigades of Union infantry were Nanded two miles and a half above the fort, and, fithough the rebels endeavored to drive them off, they held their ground. Late on Sunday night on in- fantry attack was made on the fort; ‘but this, the rebel despatches say, was repulsed. fi. nting we bave vo estimate. Gay's operations is kiven Yesterday newspoyers published in the rebel capital Qlso contain a despatch from General Beauregard, stating that the rebel General Hardee reports that a detachment from Geoeral Sherman’s army at Savanvah has moved Southwestward from Savannah towards the Altamaba @iver. Their object is supposed to be to destroy the Savannah, Albany and Gulf Railroad, ite depots, &c. Hardee says be bas made dispositions to check the ‘Yankees. ‘The headquarters of General Thomas on Monday of this ‘week wore at Pulaski, Tene., seventy-five miles south of ‘Nashyvilie; but bis cavalry, under Genera! Wilson, aud the Fourth Corps of the tniantry, under Geceral Wood, ‘wore considerably in advance of that place, in Close pursuit of Hood’s retreating rebols, and pushing them vigorously, General Wilson, in a Geepatch to General Tnomas, dated on Sunday last, ‘Deyond Pulaski, says there was then little doubt that Blood bad moved to Bainbridge, eight miles above Miorence, Alabama, on she Teuncesee river, fearing a ovement on his flank from Stevenson, Alabama. The Webel General Cheatham's ammunition wagons, Ofieen or @wonty in number, wore abandoned at Pulaeki, because the mules necessary to draw them were required to Qesist in getting off the pontoons. The rebel soldiers are @aid to be suffering greatly, and stragglers and deserters ‘wore being continually picked up by our troops The rebei Generais Lee and Buford are severely ‘wounded. Siuce coming into Tennesses, General Wilson Bays, Hood has lost eighteen general officers in killed, ‘wounded eed captured, and bis men acknowle loss ‘Of sixty-eight pieces of artillery ip the same time. Gen- ral Thomas states that Geveral Steedman, with bis corps Of Union troops, was, at seven o'clock on Monday morn. fag, seven miles from Decatur, Alabama, on which place fho was marching. A despatch from Concord, N. H., states that three of the liberated St. Albans raiders have been detected ‘among the recruits for the army at Lebanon, in that Btate. After their release in Montreal, it is said, they anade their way into New Hampshire, enlisted, received the bounty, and expected to get back to Jeff. Davis’ Gominions by desertiog on the first opportu- mity. ‘They are now ta the State prison at Concord, Ef these men prove to be really a portion of the raid. fog gang, there will certainly be no difficulties in their aves about extradition, Another of the raiders was ar- Fested iv Toronto yesterday. The United States steamer Chooura captured or Gestroyed off the Texas coxst, from November 4 to December 6, four blockading running schooners, with waluable cargoes, principally composed of cotton. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. We have roceived flea to November 6 of the Bolein Opial, published im Santiago de los Caballeros, St. Domingo, By these we are furnished some iosight re. arding tbe quarrel between the patriot officials and late head, President Bulcedo, A conference of the Of the casualties in the Nothing regarding Mon government mivisters, principal military officers and | Prominent citizens, was held in Santiago on the 10th of Uotober, when Salcedo was deposed, as all confidence in Bem was lost, be having opened negotiations for peace with the Spaniards. General Gaspar Polanco was ©hosen to succeed bim, and the rallying cry of *‘Down with Salcedo’ was put forth, It was fgreed that the Vice President and all the other civil and military functionaries should continue in office, but that Cbere sbould be vo peace with the Spaniards on any ther condition than their evacuation of Dominican ter- Fitory. On this the natives appear to be pretty well woilted, a determination to preserve the republic being Btrongiy manifested. A decree bas been issued requiring ‘all Dominicans in foreign countries to return home a1 give in their adhewion to the government within a cer- tain time, under the penalty of losing all their rights of Kizensbip. Three or four smal! engagements between Abe opposing military forces are mentioned, in all of ‘Which it is claimed the Spaniards were de‘eated. A severe shock, which rocked the ground and rattled tbe ‘windows, was experienced at Newbero, North Carolina, f@bout two o'clock on last Saturday morning. The sound Bnd effect were similar to those of an earthquake; but ‘what really caused them we have not yet learped, it is Burmised that they were produced by the explosion of Bn immonge powder magazine somewhere along the const ‘The Board of Supervisors met yesterday, and adopted B resolution increasing the salary of City Judge to Bix thoosand five bundred dollars a A resolution Yo increase the salary of the Surrogate to the same Smouvt was logt. A resolution tocroasing the salaries of the attendants of tbe Supreme, Superior, Marine and Borsioos Courts (rom eight handred to ope thousand dol Jere, was adopted. Heeolutions of condolesce with Su. Pervisor Purdy, on the death of bis son, Augustus Purdy, ‘wore adopted, and the Board adjourned to Thursday Pex! at three o'clock. The Board of Aldermen were in seesion yesterday. A Communication was received from the Mayor reappoint. Jng Daniel Deviio City Chamberlain, and the nomination ‘was confirmed by @ vote of ten to two, The report of the Committee oo Streets in (ayor of extending Church etreet | houses, and the oath was administered to the NiW “YORK HERALD,’ WEDNESDAY, DEORMBER © 29; 1664; to Morris street, and widening it to a width of