The New York Herald Newspaper, February 13, 1865, Page 8

+ {nto an agreement with him to give a certain eum of mo. Yard ——— + + He .-- MOBILE. Intelligence Direct from the City. Its Fortifications and Other Defences. POSITIONS OF THE REBEL ARMY. CONDITION OF THE CITIZENS. Has the City Been Evacuated or Captured? &., &e., &e, According to appearances at the present date Mobile hes probably fallen into the hands of the Union army. ‘If it has not the probabilities are that the city is now fncirclod by a strong body of our forces, which must Ansuro its early and unconditional surrender. From a Feliable source, by way of New Orleans, we have ascer- tained the exact condition of things in Mobile, both mill- tary and c.vic, up to the 8th of Inst January. THE FORTIFICATIONS OF MO3ILK, Tic rebels have made active preparations in order to Yepel any attack which might be made by the Union army. A large circle of fortifications surround Mobile, Raving an extent of some nine mites, These fortifications commence about three miles from the city, on the Bay oad, and conclude by striking the depot of the Mobile ‘and Ohio Railroad. They aro all earthworks, and each fort mounts six or seven guns, nearly all thirty-two- Yound-rs, They are erected about three hundred yards ‘part, and number about forty. There are soveral mor- ‘tars attached to them, some throwing one hundred and twenty pound shcil. Six thousand troops manned the fortifications, all under command of Major General D. H. Maury. A ditch eight fect wide and five feet deep protects these forts from sudden attack. Previous to the war Mobile was surrounded by a thickly ‘wootted country, Now all those trees have been removed, €0 that an entirely level space exists where before encum- Drances and impediments were encountered at every step. Zo the northward of the city the whole country is an ‘entire marsh, which extends to a point called Three Mile ‘ereck, This state of soil renders it utterly impossible for ‘any body of men to march on the city in that direction. In the main ship channel, going up the bay, about two miles anda half from the city, sp'les have been sunk, which prevent tho ingress and-egress of vessels, Torpe- @oes are also placed there, and numerous accidents have ‘occurred in the sinking of these dangerous weapons, ‘Two water batteries have ulso been ereeted in the bay— ene within two miles of Choctaw Point, and another ‘within about eight miles. ‘he largest fortification is sup- ‘posed to be situated at the edge of the city on the railroad. This is also an earthwork, and carries vight guns of heavy ‘walibre. TROOPS IN AND AROUND HE CIT. Including the militia there were some nine thousand ‘troops in afd around Mobile. At Hall’s Mill there were three thousand cavalry, under command of Colonel Scott. At Dog river there were Baker's brigade of infantry and Ferzuson’s dismounted cavalry, numboring two thousand men, They carried two battorics of artillery, cons'sting of @ight pisces, The militia numbered two thousand. NAVAL PREPARATIONS. ‘There were three gunbeats at Mobile, which constitute ‘the naval defences of the city. These are commanded ‘By Commodore Fauvre. CONDITION OF THE INHABITANTS. Much suffering and want exist among the citizens of Mobile. This is owing principally to the great scarcity ef provisions and the onormous price charged for overy- thing. | The stores are all open, but havo few articles in them. They close every day at three o'clock, in order to give the employésan opportunity of drilling. Strict mili- tary discipline is enforced, and citizens are compelled te provide themselves with passes from the provost marshal, @t they are liatic to be arrested. Guards patrol tho ‘erecta, and continually watch tho movements of every person, so that the strictest surveillance is practised over the inhabitants, ARMY SUTPLIES. ‘Tho country in the vicinity of Mobilo is said to be quite fertile, and provisions are in daily over the Mobile ‘end Ohio and Montgomery railroads. The army 4s well ‘supplied with the necessaries of life; but thelr spirite ‘@re not as sanguine as might be required. Those six ‘housand troops are all veterans. Their disciptime is de- @oribed as perfect. WILL THE CITY SURRENDER, ‘The gencre! fecling in the city up to the 8th of Jenu- ery was that a stern defence would be made. General Maury had remarked that, even if the place were sur- rounded by & network of the Union army, he could still hold fast for at least two months. The rebel oommander, however, is confident that ft will be utterly impossible for our forces to gain such @ position as will enable them to surround the city, and, even-if they did, he boasts of eing able to oust them at pleasure and with heavy loss. But time will explain all, and no doubt accomplish @omewhat of a change in the opinions of the prophet ‘Maary. ‘TH PEOPLE'S SENTIMENTS. Ae to the sentiments of the citizens of Medile, whether ‘hey are Union or secession, it ix difficult at present to @etermine. When rebel bayonets aro at their throats it 4s impossible for them to give expression to loyal opinions. Buta far different state of affairs is predicted ‘when the Union banner floats vietoriously ever the walls ‘ef the city. Thousands, it is said, aro ready to throw eff the accursed yoke of military despotism which bas opt them dewn for solong atime, and return to the ‘protection of a government which they deserted. Again, ‘they are nearly all in favor of surrendering the city, This Y%e their private opinion; of course, publicly, they mast ‘Pear themselves.es true worshippers of Jem. avis. ‘THE COTTON IN MORITLE. ‘Thore are bute few bales of cotton in Mobile, and thia owned principally by the rebel government. No citizen has beon allowed to purchase cotton and bring it into the ety. In cases whore this course hag been pursued by private parties their property has been seized and confis- sated, This looks as if the rebels did not have very strong hopes of holding the city. In case of evacuation Mey do vot think it prudent to leave cotton after them for the benefit of Uncle Sam. Sas Tur CITY mvACUATED yREVIOUS TO Tu 10TH oF aaxvany ? Our news from Mobile dates on the 8th of January Brom reporte which reached us on Monday Inst, and @hich appeared in Tacwtny’s Hearn, it would appear Mat the city was evacuated ow or previous to the léth of January. The ordnaace, ammunition, provisions, &e., were being transported to Selma, and the inhabitants @ere fleeing for their lives in order to escape the whole. ale conscription then geing on. This report, ovr inform. nt nayy, might bo true, «ithough ¢herc was.no indication fo surrender or evacuation up to the 8th. Williamsburg City News. | Proviwn Menrver.