The Sun (New York) Newspaper, December 30, 1864, Page 1

By Telegraph to the N. ¥. Suan. —— —o -—_—__ -- - TH WHMINGTON EXPEDITION. Admiral Porter's Report, OUNT OF BOMBARDMENT. Not Much Accomplished So Far, THE BIG TORPEDO A FAILURE. Butler's Forces Coming Home, TERRIBLE ACCIDENTS. % Bursting of 6 Parrott Guns Among the Pieet. 25 MEN KILLEO---19 WOUNDED. Slight Damage Done by the Enemy's Fire. IMPORTANT FROM VIRGINIA. Burbridge’s Brilliant Raid. A SEVERE BLOW TO THE ENEMY. Great Destruction of “Property, REBEL THE «ae *& SALT “WORKS AND LEAD MINES IN RUINS. &c., v IL MING TON, Admiral Vorter’s Report. shington, Dec, 29.-The Becretary of the wy received this afternoon the folowing, by epe- &c., &e. Bal mensenger : Norra ATLANTIC Sqr Malvern, at Bee, off Ne a) Bre—1 was in bores that T+honld have been able to present to the uation Fort Fisher and the sur- TYounding works as a Christmas offering, but I am @orry to aay it has not been takon yet. I attacked Mon the Mb inst. with the Lronsicdee, Canonicus, Mahopac, Monadnoc, Minnesota, Colorado, Mobi- ean, Tuscarora, Wabash, Susquebenoa, Brooklyn, Powhattan, Juniata, Senoce, Sh nandoah, Pa- tuxeat, Ticomderoga, Mackinaw, Maumee, Yantic, Kaneas, laseo, Quaker City, Monticello, Rhode Island, Seesacus, Chippewa, Osceola, Tacony, Pon- tooguc, Santiago de Cuba, Fort Jackson and Van- derbilt, having a roserve of small voasela, conaist- ing of the Arie], Howqua, Wilderness, Cherokees, A.D, Vance, Anemone, Alolus, Gettysburg, Ala- bama, Keystone State, Kinsher, Tristam Shand), Brittania, Gov. Nansernond. Emma Lilian, DBuckingbam end THR rowDpEs Snir. Previons to making the attack, a torpedo on a large seale, with an amount of powder ou board supposed to be sufficient to explole the powder magazine of the for!, was prepared with ereat care, and placed under the command of Commander A C, Rhind, who had associated with bim on this perilous service, Lieut. 8. W. Preston, Second As- jetant Euogineer A. T. Mullen, of the U. 8 8B. Agawam, and Acting Master's Mate Paul Bayard, d end seven men. So much had been saki aud writ+ ; g ten about the terrib'e effects of gunpowder tn an J explosion that happened lately in England, that -} Breat results were expected from this novel mote ; of making war. Everything that ingermity could i, “! devise was adopted to make the experiment a snc- 8 tess, Tho verse! was brought round from Norfolk ‘ee with great care and without accident, in tow of a] ithe U. 8. 8 Sasaacus, Lieut -Commander JL. Da- Gd vis, who directed his whole attention to the matter me to in band, and though he experienced bad weather, a fend lost one of his rulers, he took her #afely into . 1 Beaufort, where we filled ber up with powder, and em 6 verfected all the machinery for blowing ber up. 4 ° eneral Butler had arrived at the rendezvous be- + re us, and I hastened matters all Wat I could, ao D E that no unnecessary delay might be laid to my be |! charge mae it BAILING OF THE FLERT, a On th¢ 18th inst. I sailed from Beaufort with all : , the monitors, the New Ironsides and the sual! ves- — els, including the Louisiana, digg aised as a block - , % ede runner, for the rendezvous, twenty miles east of New Inlet, N. C,, and found all the larger vessels aod transports assembled there; the wind blowiug hyzht fromthe N EB. Oa the 20th « heavy gale set in from the 8.W, and not being able to make a IN NEW _YORK, _ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, to blow her arrangements The lata News! This he was enabled to do, owing to # blockade up. unner going in right shead of him, the forts making the blockade runner signals, which they also did to the Loulsiana, The gallant party, after coolly making ail their arranyements for the ex- ploston, left the vesscl, the last thing they did be- ing to setheron fire under the cabin, and then taking to their boata they made their escape off to the Wilderness lying close by. The Wilderness then put off shore with good apeed to avoid any ill effects that might happen from the explosion. At forty-Cive minutos past one of the morning of the 24th, the explosion took place, and though the shock was nothing like so severe as waa expected, it shook the vessel some and broke one oF two glasses, but nothing more. OPENING OF THE ATTACK HY THR FLEET. Dayhght of the 24th, the fleet got under-way and stood in line of battle, At 11.30 A. M., the signal was made to engage the forts, the Ironsides leading, and the Monadnock, Canonicus and Maho- pac following. ‘The Ironsides took her position fn the most beautiful and seamnaniike manuer, and opened a deliberate fire on the fort which was firing at her with al! ite guns, which did not seem numerous in the north-east face, though we count- ed what appeared to be seronteen guns, But four or five of these were fired from that direction, and they were silenced almont as soon as the Lronsides opened her terrific battery. The Minnesots then took her position In handsome style, andthe guns, after gotting the range, were fired with rapidity, while the Mohican, the Colorado and the large ves- eels marked on the plan, got to their stations, all firing © cover themselves while anchoring. By the time the last of the large veasels anchored and got tho batteries into play, but one oF two guns of the enemy were fired, the fen denfer driving them all to the bomb-proofs. The small gunboats Kansas, Unadilla, Pequot, Beneca, Pontoosuc, Yantic and Huron took a posi- tion on the northward and eastward of the mon!