eighty feet, was adopted, The Board of Counclimen met yesterdsy, when Mr. Jaques presented a minority report of the special com- mittee appointed to investigate the affairs of the Chil- dreu’s Aid Society, Mr. Hagerty (chairman pro. tem.) decided that the report was out of order untii the majority report was received. An appeal was had from the decision, when the cbair was sustained by an almost uvanimous vote. A large batch of reports of the Com- mittee on Roads of the Board of Aldermen wore received avd adopted without @ separate vote on each. Mr. Jaques gave notice that he would present # formal protest to such a proceeding at the next meeting, which will be held to-day at one o'clock. A very heavy fog prevailed in this vicioity yesterday, and occasioned great discomfort and inconvenience to travellers on the East and North rivers, The Brooklyn, Jersey and Staten Island ferry boats were somewhat in- terrupted m tbe regularity of their trips, The weather, generally speaking, was extremely un- pleasant, a mist continuing to fall all the day long, while mud and filth filled the sidewalks and carriageways, The fog also seriously interfered with the movements of vessels in the bay and up the East and North rivers. The Sound steamers Metropolis, City of New York and Commonwealth, all due bere at an early bour yesterday morning, did not arrive until three o'clock in the afternoon, being detained by the density of the fog. They probably will net leave again until it clears up. We bave not yot heard of any acoidents of a serious nature fo copsequencs of the difficult navigation. A vumber of disasters to the shipping’at various points along the Atlantic coast within the past few days are reported, Recruiting to fill our quote ander the last call of the President for three hundred thousand more soldiers is Progressing at the rooms‘o! the Supervisor's Volunteering Committee, in the City Hall Park, under the direction of the efficient and industrious Chairman. Applications for substitutes are numerous; but Mr. Blunt is able to accom- modate ali who prefer serving thor country by proxy to puttiog in an appearance in the ranks in their own pi persons. Over forty thousand dollars bave been already sub- scribed to the Farragut testimonial fund. The entire amount, one hundred thousand dollars, will no doubt be contributed before many @ays. The italian, Cancemi, who, it will be remombered; was convict:d of killing policeman Anderson some years ag», avd sentenced to a life long confinement in the State Prison, arrived in this city last Friday from Sing Sing, having been pardoned by Governor Seymour, The remains of our late Minister to France, Hon. Wm, L. Dayton, will arrive here from Havre on the steamship Lafayette, now about due. Arrangements bave been made to receive them in this city in a fitting manner. An informal meeting of the bar was beld at the Law Institute yesterlay to make arrangements for attending the funeral of William Curtis Noyes, which takes place this afternoon, at two o'clock, from the late residence of the deceased, in Fifth avenue, It was also resolved that & general meeting of the bar be held on Friday at noon, totake such action as the occasion demanded, anda committee of seven was appoiated to make the necessary arrangements The trial of the Opdyko. Weed libel suit was resumed at ten o’clook yesterday in the Supreme Court in this city. A bumber of witnesses were examined, when the death o! Mr. William Curtis Noyes was announced, and, after remarks by the Judge and members of tho bar, the case was ad ourned until ten o’cleck this morning. The preliminary examination of the editors of the Express for an alleged libel on Mr. Peter B. Sweeny, who was charged with recetving money from the Kepub licen State Committee to secure the election of Thomas J. Bare to Congress, was expected to take place before Recorder Hoffman yesterday. The parties appeared; but, on motion of one of tbe plaintiff's counsel, the investigation was pos'poned till the fourth Monday in January. Surrogate Tucker ‘‘kept Christmas’? on Monday by persisting in going on with the Lawrence will trial in spite of the disinclination of the half acore of learved counsel employed in the case, The trial was further con- tinued yesterday, and additional testimony taken on the disputed question—which bids fair to become cele. brated io the arnals of New York litigation—whether Abravam R. Lawrence was a bachelor or a married maa A commission was issued to Connecticut to tke the testimony of a witness there, under the condition that i be returned to the Surrogate today. There te sume toe ohne the trial will be terminated thie week. ‘The examination into the alleged lunacy case was re sumed yesterday in tho Brooklyn City Court, The Rev Henry Ward Beecher was piaced on the stand, and gave clear and direct testimony, to the effect that. the letters were addressed to him by some unkaown person, but that they contained pothing thit was morally or person- ally objectionable. He considéred the writer as a person who was ‘‘sprung,” or in other words ingane. The rest of the evidence, with letters accompaoying, form a lengthy report, full of interest in more ways than one. Jobn H. Foote, a shipwright, obtained a judgment against the Brooklyn City Railroad Company yesterday, in the Supreme Court, circuit, for eleven hundred dollars, in consequence of injuries sustained by being thrown from ove of the Fort Hamilton cars, through the care. essness of the driver. The plaintiff had one of his feet severely bruised and was confined to the house for eight weeks. The liquor dealers of this city have been greatly ex- cited within a few days by information that some of tho leading politicians here have