—About two e’clock yesterday Morning & hooting MTMair occurred in Greenpoint which @ill probably prove fate!. Kk is alleged that a man gamed Francis Hill, residing cormer of Pagle street and Woion avenue, bad a difculty recently with a young @erman named Benry Jurgen, in « consequence of a eon- Pension by the dying wife of the former of an improper Mtimacy of long stoning with the latter, As soon ae Jurgen found his conduct wes known by Hill be abeented Iimself from bjs home, aod cvuld not be found, although @ Warrant was issued for Lis apprehension. Soon after mine o'clock on Saturday night, however, it is said, friends of the absent man called upon Hill and entered ey to prevent further proceedings, which ho expressed © Willingness w accept, A meeting between the two men ‘Was then agreed upon, and they met with some friends a store at the hour above named. Aft every thi peared a to be amicably J drow @ horse pistol, heavily loaded with shot, charged the contents Into the head of Jurgen, and ital beat him over the hoad with tho stock of the we The Injured man was conveyed to the Cl Hos- whore he lice in a senseles condition. He was ted yesterday by Coroner Barrett, who had Hill com- ‘od foy tho offener. It is further alleged that the as- some time since had hie wife taken from her sick and re Bellevue Hospital, New York, and or imontf we ~ 4 Mr. Hill ee hes con- well, nd was a member he Presbyte- Pausch a Greewpoiak oy NE THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY. Minnesota. ‘Tho constitutional amendment ebolishing slavery was ratified by both houses of the Minnesota Legislature on Ube bub sash Kansas. ‘The constitutional amendment was unanimously reti- fied by both houses of the Kansas Legislature on Febru- ary 8. Mie! PROCESDINGS IN THE LEGISLATURB. SENATE, Lanerxa, Feb; 2, 1868. ‘The Governor sent in & m« nouity the Senate of the e by the House of reeey ves of the ‘amendment to the constitution prohibiting slavery, and meenenting ‘the Legislature to take immediate ‘action reon. Mr, Crosweut offered a joint resolution ratifying the same. The Gay ward suspended and the jeter reselatien passed by the following vote:— ‘Yeas Messrs. ‘aldrieh, Par Childs, Collier, Crego, Croswell, Davis, Devine, Edseft, ‘oster, wier, Howell, Waves, Jerons Luce, Merrill, ‘Neveries, ‘Nims, Perrin, Wait cer—21. Nive—Messra Geateeg, 3 sa-*, ‘A meseage from the Senate was received transmitting ‘the joint reeebitone ratifying the amendment to the con- stitution of the UnitedStates. Me. Mowrox moved ite reference to the Committee on Federal Relations. Lost, 18 to 49. Mr. Brockway moved ‘a suspension of the rules, and the passage of the resolution. Adopted, 62 to 16. ‘The resolution was then passed by the vote: — Yeas—Meesrs. A. Allen, G. W. Barlow, Beach, Boles, Brockway, Caml Dunlap, Grecn, Haynes, M. D. Howard, 0. Jenness, Jewell, J. H. Jo ny, Lapham, Lewis, Morton, Munger, Nixot lips, Reed, Sanderson, Schars, 1 gmith, WT’ Smith, Stewart, Taylor, Thomas, Tub: Warner, Welch, Willets,’ Winzor, Wood- per, Van’ Vice mah, Woodruff Yawkee, Griswold. Nivs—Messrs. Bond, — Caldwell Duesseau, Forbor, Haire, May, McKernan, Mills, O'Grady, Pitts, ondell, ‘The preamble was adopted, 62 to 16, Messrs. M. D. Howard, Look and Morton voting in the negative on a portion of the preayabl PROCEEDINGS IN THE LEGISLATURE. ERNATR. ‘Warsuma, Feb. 2, 1865. Mr. Maxwut offered the following, which Iles over under the rules until to-morrow. ‘Whercas, the Senate and House of Representatatives of the United states of America in Congress assembled, by a concurrent vote of two-thirds of both houses, have roposed to the Legislatures of the soveral States the fol- lowing amendment to the constitution of the United States, to be classified as article thirteen of the amend- ment to said constitution, namely :— fears follows the amendment adopted by Congrosa) therefore, Resolved by thé ture of West Vir- ginia, that the said proposed atendment is hereby ratified, Fa. 3, 1865. On motion of Mr. Brows, the joint resolution offered yestorday by Mr. Maxwell, ratifying the constitutional Amendment for the abolishment of slavery in the United States, was taken up. Mr. Brown said:—Mr. President, 1am most heartily in favor of the joint resolution now before the “enate. What the emancipation proclamation of the President has not fully accomplished—what the sword and the cannon have fa'led as yet fully,to achieve, has been finally and constitutionally” affected by the silent and poten- tial voice of a free people, expressed through their re- pregentatives in Congress; and the act is mow submit to the representatives of the same people in the Legisla- tures of the several States for their final ratification. 1 sine rely trust that the resolution may be unanimously passed by tho Senate, and the voice of West Virginia be card amid the united and concurrent voices of her sister States, making this act a part of our glorious constitu. ton, Which, God grant, may remain the heritage of & free people forever. Mr. Harmonp said he thought the d action was premature, and moved to lay the resolution on the table. ‘Mr. BURLEY said he wanted to be away to-morrow, and was very anxious to vote upon this question; he there- fore hoped that the resolution would not bo tabled. As his health was bad, and he did not know when he might be absent, he hoped that he would to-day be allowed to discharge’a duty he Believed he owed to his God and his country by voting for the reeolution. Mr. Fannswortu was opposed to tabling. He preferred fixing a day next week, so that the author of the resolu- tion, Mr. Maxwell, might be present, and he was sure that gentleman desired to record his vote for the resolu- tion. Mr Haxsoxp remarked that he did not care specially about tabling the resolutton; he only wanted to get official notice from the Governor of the action of Con- gress. He withdrew the motion to table, and moved to refer to the Judiciary. = ‘Mr, Brown said that other States were acting; that wo bad the proposed amendment in corract form, even to ‘the