- tors, and enfilading the works. The Shenandoab, Ticonderoga, Mackinaw, Tacony and Vanderbilt took effective positions, as marked on the chart, and added their fire to that already begun. The Santiago de Cuba, Fort Jackson, Osecola, Chippe- wa, Bassacus, Rhode Island, Monticello, Quaker City snd Jasco dropped into position according to order, and the batile became general, In one bour and fifteen minutes after the first shot was fired, nota shot came from the fort. Two maga- zines bal been blown up by our shells, and the fort set on fire in several places, and such » torrent of missiles were falling into and bursting over it that it was impossible for anything human to stand it. Finding that the batteries were silenced com- plowiy I directed the ships tw keep up & moderate fire, the hopes of attracting the attention the transporte end bring- ing them im At unset Goneral Putler came in in his flagship, with » few trans- ports, she rest not having arri\e4 from Beaufort Reing too late to do anything more, I signalled to the fleet to retire for the night to a safe suchorage, which they did, without being molested by the enemy. in of AOME MIATAKRS MADE There were some mistakes made the day when the vessels went in td take position, My plan of battle belng based on accurate calculations, and made from information to be relied on, was placed in the hands of each comtnander, and it seemed im- posrible to go astray, if it was strictly followed. I required those vessele that had not followed it closely to get under way, and assume their propor positions, whi ch was dove promptly end without confusion. The vessels were placed somewhat nearer to the works, and were able to throw In their shell, which were before falling in the water. One or two beading vessels baving made the mis- take of anchoring too far off, caused those coming aiter them to commit a like error ; but when they all got into place, and commenced work in earn- est, the shower of shell (one hundred and fifteen per minute) was irreaiatible. So quickly were the enemy's guns silenced, that not an officer or man was injured, TRRAIBLE ACCIDENTS — BCRSTING OF AIX PARBOTT acne I regret, however, to have to report some severe casnalties by the bursting of 100-pounder Parrott cannon, One burst on board the Ticonderoga, killing six of the crow and wounding seven ¢ there; another burst on board the Yantic, killing one offi- cer and two men; another on the Juniata, killing two officers, and wounding aud killing ten others ; another on the Mackinaw, killing one officer aud wounding five other men; another on the Quaker City, wounding, I believe, two or three; another on the Busquehanas, killiug and wounding eeven I think the bursting of the guns (Gix in all) much diseoncerted the crews of the vessels when the ac- cidenta happened, and gave oue aud all a great distrust of the Parrott 100-pounder;) aud, as subse- ort without scattering all the vessels, I determined » ride it out, which I did without accident of any ‘ind except the loss of a few auchors, the monitors ! Behaving beautifully Only two vessels went 14 » sea in order to avoid the fale, and farod no bet- TU: r than those at anchor, The transports, being 1c ' nort of water, put into Beaufort, N.C,, and were \ te eather. After the Southwester the wind chopped aN nd to the Westward, and gave use beautiful 34 oll of weather which J could not afford to lose, ; d the transports with the troops not making their — pearance, I deicrmiued to take alvautage of it, tad attack Fort Fisher and its outworks FXPLOSION OF THE POWDER SUTP. On the 28d I directed Commander Phind to pro ¢ andexplode the vessol right under the walls Fort Iisier. Mr. Bradford, of the coast survey, ing gone in at ni ascertainod that we d place a vease] of seven few . ef right on the of the beach, Lieut. R. H, Lawson, command- g the Gottysburg, volunteered to goin the Wil wness, Acting Master Henry Arey iu command, beeal 1, con tow the Louisiana into position, At 10:30 P, a . the powder vessel started in towards the bar, ». nd wes towed by the Wilderness until the em- | mei rasures of Fort Fisher were plainly in sight, The ‘ORY iiderness then cast off, and the Louimena pro- amit } eeeded under steam until within 200 yards of the | on Keach, and about 500 yards from the Fort. Com- NY ander Rhind anchored her securely thera colly went w work to make all quent events proved, they were unfit for service, aud calculated to kill more of our men than those of the encimy. BEAULTE OF THE ENEMY'S FIRE, Some of the vessels wore #truck once or twice The Mackinaw had her boiler perforated