concocted a plan to put the whole of them under republican infidence by having the bext Legisiature create a bureau with a class «f oiicors fully empowered by law to arrest, floe and imprison all persons selling liquor without a license under the present Excise law of this State. The reason the politicians offer for thie scheme is that io the Ninth ward of this city, out of three hundred and nice liquor men, ouly seven voted the republican ticket. This will give the re Publicans the perfect command of the rum interests of this city It is reported that Windsor, the alleged defaulting of the Mercantile Bank of this olty, bas been arrested in London. The Legislature of Missouri convened yesterday at Jefferson City. Temporary officers were chosen to both ym bers; but an adoarnment took piace before a petmanent organt zation had been effected, and a0 business of importance was tronsacted. Mr. Wendel! Phillips last evening delivered an address je audience at the Cooper Institute. His subject Reconstruction now is disgrace and disaster.’’ He reviewed General Panks’ plan for the readmission of Louisiana, severely covaemoing it, and‘expressed strong doubts of President Lincoln fully understanding the meaning and expectati ns of the people when they chose bim f second Presidential term to the receut election. The stock market was dull yesterday, with an im to | proving tendency, Government securities were quiet. | Gold was active, and, after opening at 214, closed at 216%. ‘Yesterday was almost as much a holiday—so far as Dusiness was concerned—as the day before. The military events occupy all the attention of the merchants, and if there were any disposition to operate, the large diffor- ence between the views of buyers and eellers would prove an effectual barrier. Scarcely any business was trans. acted, and val were entirely nominal. Cotton was altogether lower, as was petroleum, &c.; but prices were nominal. Oo 'Ubange the flour market was quiet, and fully 100. lower, Wheat was fully 6c. lower, with Dothing of moment doing. Corn and oate were dull aod pominally lower. Pork was more active and rather firmer, Beef was quiet and without decided change, while lard was lower, Freights were quiet. Whiskey firmer. ‘The market for beef cattle this week remains about the it was last week, The deprossing influence of ine weather and the large supplies of poultry being counterbalanced by the light receipts of cattle for the week. Holiday beeves sold at 22c. a 26c. per pound, and one choice pair brought $800, Sheep and lambs were a el off at some of the yards; but holiday offerings sold at $10 a $20 each. Hogs were rather lower—180. a 13%¢0* The total receipts were 4,787 beeves, 73 cows, 368 veals, 16,386 sheep and lambs, and 16,496 wont Tur Dienixaw ISHED Dean. It is is @ peculiarity of this world that there are epidemics of every- thing. We have bad epidemics of disease, epi- demics of fires and epidemics of crimes, and now we are having an epidemic of distinguished deaths, It began with the news of the sudden decease of Minister Dayton at Paris, and many artists, authors, astronomers, actors, lawyers, diplomats and other remarkable men have been numbered among its victims during the past few weeks, It is nota little singular that most of these victims died of apoplexy, paralysis or heart disease, which are but dif- ferent forms of the same complaint. Gemeral Lee on the Negre Soldier Ques. tien—The Richmond Negroes Running to Avoid the Draft. In support of an argument for the arming of the slaves of the Davis “confederacy” in the cause of Southern independence, one of the Richmond journals recently asserted that General Lee was in favor of the scheme, and that, such being the case, the question ought to be considered as finally settled. This state- ment, it now appears, was no random assertion; for a Richmond correspondent of the Liver- pool Courier, in letter to that journal of the 5th November, says he had been spending a day with General Lee, who, in a conversation upon {tbe subject, said, “I wish you to under- stand my views on this subject. I am favor- able to the use of our servants in the army. I think we can make better soldiers of them than Lincola can. He claims to have two hundred thousand of them in ‘his service. We can de- stroy the value of all such soldiers te him by using ours against them. I do not see why I should not have the use of such available ma- terial as well as be. I would hold out to them the certainty of freedom and a home when they shall have reodred efficient service. He has not given them a home, nor can he give them officers who can understand and manage them so well as we can.” This, then, is General Lee’s opinion. The writer in question further says that on the next day he had a conversation with the rebel Ad- jutant and Inspector General Cooper, who agreed with General Lee in bis views, and said, “I would not await the slow action of Legislatures on the subject. We*have already used them (negroes) in the place of soldiers as teamsters and in engineer service. We can use them in other ways. There is no reagon for delay. Let them be placed in the field, and give them freedom for faithful ser- vice to the State.” Tbe English reporter of these important facts next gives us the infor- mation that “the (Jeff. Davis) government bas inaugurated such’ a movement by making, during the present month (November), a draft of free and slave negroes, nominally for the erection of field works, é&c., but really to drill and prepare them for home defence. I travelled to Richmond in a t##in containing one or two carriages (oars) crowded with these drafted negroes.” So far, then, as Richmond and the adjacent country are concerned this question of