dotting of an i or the crossing of at. Whon wo get ‘the official copy it will be precisely what we now have. Mr. Kircwex hoped the vote would now be taken. He would be away ina day or two, and while wo might ac- commodats some by postponing, we would disappoint others. Mr. Peck remarked that absent memberg could record their votes hereafter, He did not want our Senate to be the fifteenth or twentieth to adopt this amendment. ‘Three were ahead of us already. ‘The Presipent said there could be no objection to mem. bers recording their votes Mr, Farsswonsa replied that in that View of the case he would favor actién to-day, and he urged the members to give a unanimous vote in favor of the resolution. Mr, ATEI‘89N—I was yesterday in favor of postponing this resolution until we received through the Governor the official announcement that Congress had passed the Dill, and the President signed it; but I seo that other States are acting, and I am in favor of @ vote now. I don’t want West Virginia to be the last State toact. I semannios for thiz revolution to pass as speedily as pos- Ie. Mr. Haymonp said that a vote now would be disgrace- ful to the Governor. For his part he was for doing right, let other States do as they please. ‘The motion to commnit was rejected. Mr. Bowers called for the yeas and nays, and the call being sustained, the resolution was unanimously 5 Messrs, Maxwell and Wright were absent. Mr. Brown was d to inform the House of this action of the Senate. ‘The House bill for the abolishment of slavery in this State was taken up. Mr. Rarxoxp moved to amend tho bill seas to pay the owners for their slaves. ‘Mr. Burixy moved to limit the value to three hun- dred dollars. But both amendments were promptly rejected, the rules suspended and the bill passed by the folowing ‘vote: — . Yras—Messra. Atkinson, Bechtol, Bowen, Brown, Bar- dey Chambers, Corley, Dunbar, Farnsworth, Hawkins, Kitchen, Mahon, Peck, Phelps, Price, Black and Stoven- son (President)—-17. Nay—Mr. Hammond. Mr. ATKINS (sto voce)—Slavery is doad at last. Mr. Peck—Yes, and the smoke of its torment ascendeth up forever and.cver. HOUSE, A message from the Benate, by Mr. Brown, announced that that body had @ joirmt resolusion ratifying thre, ‘amendment to the constitation of the United States” abolishing slavery. i Mr. Avaxs moved to suspend the rules for.the purpose of concurring in the resolution. The motion adopted and the House, by.a unanimous vote, retifled the amend- ment. Ohio. PROCEEDINGS IN THR LEGISLATURE. ‘skNaTR Conumaos, Feb. 7, 1865, Upon the convening of the General Assembly this after- noon, the following message was reccived from the Gov- ernor:— Brate-or Ono, Executive DerartMent, Conumuvs, Feb. 3, 1865. To Tur GENERAL ASSEMBLY :— GexTLemeN—I have received from Washington, and tranamit you herewith, an official copy.of # joint resolu- tion wlopted by a two-thirds vote of the Congress of the Unitea States, ing an amendment te the federal constitution probibiting slavery or involuntary servitude in the United States, except forthe punishment of crime. The people ‘of the State of Ohio will cordially and prompily respond to this important change in the organic law, and you as their representatives will, [doubt hot, with equal cordiallty and promptuess ive legal ee and exprossion to their voice in this particular. he matt ris commended to your ay attention. Very respectfully, (OHN BROUGH. At the conclusion of the yey ag the Senate the fol- lowing resolution was offered by Mr. Howells:— Whereas, tho General Assembly bas received official Botification of the 6 by both houses.of the Thirty~ eighth Coegross of the United St at ite wecond ses- ston, of the following propasitian to amend the coustita- tion of the Hnited States, by a constitutional majority of two-thirds theroof, in the words following, to wit:— iets followe the amendment ae adopted by Congress olved, by the General Assembly of the State o! Ohio, That wo hereby ratify, in behalf of the State of Ohio, the above recited proposed t to the con- stitution of the United States, Resolved, also, That a certified copy of the forego ng gene and reeelution be forwarded by the Governor of hio to the President of the United States, wiih the ro- quest that be lay the same before gress. Thore wae & deposition to postpone action o@ the reso- Jution on account Of elim atiendance, and Mr. Howetrs moved to refer resolution and accompanying papers to the Committee on Foueral Relations, bi . O'CONNOR, (oem giving notice of his intention to us, the read- jution waaJaid on the table, Subsequently, other mombers arriving, on motion of- Mr. Jamison, the ruio was suspended go 88 to allow im- mediate action on the resolution. Mr. Wintsrt moved, as a substitute, the State rights plank of the Chicago plat orm. This, of course, was voted down, and the r.sel) tion adopted amid applause from members and citizens i, the galleries, The vote: Was ns follows — * Yuas—Measra, Batos, Connell, Cranor, Curtis, Devine, Kel, Mart,’ Howard, Howells, Hum: ison, ‘Martiv, jcBurney, Mac- ‘atton, Stahberry, Stevenson, phe he - all Union, «Menara, Converse, 4a dunes , Long, O'Conner and Willett-— WeNT—Mesere. Hall, Mi is, 4, al Union, |, Maginnis, Stanton and Wilson. HOUR, Conmmns, Feb, 8, 1965. In the Honge, thie aftornoon, the resolv “4 ft souls nasty tolakie ered Bas THE CITY OF MOBILE. Map Showing the Fortifications, Position of Rebel Troops, Water Batteries, Obstructions, &c., on the 8th of January, 1865. Wy W YORK HERALD, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1866. incessant passage of wagons along the beach and through the sand, Two wharves, for the benefit of Captains Lamb and Jones, the quartermaste? and commissary, at New Inlet, are in course of construction at Federal Point Dy working parties from the One Hundred and Seven- teenth New York and Fourth New Hampebire regiments, which have beem detached for duty at this post. The labor imposed upon these details is of no slight nature. | Difficulty of Travel in New Y. Every hour of the twenty-four is employed in lightering out the cargoes of the vessels which are continually ar- riving with stores of forage and subsistence. The means for doing this extensive work is very limited at present, and an unusual amount of hard labor devolves upon Ds everybody connected with the post, in Compan gd THE ciry RAILROADS AND FERRIE: the