levying apon the slave plantations for black soldiers to fight for “the confederacy” is settled. But how is it that General Lee has postponed so long this last resort of an appeal to Sambo, with tbe boon of emancipation, and why does he now 60 earnestly advocate this foolish experiment? It is because heretofore, though deprived of all his negroes at Arlington Heights and elsewhere, General Lee has atill clung to the fallacy that “Southern inde pendence” would be achieved without uproot- ing the institution of slavery in Old Virginia. Hence he has been opposed to any change in the old Southern status of the negro, aa a base and treacherous creature, not to be admitted even to the dignity of a negro soldier. But Gen. Lee has evidently become convinced that whatever may be the fate of slavery in the cotton States, the institution is doomed and is alfeady as good as gone in Virginia. There. fure, bike the fox that bed lost 01s tail, bo in lo favor of using negro slaves as soldiers, and with the boon of freedom and a free farm to beot sa their reward for faithful services, although the grand result may be the abolition of slavery throughout the South. What does be care for the other “Confederate States” if the institution for the perpetuity and extension of which they all plunged into this war is koocked in the head in Old Virginia. The trouble is, however, that the slaveholders im the cotton States, and some yet even in Vir- ginia, to the west of Richmond, where the war has not disturbed them, cannot see the subject in the game light in which it is viewed by Gen- eral Lee. They cannot understand what they are fighting for, if not for the maintenance of their rebel corner stone of slavery. They went into this rebellion to get rid of the Northern abolitionists, and to secure the insti tution of slavery against their dangerous aboli- tion agitations and designs. And what is this Southern confederacy to us, the Georgia plan- ter inquires, if we are to make it a confede- racy of free negroes? Would it not be cheaper to abandon the concern at once, if we are to give up slavery any how, and fall back into the Old Union, risking all the chances of Lincoln’s emancipation proclamations? And what right bas the Confederate government at Richmond to interfere at allyin this thing of slavery? Is it not purely a State institution? Are we to have not only emancipation forced upon us by Pres'- dent Davis and his obsequious Congress, but are we also to be called upon to surrender all the rights of the sovereign States to an absolute and remorseless central despotism? The difficulties suggested in these inquiries have prevented and will prevent any attempts to levy soldiers for Davis from the slave plan- tations of his confederacy beyond the imme- diate neighborhood of Richmond. But the strongest objection to any such scheme has just been developed ia General Sherman’s campaign through the State of Georgia’ He brought off with him some ten thousand able bodied slaves, voluntary and rejoicing follow- ers. He turned back, for lack of transporta- tion and subsistence, some thirty or forty thou- sand slaves anxious to follow bim to the end of his journey. Had he tried it, by simply in- viting them to come along, he might have brought off nineteen-twentieths of the slaves, big Ghd little, of the whole Btate of Georgia, by acircuitous march covering all the counties. The Southern slaveholders know all this. They know that Lincoln has the inside track on emancipation against Davis, and that the negroes e taken their position upon this question. Even in Richmond they appear to have no especial liking for the military service of Davis. The Sentinel—Jeff.’s rebel organ— says “a regular panic and stampede has taken place among the negroes of the city;” that considerable gangs of them have been running away, carrying their household goods along with them, and that “the cause of the stampede is the report that bas gotten abroad thatall the male negroes are to be put into the army.” This stampede shows that if the negro can at once obtain his liberty by running off, he is not going to remain and fight upon a mere promise of his freedom at the end of the war. The bare mention of the proposition is conclu- sive. The Davis confederacy is in the pangs of dissolution, and General Lee, in appoaiing to Cesar and Pompey, only betrays his hepe- less situation. Tue Sweeny-Brooxs Lipet Case.—The criml- nal suit for libel brought by Mr. Peter B. Sweeny against James and Erastus Brooks, of the Hepress, came up tefore Recorder Hoffman yesterday, but was postponed until January, 1865. It is perhaps better that the dirty linen of the republicans should be thoroughly wasbed by Weed and Opdyke before the dirty linen of the democrats is brought into court. The public could not endure two such trials at once with any pleasure. The steam from the hot water and the nofse of the mangles would be almost intolerable. But by the time that Weed and Opdyke are done work Messrs. Sweeny and Brooks will be ready to take the tubs and scrub away with pienty of elbow room. Brooks is, perhaps, a little anxious about his Congressional ventures and bis Clark suit, and has too much on bis hands already to turn washerwoman without a. brief delay for the fecessary preparations. Surgzrvison Biunt anp Tam Crrmens’ Asso- ciaTion.—We published: the other day a letter to Supervisor Blunt from the Citizens’ Associa. tion, asking if re were true that the Board of Supervisors had givep hita ‘@ present “of ‘fifty thousand dollars for saving the city from the draft, and the reply of Mr. Blunt, assuring the association that if they intended to give him a present, {nstead of the Supervisors, he would be happy to confer with them. It seéms that Mr. Blunt is regarded asthe strong republican candidate for Mayor at the next election, and the Citizens’ Association are anxious to get ahead of the Supervisors in presenting him with an appropriate testimonial. We object to this, upon the ground that, if Mr. Blunt is to be pre- sented with anything, it better come from the Supervisors. Our past experience of the Citizens’ Association convinces us that they mean to give him a great deal.. more. They went up to Albany to ‘Teduce our taxes, and increased them. They undertook to look after the cleaning of our streets, and our streets are dirtier than ever, because this association reduced the appropria- tion. Now, if they give Mr. Blunt a testimo- nial it will not be less than one hundred thou- sand dollars. Upon thissum Mr. Blunt will retire, and then we shall have a draft; and that will be the end of the interference of the Citizens’ Association. Tus New Yorx Reset Press.—We notice tha the rebel press of New York coincides with the rebel press of Richmond in declaring that the victorious march of Sherman, the de- feat of Hood and the capture of Savannah do not amount to anything. Indeed, the rebel press goes further, and agrees with Jeff. Davis that even if we take Wilmington and Richmond the rebellion will be, if anything, stronger than ever. We shall certainly try the exper'- ment and see how it refults. Perhaps the rebel press may be right, and the rebels will become more powerful tbe oftener they aré’ whipped and the more cities they lose ; but it is our candid opinion that when the last rebel seaport is captured, and tbe rebel! capital in our posses- sion, there will not be enough left of the rebel- lion for Jeff. Davis to pack inthis black valise when he runs away. We sball soon see which isright—the Henatn or the rebel press. THE ST. ALBANS RAIDERS, Capture of Three of the Robbers in New HRempshire After Eniisting fn theo Army, &c. Conconn, N. H , Dec. 27, 1864. ‘Three of the St. Albens ra ders made their escape from Capada by eecreting themselves in the cars until across the line. They theo proceeded to Lebanow, N. H., and enlisted, receiving the bounty, boping to get back to Dixie at Uncle Sam's expenss. They were, however, de- tected, and are now in ithe State prison at Concerd. A considerable amount of money was found ia thor posses. sion. Arrest of Anot! St. A Robber. Toronto, Deo. 27, 1864 Another owe of the St. Albans raiders was arrested bere to-day. The Op BENEFIT OF MADAM® 20cORT. Tellivi’s great and favorite opera of Norma was given atthe Academy fast night for the benefit of Madame Zucchi, The occasion was favored by just such «large and fasbionable attendance as we expected and as Macame 7ucchi’s merits derorve. When woray that ber reception was an ovation from beginning to ead, we hardly exaggerate the feoling manifested, not only to re. Peated applause, but in the entire appreciation of ber impersonation of tne part in action, look and failh'ul Teniering of the music. Her delinestion of the passions which enter into the character and story of the wrovged and still womanly Druidess were exceedingly - ro- minding us io many parsazes of Rachel transl passions of human into lyric inugoage. “1 the second and third wan superb. the inet. dents calling forth power which she xo eminently poaresses, ani bas never dixpinyed #0 effectively as sho did last night, The Norma of Zocchl has, wo think, rareiy been excelied on our stage. It is the best role io which she bas yos appeared: better (hae ber Paulina or Lucrezia, weaeee as she bas imier- sonated there two parts, which, liv with Norma, afford an opportunity for tho aisplay © those qualities which mark her exeellonce as an actress. There little fault to fad wit! was produced. Massim i gang remarkebiy well, Susini, as Orovese, was jo a part that suited bis ponderous voice, and he was aco rdingty felicitous All the (avorite morceau of tne opera were encored, and Mme Zuccht was repeatediy called out, ov each occasion to become the recipient of some floral tribute, ome of which—a beaut. ful wreath. A Presented to her in the first act, and ot another—a ot to her efter ihe delicious rendition of the duet tn third act, aod graciously accepted amid a storm of ap- Nanse. This is the first time that Mme. Zuechi sang jorms jo this country. and it je not surprising that she ‘was a little nervous and aoxtous im the first act: but the warmth of Lg bee mig Mg Dina apes @ in ber own soon dispelled al a the opera pro- poset ber success wan insured. We Lid to nee tbat Mr. Maretzek bes put Norma on the bil jo for Friday ight, the last of the seagon—and , we add, realiy the last; for there will be no matinee on Saturday, as the company leave for Boston early that morning. tae night the season positively closes, aod regret it. Cor. » “Taquescs. Tee Sova me Tweety extn Sraret—Domestio Trocms tHe Cavan. —Coroner Ranney yesterday held an inquest on the body of Mr. Dorephus Tuttle, the man who com mitted suicide on Sunday at 87 West Twenty-sixth street, as reported in yesterday's Henatn. During the infesti- gation 1% appeared that serious domestic difficulties Prompted Mr. Tuttle to termimate his unhappy b= Wd evidence showed that the do- consed been married some yoars ago; but three years since be exhibited to a Miss beeq aod the took place. Trouble aporred between Mr. Tuttle aed bis wife some months since, and latterly a lawyer of the city Informed Mrs. Tuttle that the alleged divorce papers which ber husband had sbown ber betore spurious; wh pon she rofused to longer recognize him as ber husband. ‘This determination on the Tattle led to fresb troubles with her part Mi husband, and be endeavored to convince ber that she bad been impored upon by the lawyer, but without offect. Quite recently Mrs. Tuttle took vj 87 West Twenty-sixth street, where ber bus visited ber frequentiy’or Jato, gutta ‘the view of grining ber consent to live with bim again; bot his Tuttle called on hie wile prom pt nogative response, stauding on the front rteps, that be should do some- thing which she would be sorry 4 at the fame time drawing a revolver from pocket, Fearing that he intended to shoot himeeit” Mi Tattle made an effort to take the pistot from him, but ovaded her, aod placing the murzle over the beft pulled the A ball was forced into his and death e wife of deceared keeps a tasbionab!c dresemaking and pattern establishment in Broadway, and also another to Onna! street. Fatat.y Boaipap.