troops at the front. On the Fear side la the water is very shoal, #0 THE WEATHER. ‘draught vessels cannot approach the shore. A nar- row Joon) thich connects with Craig’s wharf, inthe |-8cemes om the Streets and o; rear of the army at the front, has been sjgked out for passage at high tide by the steamer Gefforal Howard, the Rivers. and in this way a great of the labor of transport across the sandy nie supplies spit ie economized, Spi Grivers, however, are busily engaged in putting up the requisite wharves, when the work of furnishing supplies to the front will go along more smoothly. BATTERY BUCHANAN has been put in complete repair for purposes either of defence or attack. WA @ very curious and in- nious meth of which it might be improper Oipeak more fully at nt, the spikes of the guns were removed without the slightest injury to the pieces, The spikes used by the rebels were rat-tail files. But is method they were extracted quite promptly and tablished their hospital at Smithville dur- ‘of our operations against Fort Fisher, 6 former place fell into our hands @ number of wounded were found in the hospital, who were taken THE sTORM BLSHWHERE bo, be, &e. ‘The snow storm which visited the city yesterday we one of the severest and most continuous that hai fallen this winter. It began at « very early hours] the morning, with the mercury down to twelve degrees so that when church going folks—especially those ¢ the feminine gender—arose to bedeck themselves fe the usual assemblage at morning service they were fo ‘the most part sadly disconcerted and disappointed. Som ‘STALLOF MILES F v 2 3 yy 5 WATERS—SO 1S0.N.¥- the special order, Mr. Bren offered the Virginia Slave Code resolution as @ substitute, which was voted down— yeas 11, nays 50. Several hes were then made anys ‘the resolution, which the majority treated with jent contempt. ‘The vote being taken on the adoption of the resolution, resulted yens 68, nays 18, as follows:— Those ‘who voted in the affirmative were-:—Moessrs, Allison, Ayres, Babcock, Bidwell, Branchman, Brivker- hoff, Clark, Cochrane, wonport, Dawson, Delano, De- ford, D len, Evans of Brown; ae . of Clinton; verett, Ferrell, Fo ree, Gal lover, Green of Taraiiten; “Guvenult terlaone Hayden,’ Hixon, be Hoover, Huston, Johnston of Athens; Johnson of Lawrence; 'Johuson’ of Summit; Keysor, of Noble, Kibbeo, Kirby, Knelend, Lindsley, Little, ’ Lockwood, Long, Lyon, MeGiil, McIntyre, Messenger, Miller, Odlin, Purcell, Randall, Reber, Soot, heott, Seig, Spabr, Thomp- son, Warner, Wate ‘est. Those who voted in the negative were:—Messrs. Beer, Desbach, Edwards, Estill, Fielding, Hibbs, Jones, Kyser of Monroe; Putnam, Thornhill. The votes inthe affirmative are all Union men, and those in the negative all democrats. There were twenty.seven members absent, most of whom are Union. New Jerscy. PROCEEDINGS IN THE LEGISLATURE. SENATE. Tasxrox, Feb. 7, 1868. A. message was received from tho Governor stating that he had received from the United States Secretary of State notice of the adoption of the constitutional amendment, and asking the action of the Legislature upon it. Mr. Cuanpier moved the reference of the latter mos- to the Committee on Federal Relations. ir. Buckury seconded the motion. Mr. Scovet said—I am in favor of immediate action wpon this message, and move that the Committee on Federal Relations be requested to report on Thursday this amendment to the constitution which hae passed oth houses of he ye have had four years in which to reflect on this Keston now let us act. Mr. Ranporrn, as chairman of the Committee on Fod- ‘ral Relations, said he Cheught this motion was unusual. ‘The subject was the most important one that would come vefore committee, and they should baye time to consider it, Because the Senator from Camden had o —_ h to deliver was mot a aufficiont reasen for hasty action. Mr. Bucktxy said that the Committee on Federal Rola- tions was a joint committee, ang tho Senate had no right to instruct the House portion of It. Mr. Soover sald these resolutions were of interest to all, and as the representatives of tho people of the State it becomes us to act upon them, and at once. He had hoard that there was aplan by which these resolutions were tobe referred to the ovnmittco and keep them there until after the 4th of March. ‘Mr. Ranpouen said the Senator from Camden had hts hobbies, and thie was one of them, and ho did noi think it proper to act with undue haste, merely to enable Mr. to gratify his peauliar taste, Mr. Sopvsi, in avewer said: Tam told by the Senator from Passaic that the Committee on Federal Relations will act u «these -resolutions, When? Sir, the Com- mittee on Federal Relations is the grave of good resolu- tions. WhatI desire, and what every citizen of New Jersey and of the country desires, is that we make bold, open and determined warfare on slavery—the common enemy. Gentlemen on the other side toll me that slavery is dead. Very well, gentlemen; but what I ob- ject to is that the men of New Jersey, who say that hu- man bondage is ordained of God, now come to bury slavery th ua, but they want to be a for attending the funeral, ‘To this I And I om informed on the best authority, that a promise bas beon made by the vower which holds New Jersey in the hollow of its hand that three demo- crate, a little weak in the knees, will vote for a republi- can United States Senator for this constitutional amendment against slavery. Come of, gentlemen, and vote with us, I will welcome you with open agma. But Delays are dangerous. Every man in this State aud in the ‘te knows where I am en this and all questions, and that I am neither a timid friend nor a eus- picious foe. I have not, I cannot have, = quarrel with the Senator from Passaic, whose virtues I respect; and when I say the Committee on Féteral Relations is in tho grave of good resolutions there is no tmputation intended inst Lim, or against the Senators from Bergen or ‘udson I am for short, sharp and decisive action on this here ony and no Senator doubts my motives. Mr. ey — tod een cdg antnd was posed of an equal number of gentlemen par. fee. Mr. Scovel had made charges which are totally unfounded, and he was unwilling to sit still and have imputations cast upon him without acting in self-detence, Ho had been a member of that committee ever since bo entered the Senate, and he denied the charge that