—Coroner Wildey yesterday held on foquent at No 431 Hudson atreet on the body of Joho A. Martin, a objid only ions Beng’ hee bomen A wn the result of sonlde rece! by the wpaottiog ofa ‘agate bad ottiog ‘w waler, Yee fork jury re. 4 ‘vordiot of '* Death (rom soalds aocidentayiy re. oorved.”” WILMINGTON. Furious Bombardment ef Fort Fisher on Saturday and - Sunday Last. Assault on the Rebel Works on Sunday Night. Reported Repulse of Our Forces with Considerable Loss. Our Troops Firmly Established Above the Fort,. hers ben he. Secretary Stanton to Major Geners! Dix. Was Deranruenr, f Wasumarow, Deo. 27—10 P. ML Major General Dix, New York:— The following extracts. from Richmond papers of to-day have been forwarded to the Department by General Grant:— Witamatom, N. C , Dec. 25, 1864. The enemy's fleot, over fifty vessels, including two Monitors, several armed vessels, and many heavily armed frizates and sloops of-war, made a furious attack qn Fort Fisher about one o'clock yesterday, and kept up an average fre of thirty shots per minute until night. Our loss is twenty-three wounded, The attack was renewed at ten o'clock this morning, ‘and bas been very furious and continuous. No report of casualties to-day, Colonel Lamb, who is in command of the fort, replied to the enemy’s fire slowly and doliber- ately. The enemy, under cover of the heavy fire, landed about three brigades, two and a haif miles above Fort Fisher. They were immediately engaged by a smaller force. The enemy held the ground at night, Wuaanaror, N. 0., Deo, 26, 1864. ‘The enemy's iofantry attacked Fort Fisher late last aight. They were repulsed with considerable iced. There was heavy rain aod wind during the night. Prisovers report the Twenty-fourth corps of the Yan- kee army present under Butler. ‘The above despatches are commented on as follows:— From our Wilmington despatches it will be seen that the Yankeo fleet attacked Fort Fisher about one o'clock P. M. om Saturday, and bombarded it beavily until nightfall, revewing the bombarameat at ten o'clock oo Sunday moruing, an4@ oontiauing it throughout the day; that under cover of the fire of the fleet the enemy landed an infantry force above Fort Fisber, which att-oked this fort on Sunday night and +’ns repulsed. Fort Fisher is situated on a sandspit on the right bank of the Cape Fear river, at its mouth, twenty miles below Wilmington. The enemy, we presume, reached their position above the fort, Bot by passiog up the river, where they would have been Obligod to run the gaantict of the guos both of Fisher and of Caswoll on the left bank, but by landing on the beach east of tbe mouath of Cape Foar river. The enemy having effected a lodgement above the fort is a serious matter. It will cost dowbie the force lo disindge him that would have prevented his landing. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Our Special Washington Despatch. Wasuixoton, Deo, ‘There later from Wilmington the militaty lines being agaio interrupted. It ts expected by the Department thata despatch boat will arrive in the course of the next twenty-four hours, with (ull aud authentic accounts of the fortunes of the expedition. PRELIMINARY OPERATIONS. The Press Despateh. On Boarp Staamer Santiago pa Cona, ‘Ory Braurorr, N. C., Dec. 4—P. M. In ordor to afford your readers a clearer conception of the operations of the ficet, and to correct some inaccura- cies incident upow the basty preparation of the letter which I sent you by tho pilot, off Cape Henry, I recapitu- Isto to some extent the description I bave given of the locality selected tor tho operations of the feet, and the Positions of the various vessels, as marked out upon the obart prepared for the occasion by order of Admiral Porter. THR POINT OF ATTACK. The main point of attack is Federal Point, the narrow strip of land which bounds the north side of New Inlet and forms a part of the east bank of Capo Fear river. Federal Point is held by a series of works, the possession of which will at once give us command of Cape Fear river and virtually close up the port of Wilmington, and by cutting olf Fort Caswell, which stands near the mouth of the river, render its possessian by the rebels no longer of any avail, Hence the importance of selecting New Tolet as the point of uttack The privcipat works commanding New Inlet are along the shore of Federal Point, the strongest being Fort Fisbor, a cavomated earthwork of great power, mount- fog, 1 is supposed, thirty-six heavy guns, some of them rifles, baving a range of over stands about two bundred lowiog the line of the shore in number, connected by rifle- Three of these batteries are casemated and two pen. The number of guns mounted in them is not kpown, but some of them are rifics of long range. Some three buvdred yards northwest of jermipus What is desicnated as of this line of batteries stan; Bat ts, doa! of great assistance to the makiok the iniet at night. The it for the parpose of which to throw piunging ht Monitors, should thoy ing batteries com! not only the main channel, but also the Swash channel, which runs close al ng the beach in @ northeast direo: tion, The tat stands about at the entranee of the Swasb channel. About two miles southenst from Fort Fi Yocke’s Island, which forme Inlet, ts another battery o! Fisher and tho « it works are evident! the position, and, Feaeral Point once in our hands, fare. wel to bi to bioekade i Tuning, at least so far as Wilmington is concerned. THE PLAN OF A TACK. Notwithstanding the evident strength of their oo, it in copfidently believed that oy cannot long wi the torrid) that can be brought to bear upon The combined armament of the fleet numbers fully five hundred and ninety-one guns, most of them of the largeat calibre, and carry ‘A woight | Of metal safe to say unpre. Canes in the sonals of naval warfare, At ieast two b oe can be brought to bear at one time upon fhree or four milos up the beach from Fort Fisher is a small water batiery called Half Moov fa\tery, Dumbering somo two or three guas, but doubtiess it can offer very little resistance, THR ORDER OF THR KAVA! ATTAOR. ‘The tron clad fleet, ied by the frigate Wonsides, and ied by the gunboats acting as thoir tenders, ‘Will appronod Fort Fieher from the oortheast, standing close in C4 in the Swash channel uatil iney come the depth of water will permit the Ironside, ‘oadside towards the fort, and the Monitors line, bows on, at convemiond distancen boaind In this position they will fre over the land rt ropanold. ‘The (rigates, sloopa-of. war and otaor larger vernain will move in shore, forming crescont shaped line of baitie About one mils from the forts, or as near to (be enemy's works o8 possible, and pour tbeir concentrated batterion inte the forte a ta Farragut. ur wooden actively preparing for this fight for som: “Ode 4a Ln Pad ’ “aplinver nettinas,” other oxpedienty, tw OMOLO the efficiency Of the v is and protect them and their crows, an far an possible, from the ¢ nomy's have been » and it ie hoped we “shalt oon fare another great aval victory to chronicle THR LAND FoROR, By a] the land force are under com- meee of F utioe, oom, of the Firet dtviston of cj Twenty: fifth ‘and Second division of the Twenty fourth corps, and are embarked on board the ‘ Wer Dosset, re idaho, gal Baltic, Haze, Empire Guy, Amiel Dupoat, Montaak, 'H. Livingston, Joba Rice, hight, Bes Beaufort, Eastern ‘aiseag, Ualled Sistas and otber vi bames not as- 8 follor are the regiments composing the fores, as far as st bord writing — Second division, Twenty-fourth corps, General Ames— ‘Third brigade—Oue Hu red and Sixty-ninth New York, Colonel Alden; Filteeoth New Yor jajor Waluth; Fourth New Bampehice, Captain Roberts; Thirteouh Indiana, First Brigade, Colonel Gurtis—One Hundred and Forty- second, Ons a snd Soventesauh, Oue Hundred and Forty secoad aod Third New York. Second brigade, Colonel Penny packer Forty seventh and Forty- y-omtn New York, and Seventy sixth and Ninety-se ‘tvapia, First division, os ny apes br! Me: ied E Wright—! Lon ‘Thirty-seveath ted poem aren ‘Tlted States colored regiment, Becond brigade, Colonel J. W. Ames—Fourth, Sixth, ‘Thirtiotn and Thirty-niath regiments, NEWS FROM HATTERAS. Terribie Expios: the Nerth C a Coast—Was It an Harthquak: the Blowing Up of a Huge Powder Magasine—The Severe Gale and its Subsidence, de. Nuwazan, Deo, 24, 1864. Agreat shook, like that of an earthquake, was dis tinotly felt here last night, about two o’clook, rocking the earth and rattting the windows in their places, sup- posed to be an gxplosion of great-magoitude on the coast below Beaufort, ae the @ound came frem that direction. Possibly a magazine exploded in a fort at Wilmington or Charteatoe, containing several hundred tous of powder. The gale which has prevailed for the past few daya eubsided last night, The sbippiog, which has been de- tained several days at Bosufort, will be able to depart today, Judge Advoeate Stackpolc has arrived from Fortress Monroe for the purpose of investigating important trauds connected with the recruiting of colored troops in this department. Damage to Shipping on the Coast, Batrimore, Dec, 27, 1864. A letter from Fortress Monroe, dated the 26th instant, ays that a heavy storm bas been provailing along the Coast for tho last few days, causing considerable damage to coasting schooners and other shipping. The schooner Sidney C. tyler, Cuptain Steelman, from Philadelphia for Port Roya!, and the schoovuer Mary Steadman, from New York with forage to Port Royal, put in here for a barbor this moroing—the formor in a badly Joaking condition, and tho latter with all ber sails except the jib blown away. The steamer D. B. Mount, which arrived bore to-day from Newbern, reports having passed a sunken schooner, apparently vew, bearing south by east from Hatteras light, on the z5th inst, Both masts wero standing. She ‘was judged to be about three hundred tons burden, Boston, Bec, 27, 1864, The echooner Ocean Belle, of Jonesboro, Me., from Newburg for Portamouth, N. H., with timber, went ashore lagt oigbt on Plumb Ialaod, near Newburyport. ‘The vessel isa total loss. Crow saved. The oargo may home Hiautanve, Dec. 27, 1864 ‘The three masted schooner Kate Bingham, of New York, Captain Plater, from New Orleans, with a cargo of flour, to Thomas Duoham, is ashore ou Wardell’s beach, ‘about one mile south of the Highlands. She bad Ave (eet of water im her at nine o'clcok OBSHQUIBS. The Death vf Willinm Curtis Noyes. MELTING OF 1HE BAR—ANKANGEMENTS. F TENDING THB FUNERAL OF DECEASED—P 1NGS IN THR LAW COURTS. Ap informal meeting of the bar was held at the Law Institute at noon yesterday for the purpose of making arravgements to attend the funeral of the jate William Cartis