it had ‘ever been the grave of any resolutions. Mr. Scover explained his remarks. Mr. Bucktxy said thie was not the first time Mr. Scovel had made charges and then explained them away or all] out of them. . SoovEL moved that the committee be instructed to report on the resolutions on Thursday. Lost. he motion te refer (0 th. Committee on Foderal Rela- tions was agreed to. ASSEMBLY. ‘A message waa recaived from the Governor, communi- cating to the House the official information, received from the Preeident, of the amendment to the constitu- tion, submitted to’ the several States by two-thirds of both hovses of Congress. The Governor makes no recom. imendation, but submits the question to the Legislature for its action. ‘On motion of Mr, Tayton, the message was referred to the Committee on Federal Relations. Another Gallant Naval OMicer. TO THE EDITOR OF THK HERALD. Brooxryn, Feb. 8, 1865. Shortly after the first bombardment of Fort Fisher I read in your valuable paper a communication, from one of your correspondents, describing a reconnoisance in bouts into New Inlet, under command of the brave Curh- ing, in which an officer, in charge of one of the Tacony’s boate, is mentioned as excecding in daring on this occasion even Cushing himerl; but your eor- —— was unable to give the name of this brave ofliver. It gives mo plensure to be able to furnish his name. Acting Master Rudolph Sommers, of the United States atoamet Tecony, on the occasion referred to, sueceeded in pounding the Olannelé while dragging for torpedoes through New Inlet toa po'nt beyond the famous Mound battery, sul the time undera very heavy fire from the rebel battories, his Jagetafl being shot away three times, and each: (ime recovered and waved in face of the enemy. On his retore pat there batteries his boat was out inte fragments by a slot, ¥ hich took off both the legs of one of his brave crow. Whilo in the water and clinging to the abattered boat, Mr. Somers sustained thik poop fellow aud Bouwd up the stumps of his fogs to check the flow of Dlood, saved lus flag and coutinged to cheer his men, stiff undor fire, until rescued by a voat belonging to the Sassacus, This is but one of very many brave acts of Acting Maater Somimere—an officos of very modest bear. ing, full of generous impulses sud entuusiastio in bis Jove for the noble old fg, under which i has been our blesged privilege to fight for the integrity of our beloved country. W. 8 H Court Catendar=This Day. Serres Covnt—lmcrit,- = Oourt opens at ten o'clock A. M.—No#. 895, 675, 925, 940, #81, 997, 907, 067, 1017, 1011, 909, 447, 1045, 1087, 1040, Lodadg, 1051, 1065, base) Ts Part 3 e C gt o'clock A, , 556, 650, 560, 662, Bvt |, 866, 868, 674, 120 , 798, (007, 693, 11, BRD, LOdL, 672, 596. Commox Covrr—TRAL Tena. rt pane 98, TR, 621, 928, #27, 820, 400, HL, 800, 102, T8P, 740, 76, 61 art 4—Noa ee 684, 488, 310, 70, 053, O87, B17, 494, 628, 42, 042, Dog. RIVER BAR WILMINGTON.’ Inspection of the Cape Fear River Defences. The Capture of the Blockade Runner Blenheim and Beaching of Another. The Gunboat Shawmut Engages Fort Anderson, &., &e., &. Mr. James C. Fitzpatrick’s Despatches. Four Fienen, N. C., Feb. 1, 1865. INSPECTION OF THE CAPE FEAR DEFENCES. Yesterday morning Major General Barnard, Brevet Brigadier General Comstock and Lieutenant Colonel Por- ter, of General Grant's staff, accompanied by Commodore Rogers, of the Dictator; Captain Harris, of the Alleghany Arsenal, and other gentlemen, made a tour of inspection of the works recently held by the enemy and intended for the defence of Cape Fear river. The party took pas- sage on the steamor C. W. Thomas, Captain Doane, and firet visited the works at Smith Island, or Bald Head. Forts Caswell and Campbell were next inspected, where ‘unlimitable evidence was afforded of the energy and in- dustry with which the rebels labored to render the river secure against our entrance. Those of the regular army whe remember Fort Caswell before the war would hardly recognize it in tke vast mounds of sand and turf with which it is now surrounded and strengthened. The party returned to Genofal Terry’s headquarters at alate hour in the evening. NAVAL MATTERS, Admiral Porter's flect is still here in strong force await- ‘ing tho signal to advance up the river. At present the flect is anchored in the shape of a letter U, enclosing the ninsula on which Fort Fisherand the army ate lecated, ‘he outside of this line is held by the Montgomery, Cap- tain Dunn, which is abreast of the-enemy’s position on the beach, and finds occasional employment in shelling the rebel scouting parties which Sa oa from above. ‘The inside of the line is hold by the Monitor Mentank, which come ras within two thousand two hun- dred yards of Fort Anderson, on the Cape Fear, and fired a few shots without eliciting any response. PORT ANDERSON, Fort Anderson is en the right bank of the river, nearly opposite our infantry picket line, and {sa strong work, defended by some fifteen hundred troope. Deseriers re- port that the rebels have planted a Jargemumber of tor- pedoes in the channel Just below tt, so that an attack Will have to be accompanied by the risk attending the ex- plosion of these infernal machines. The rebels ure very qatot {ngide the fort and fire but seldom, Its armament is said to consist of nine thirty-two’s aud two heavy Par- rott's or Whitworth’s. NRW INLET GCARDSOTP—MLOCK ADE RUNNBRS. ‘The guardship at the New Inlet entrance is the bteamor Fort Donelson, which made a prize a few nights since of the blockade ranner Blenheim. The Blenheim came tn with the tide toward daylight, unconscious of our porses- sion of the place, and anchored under the “Monnd,” where, despite her English fag, she was ‘‘gobbled”’ noxt ore mi ‘by @ prize orew. Another bi le runner w shed near Fort Campbell, inside the western bar. The Naneemond is engaged in gotting her eargo, and there is &® probability that she may be saved. APFAIRS AT FRDURAI PCLNT. a: The new wharl, s0 urgently needed, yt Federal Poivt, is in course of rapid construction by Colonel Dodge. . Captatn Lamb, lately stationed at Jones’ Taading, on the James river, bas been appoluted post quarterma-ter at Federal Point. Font Fisum, N. ©., Feb. 2, 1865. ‘TUB EHAWMUT OPENS ON FORT ANDERSON, The ganboat Shawmut yesterday afternoon advanced from her anchorage with the main body of the ficet in the river, and took up @ position near Fort Anderson, | upon which, and the shore opposite, she opened with » hundred-ponnder rifle. She dred a number of shots, but the enemy remained perfectly roticont, Their failure to respond during the past few days, has given rise to the impression that they have withdrawn ir heavy guns from the fort and left only the torpedoes to oppose our advance. ‘TRE TORPEDO EYSTEM IN CAPE FRAR RIVER. A deserter represents the arrangement of those torpe- doos ua very complete, They are planted at frequent intervals in the channel below Orton Point Lighthouse, and are connected with galvanic batteries on shore. ‘THR WHEREABOUTS OF THR RNEMY. Deserters from Hoke’s lines report a very amall force in front of our infantry line, and that the main force of the enemy is near Wilmington. Weather clear and beautiful, Supplies are asriving much to the delight of the soldiers. Fort Fister, N. C.,.Feb. 8, 1865, Affairs remain in a comparatively quiet state. General Payne's pickets occasionally exchange a shot with the rebels, and the gunboats with Fort Anderson. MYSTERIOU! PROCEEDINGS IN CAPE FEAR RIVER, A fow nights since Captain Marston, of the steamer General Howard, discovered a smail boat in the river near tho warehouse pier. He hailed her, but failing to get any response, fired a shot, when she retreated toward the opposite shore. Soon after he overhauled « boat: under the same suspicious circumetances, and not re- ceiving any auswor to his challenge, fired several shote, when pursuit was taken up by a small boat from the navy. The mysterious craft, however, made her escape again, It is supposed that these boats come from Price's creek, on the opposite shore of Cape Fear river, ‘with the iutention of planting torpedoes in the channe' between Fedoral Point and the gunboat fleet. Admiral Porter has taken steps to prevent mischief arising from this source, and a system of countersigns has been ar. ranged, by which our own small boats may be known at Bight Th paawing through the fleet, and the rebel boats letected FORT ANDERSON. ‘ort Anderson last night e@ un. mistakable evidence that our ayaploions of its abandon- mont by the enemy have been without foundation. Its vicinity was iilum/nated by innumerable campfires, show- ing that it is not only garrisoned still, but supported by a large force of jnfantry—some two thousand five hundred, according to the report of recent deserters. The appearance ot The peninsula around Fort Fisher is fast assuming the appearance of a buay seaport town, what with the in- sumerable huis aud tents prected by ous troops and the there after the first attack. Dr. Barnes, Medical Director, intends sending these men North as soon as transporta- tion can be provided, SMITOVILER ig a very pretty little town, half seaport and half rusti situated ae mainland, opposite Smith’s Island, % thas been determined to intrench it for a military post, ‘and as the hospitals would bein danger in case of an attack by the rebels, it has been deemed dest to eond the wounded away. ‘We bave been somewhat disappointed in not catching more blockade runnera, The lights on Bald Head and Federal Point have been regularly lit every night, but the decoy has been in vain. The Blenheim was the last of these victims who misplaced their confidence in the impregnabitity of Fort Fisher. ‘As I close my letter to catch the steamer our gunboats have opened on the woods beyond our frontline, Per- haps the enemy are advancing to feel us. Forr Fisuer, N. C., Feb. 8, 1865. CAPTURE OF A MATE AND THRER SAILORS OF THE GUNDOAT ogceoLa. On Sunday last, while a party of men, under the super- intendence of Captain Ainsworth, harbor master, were en- gaged on the opposite shore of the Cape Fear, getting out timber for the wharves at Federal Point, a descent was made upon them by the enemy, who captured seven. The rest made their way to the boats and escaped, Among the prisoners are the mate of the schooner Mary Elli, and three sailors from the gunboat Osceola, ‘Aseyere northeasterly gale, accompanied with a cold, drenching rain, prevailed on Monday and Tuesday. Ag| number of boais got adrift and many vessels dragged their anchors, but otherwise no damage resulted. Thero isa perfect dearth in the way of news at the front, where the pickets keep up the usual monotonously hostile demonstrations. Our gunboats occasionally fire ashot at Fort Anderson, or shell the woods where the rebels are in position, Mr. Homer Merrell’s Despatch. Suarnvinee, N. C., Feb. 8, 1865. ADIONISTERING THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE 10 CIUIZLNS. Major Pierce, Provost Marshal General of the expedi- tionary forces, is this morning administering the oath of allogiance to such of the citizens of this place as aro anxious to remain under the protection of the Union forces. The town is docidedly loyal, very few refusing to take the oath. All who do not will be sent outside of the lines. The pl: of the place, the ladies in particu- Jar, iu writing to their friends South, express themselves vory tnuch pleased with the treatment (hey have re- ceived at the Hands of. the Union officers and soldiers since their occupation of the town. It is much better, they say, than they received from their would-be friends, AVEAIRS IN WILMINGTON, Deserters from the rebel army who come in from Wil- mington report that the greatest excitement prevails in that place; that the merchauts and business men have susponded operations, and only those who are fortunate enough to have in their possession greenbacks or gold are able to purchase the necessaries of life. ‘Sevoral ladies were yesterday passed through the lines to go south, we permission of Licutenant Colonel Birney, sommander of the post. They were mostly wives of Dlockade runnera, who had left their homes on the ap- proach of our army. REORUITING NEGROES, Officers of colored regiments are now recruiting for their commanda, and are meeting with great success. Several steam saw mills which the cnemy did not suc- ceed in destroying before they skedaddled are sawing out lumber for the wharves which are being built at Ft Point forthe use of the Quartermaster’s Department. Everything is still quiet. The Standard Bearer of Bell's Brigade at Fort Fisher. 