Noyes, Hon, Alexander Bradford acted as chairman on the oo oasion, and Charles L. Bonedict as secretary. Upon tak- ing the chair Mr. Bradford suggested that the meeting should be an informal one. at which arrangements should be made for a more extensive gathering of the bar, Mr. Kimball’ moved that a meeting of the bar be held at twelve o'clock on Friday. Agreed to, Stoughton thought alt members of the bar should have ample notice of the intended meeting. were scutes the meeting, and swan only proper ‘hat arnplo sont at ing, was only potice sbould be given them of the meeting The Chairman announced thst i. funeral of deceased: was to t Place at two o'clock today, and suggested shat the members of the bar ebould ‘atteod in a body, Stoughton moved that the members of the bar met &@ body at the bouse 0° deceared, tlt reed clock this afternoon, for the purpose of Atlond. tng the funeral. Agreed to, ir. Owens moved that a committee of seven be ap- pointed by the Chairman to make arrangements fore erga phe ns of the bar and to draw up & set of reso. lutions oe of the feelings of the ‘egal fraternity, “eree Co: ‘Chairman announced that the committee would consist of the — named gentiomen:—E. H. Owens, E. J. Stoughton, 8. P. Nash, Wm. M. Evarts, A.J. Vam- derpoo!, David Dudley Field and George T. Curtis, On motion, the meeting then adjourned, SUrRME COURT—ciRCUTT, Before Judge Leonard, Dao, 37—The death of Wm Curtis Lge! was the general thome of conversation among the members of tbe bar, aad universal regret was expressed at the oes the community had sustained in the demise of 50 omi- Bent a map, Mr. D. Marvin moved, as a mark of respect to the memory of deceased, that the court ro, He bad known Mr, Noyes as's lawyer, who bad o0 superior and few equals. Ju addition to bis merits acm also bad tbe reputation of being a useful citizen aud & true Christian. Mr. Nuyes was a member of the cele- Drated Peace Congress, which met in convention a Washingtou just prior to the breaking out of the revel lion, avd exerted alt tefluence to $ te for a high positio He was oo pure 8 aran to be vocesstul in politics, fis loss would be severely felt by the bag, Ube State and the nation baifer, ta rising to second the motion, sald jo asorded tia a melancholy pleasure, which words could toadequately express. A great man, and a good man, bad suddenly been called {rom their midst, Por- bays 00 min bad ever aypeared in the courts who had been #0 exci profession, The bar ta his demise, uod to the he Fo lawyers especially bis loss: would prove irreparable. ‘e was the friend of the young lawver, qud was ever to lend bimm a helping hand. Much might be eaid on ject: but the speaker thought a more appropriate oe. preseated, when more ol quent Hips them oulogy. 4 remarked Wuat he was deeply impresses with’ Se oneaneyet the occasion. The loss they had Sustained was no common ove --the bench, the bar, amd re alike ooncerned. Whee. the community generalty ever Mr, Noyes appeared in court he war carefully pre. pared and clear in the style of bis argumont. omy tb, derived valuable aid aud infor- mation from bis rema: fall of deep research who had the © mfldence of the Court as weil as the ber, Indeed, fow spoke of him except to admire bim Asa mark of respect to bis memory we will adjourn the court until tea o'clock to-morrow morning. SUPERIOR COURT — CHAMURRG, Before Judge Movcrief, Dao. 27.—In consequence of the sudden demise of Ir. William Curtie Noyes thie court adjourned without teans- eoting any business, ra ot James W. Wailack, Esq. James W. Wallnck, the veteran acter and manager, wan buried yesterday at Greenwood, The funoral was very quietly and. uoostentatiously managed—no: public am Bouncement of it having Deen made. Leading represen. tatives of the theatrical profession were present, aa@ ‘many gestiomen visited Mr. Wallaok's residence duriag the day, but there was no display whatever. ments fo Reception of the Remains of Minister Dayton. ‘Tho-remains of the Hon, Williama-L. Dayton, inte Minte- ter chithe United States ia France, are expected to. hera.as any moment, by the steamsbip Mafapetne, whem loft Havre on the 24th instaat, Collector Deaper bee sake charge of thearrangements for the pranor revep- Une of the remaing, and has ielegrapRed Le two authori. Mes for instructions on the yabject. Mr. Draper has re- awived the following letior trom Mr. John Bigelow, United States Consul at Paris:— ConsenaTs g¢ rie Unrrap State, Panis, Dee, 8, 1864 Simsow Daaren, Esq. , Caitector of the Port of Now Yor Daan Sin—Tho meinachoty tidings of the death of the Hon. Wm. 1, Dayton, lata Minister of the United States At this Court, have douhdiess reached you. The obsequien were publiely soleeanived at (he-American chapel io thie city on Twenday last. His remains will bo sent to the United States in charge of Mr. Jamos W. Brooks, Vice Conaul of the United States at Paris, on board the, Stormer Lafayette, which leaves Havre on Weduerday, the 1.4sm inet. They will be accompanied to tne oy avre) by reveral of our country people in Paris, who. WA) be Invited to constitute an escort for the occasion, \, profit by the only opportunity that will ofler befure the departure of the Lafayette to noti'y you of these tots, that in,concert with the friends of the family, win wii be vepes {o relation with you, you may make appropriate ‘ts for the ‘reception of the remaing,¢ the deosnsed, ‘and for their trausport to their (ings resting place in Now Jorsey. a am, doar sir, with gr@at respect, your obedient servan! JOHN WIGRLOW, United rates Consul. Baennvotrnt Bat.—The second 4 arqual ball of the J R- Aga novel cpature of the occasion & a jon ekater (rom Nea Jersey will anmnar on the his parlog exeves, at Irving fet,