0 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. " Fort Frensn, Jan. 26, 1865, In a Jate number of the Herato I porovive a list of the killed amd wounded at tho Fort Fisher charge, in which is ¢he name of Peirce J. Butler, Com- pany K, Fourth Massachusetts cavairy. This noble sol- dier carried the flag of General Bell's brigade, and took a very conspicuous part in the fight, encouraging the men of the brigade by carrying the flag right at the (rout and in the hottost of the fire. Isaw him atone time with his fag panies, onthe top of the parapet of the fifth Ine which we carried, loading and firing hig revolver ag best he ceuld in such a place. Later in the evening I ‘was pained to hear that the noble young fellow was shot inthe neck, and seriously, though not dangerously, wound:d. He fell{rom the parapet, but still retaini hold of the flag, and refusing to give it up, it was k to his care during the rect of the fight. Since the baitle he has been sent to the hospital—I think to one of the New York hospitals, 1 am informed that be has a father, mother and brothers and sisters livingin New York; and that he is married, pang # Boston, Massachusetts, By inserting this in the Hsxarp you will obli av-old soldier who loves to see praise go where ig deserved. AN OLD SOLDIER OF BELL'S BRIGADE. Photography a Detective. TO THE KDITOR OF THE HBRALD. Aso matter of information to your many readers I wish to romark that ag the dark retina of the eye lies in the interior, and is entirely invisible, so any image scen in the eye is due to the reflection of the outer sur- face or cornea, and that when taking an enlarged photo- ph of it these images may always be seen in the print. hose are simply the images of the objec jected at the time and place when and where the picture is taken. T had once the image of myself and apparatus vistble In an onlarged daguerreotype of a living ove, and {t ts, in- dood, difficult to ph an eye at all without ob- taining such reflocted images. The human face seen in the photographed eye of the murdered woman in Florence was (if really @ buman face), undoubtedly the image of the artist's own face when be took the picture. In a living eye the image is @ rfect likeness. a dead oye this image is, by the col- of tho cornea, either destroyed or at koast distorted ‘and Imperfect, and caunot be recognized. ‘When we take into account all the conditions neces. it image of any object, it ap- t persons aré found who have any po + Leming that the eye of fa co person ‘bly contain any permanent visible picture. Probably the Lape of tho idea strikes and picases the imagination of many; but all belief in it ie destroyed when tested by the true philosophy of facts and experi- Pi. VANDER WEYDE, M.D. Professor of Industrial Science. DORs, POROUS PLABTERS. ae ve Catsrrh, dyspepsia and pains in the chost are benefited, and nsuall; cured, by poem Biasier'on ihe back, below the shoulders, and one opposite, ‘hey cause NO inooriventence whatever, ' Recommeyded by medical men re. Office 24 Canal, pirect. by all druggists. DAN BE_OURED. Ces MPTIO) . K:—Daar Sin—Several months since T was Dr. SCHEN compelled to relinquish active business pursuits in conse- quence of & severe cough, contracted by exposure. 1, placed thyself under the treatment of my family physician for time Without apparent rellef, and he finally pronounced my. lunge diseased, assuring me that It was useless to scek relief from medicines. He informed me that the only means by which my diseage could be overcome was by seeking, throug! filmuating food and proper care to rein: igurate my ayste that, If there was sufiicient vigor left, I might thufrogain health; otherwise my case was hopeless. At that tims I was rapidly failing, and many of my friends thought I was b ond all My congh was vory severe, sometimes lasth ‘or nearly half an hour ata time, with a ih copious expec. toration, often necompanied with blood. My appetite, wae very poor, and my ‘stomach so extremely weak th scarcely ent any food without belng compelled to vomit im- mediately thereafter. ‘After consulting varions phyntota thout snoeass, friend advised me to giv yar ‘medicines rial. In aovor ‘ance with this advice I visited you, and the examination w der your Reapirometer proved very satisfactory, convincing me that you understood my case perfectly. [entered uy the treatment preser/bed, and in a short time round great re- Hof. Tam now enjoying greatly. im th, my cough troubles me very Nule, my appetite is good, and my streng! dually inereai wie attord ‘afure to make this ackowledgment of the benefits [ have derived from the use of your icines, as well ae to express my gratitude therefor; and I freely make ihisstaternent, whieh you are at lborty to use as you deom proper, ‘with the sincere hope that it may be mea of benefitting others who may be suffering from the same ngaao, Yours, respectfully, 8. G. BAXTER. of busine ‘Market slip, New York. De SCHEN be aU his rooms, 82 Bon ness, CK will Tuesday, from 9A. M. until |. OF give advice to thote who se for advi his res) look P.M, to 1 to call apon but for s through exainina- frometer hie charge is threo ‘no cba him. He make tlon of the lunge wit dollars. Price for the Pulmonio Syrup and Seaweed Tonto, eagh dozen 1 60 per bottle; 7 80 the Pet wr two bott f fia ‘one of Tonle for $8 75; : opel i Ha ills 28 conte per Demas, Barnes , 21 Park row, Whdiecale . , A ua Bet hie medicine can be ol ed at Sd Bond ‘at al 5 ORNS, BUNTONS AMD BAD NAILS CURED wiTH- ‘out pain, by Dr. RICE, Rowety, Ghisene Nagi, ts Teens Poe Thitblatu, frosted young ladies who had new dresses and “loves of bon | nets” ready at hand to ‘‘disport in the sunshine,” wer inclined to be rather angry with the clerk of the weath¢ for thus taking them by surprise, and so pouted an vowed that they would not go out; but the older heads- veterans of a thousand storms, who would not be deter: red from going to church even though a deluge were raig ing upon the earth, and the ark were the only place ope! for prayers, with Noah officiating—quietly buckled their cloaks and overshoes, and resolutely went out int the storm. With the snow it is easy enougl to contend when it silently and sadly falls, coverin| pavement, tree and spire with ite feathery flak« But it was mot se easy to manage the snow yesterda, with the strong wind that prevailed, blowing it into one’ face and eyes with great force and violence. In places the fury of the wind gent the snow flying abou the corners of the streets in wreaths and spiral columns | leaving some parts of the pavement perfectly clean, an | forming hillocks in other places too deep and compact & | admit of travellers getting through without much dif culty. Overcoats and umbrellas were in great requi tion; but the latter were of precious little uso to thos who possessed them, as the wind played all kinds o pranks and feats with them, bursting whalebones breaking handles, and in many cases blowing the whol, contrivance inside out—literally into # copked bat, THE @ITY RAILROADS. ‘Travelling on the city railroads was no joke. The c wore all crowded, damp and disagreeable, All the line had double teams to pull through impediments; but, af was observed by # gentleman, it wasas woll to travel in the snow as in the cars for the drift was so strong th the passengers were all covered with» fine dry sprit ling of snow, looking like so many sugar-coated plu cakes when they got to the end of their trip. The snow) ploughs were all out, and the employés of the roads wen!’ to work busily with their horses to clear the track. nl this,they found abundant occupation. Fortunately the poor stage hacks, they were off duty yesterday, their hides would have been most unmereifully b in their course along Broadway. That blessing is in serve for them to-day, and, unless the street n step in to save them, they will be at the mercy of un promising Jehus, The churchee, both in this city and Brooklyn, were sparsely attended. The Rev. Dismal Grow] held forth ty a small but select audience; but, as if in defiance of th weather, to an unusual length. Collections were small and unsatisfactory. On thelr returm home wind made great frolic with the ladies, distorting hoops and driving them in zigzag lines along the sno ‘It was curious to watch ‘the footpaths made by the pedestrians through the snow, reminding us very mu of the straight lines formed by raw militiamesi on p THE BROOKLYN FERRIES. ‘The effect of the continuous storm on the navigation the river has been varying with the changes of the t and wind, As itis said, ‘time changes and we ¢ ‘with it;” so speculation changed with the numerous vellers between the two cities, as homeward. Brooklynites dilated upon the probabilities of weather, as to whether we should have an ice-bound, passable river on the morrow, and thelr consequent fay niente at pleasant homes, rarely enjoyed for a whole aay Evening after evening the appearances were in favor buch a consummation; but high tides and deep cutting, ferryboats, constantly plying, disappointed the hopes o* many whom the state of the weather could mon) easily affect in this regard than the state 0) the stock or ‘ile market. But once—and that! during Friday night last—were the boats unabk! to clear their way through the massed and station; ary jcc that blocked the navigation of the South an Hamilton avenue forries, On that night all communica! tion between the respective ferries, on either side at thes points was closed, which caused belated: pater familiar! and younger branches not under pater care at the time, to make tracks for the Fuiton ferry, and occasiones maay anxious hours to watchora for the return 0! all of these tardy absenteos. But the weather, the severest and most continuous experienced for many years, culminated ina snow equall, which, commencing during Saturday night, raged throughout the groater par, of yeaterday with increasing violence, and only began & moderate when the old snow king himself got se ‘‘blown’’ that he could not keep it up any longer. The Hamiltor avenu and South ferry boats, running on short time, fought out the storm boldly, waking the trip in good time—sometimes struggling in the teeth of the hurricane, again making a plunge from a sudden blast striking ‘behind, and again forced to rcol from blow on right or left flank; for the hurricane blew from every quarter, and, after the style of the robol tactics, changed its ohjec- tive point after every repulse. Intercourse during yester- day was very much interrupted between the two olties, the blind drifting bail whirling, eddying, and beating through the air, intimidating all whose business was not, most pressing from venturing outside their doors, The facene on the river was most gloomy. Near shore along the wharves the tall masts of the shipping appeared a6 times through the murky air like phantoms stationary, and sad, while the ferrybouts, occasionally seem hurrying through the gloom, looked like mighty) Charon boats coming for their interminable freight, of expectant phantoms. ‘Large flakes of ica were occm sionally to be met with in the stream, but they were few; the strong winds, the high tide and the furious waves, all combined, being too much for the picturesque- ness of the river, as it appeared but the day before, and the stray flakes were either dissevered into atoms ov made to seek the picturesque in milder waters. Over the storm of waves, above the shrieking of the wind an@ through the blinding atmosphere, wera heard and seem great flocks of seagulls, floating here, darti downwarde there, ecudding away with ashrick, till lost ina moment tothe view, or ascending on poised wing, whiter them expanded than the angry specks of snow. The whole presented an Arctic scene such as has been rarely pres sented in the harbor of New York. THE EVENING. The wind changed several ‘‘pints’? in the afternoon, but continued to blow with great violence. Snow cease to fall, but the wind blew it about at a great rate and divided It np into a hundred enow storms, The mercarp went up during the day to 18 degrees, but in the ovening it fell again to 10 degrees, About cight o'clock in the cventig the clouds disap- peared, and, with a clear sky and a full moon, the nigh® was beautiful, but extremoiy cold. Snow Storm at Baltimore. _ Baurnwonn, Feb, 12, 1866. About two inches of snow fell to-day. The Storm at Philadelphia. Purtapmupara, Feb, 12, 1865. A terrible snow storm is prevail and there are now fifteon inches of snow on the ground, The Weather at Boston. Boston, Feb, 12, 1865. ‘Woather to-day cold and blustering, with suow squalley thermometer about 12 degreos. Whe Weather at Providence, R. I. Paovipnce, R. 1., Feb. 12, 1865. Tho weather to-day Is bitterly cold, with snow squalle eS Died. ae ney evening Fobruary 12, AROBIBALD Pouce! faneral f Jats ars per. i in morrow’s a [Por Other Deaths See Third Page.)