with she | and ten or twelve persons were badly acaided, The 4 suitable for riding out #t anchor such heavy | Osceola was struct by awbell near the magazine, and was at one time in « sinking condition, but her | efficient commander stu,pod up the leak ; while | the Machinaw fought out the batt'e notwithstanding The Yuntic was the only | the damage she received. ves‘el which left the line to report damages. Commander John Guest, at the east end of the line, showed unusual inte ligence in selecting the | Twice his guns cut down the flag-staff on the Mound Battery, and he | in a very short time, the K -ystone Stato and Quaker City co-operating effece | ‘ommander J. KR. Davis, with both rudders disabled, got his vessel, the Sassacus, into | close wetion, and assisted materially in silencing the works, and the Santiago de Cuba, and the positions as they could get, towing two other vessels, not forming proper lines, and throwing them out of place, and The taking of @ new po- sition, whie under fire, by the Brooklyn and Colo- rado, was beautiful sight and when they got | into place both ships delivered # fire that nothing could withstand, The Brooklyn well sustained her proud name under her present commander, Capt, | position and directing his fire. sileneed the guns there Lieut, tively Fort Jackson took such fought their guns well, | soon ec! ‘Semmes Aiton, and the Colorado gave evidence that | ber commander, Commodore H. K. Thatcher, well understood the dutios of his position, The Sus quebanna was most effective in her fire, aud was fortunate enough to obtein the right position, though much bothered by a voasel near her that bad not found her right place. The Mohican went into bate gallantly, and fired rapidly and with effect, and when the Powhattan, Ticonderoga and Shenandoah got {nto their positions, they did good service. The Pawturet fell handeomely into line, and did good service with the rest, and the Vanderbilt tock position rar the Min- nesota, and threw ine aplendid = fire. The firing of the monitors was ¢acelient, and when their shells struck, great damage was done, and the litsle gunboats that covered them, kept up « fire sufficient to disconcert the enemy's aim, The rebels fired no more after the vessels all opened on them, except » few shots from the mound and up per batteries, which the Jasoo and her consorts soon ailenced, Our men were at work at the cune five hours, and glad to get a little rest, Thoy caine out of the action with rather a contempt for the rebel batteries, and anxious to renew the battle in the morning. LANDING OF BUTLER'S 1 ORCES. On the 26th all the traneports had arrived, and General Butler sent General Weitzel to see me and arrange the programme for the day. It was de- tidedthas we should attack the forte agatn while the army landed and assaulted them, {f possible, under our heavy fire. Isent sewenteen gunboats under the command of Captain 0.8. Glassou, to cover the troops and assist with their boats in landing the soldiers. Finding the smaller vessels kept too far from the beach, which was quite bold, Isent in the Brooklyn to set them an example, which that veasel did, relying, as every command - er should, on the information I gave bitin in relo- tion to the soundings. To this number was added all the smal! vessels that were covering the const along. And finally [sent some eight or nine ves- sels that were acting under Commander Guest in endeavoring to find a way across the This gave one hundred gmat! boats to land the troops besides those the army wore already proved with sbout twenty more. 00-OPRRATION OF THB FLEET. At7 A.M. on the 26th I made signal to get uncer way and form in line of battle, which was quickly done. The order to attack was given, and the [ron- fides took position in her usual handsome aty!e, the monitors following close after her, All the voa- ls followed according to orders, and took position without shot being fired at thom, excepting a few shots fired at the four last vesso's that ot imto line, The firing this day was slow, only suffichnt to amuse the enemy while the army landed, which they were doing five miles to the oast of the Meot, 1 suppose about 3,000 men had landed when I was notified they were re-cmbarking bar IT could see our _1864. though no material results have s taken Place from the effects of the explosion that we know of, still it was not their fault, As an incentive to others, I beg leave to recommend them for promotion. Also that of Lieut. R. Hl. Lamson, who piloted them in, and brought them off. No one in the equadron considered that their lives would bo seved, and Capt, Rhind and Lieut. Preston bad made an ar- rangement to aacritice themselves in case the ves- sel was boarded—a thing likely tohappen. Ten- close herewith the report of Commander Rhind, with the names of the gallant fellows who volun- toered for the desperate service. Allow me to men- tion, aleo, the name of Mr. Bradford, of the Coast Survey, who has always patiently performed every duty he has been called on to carry out. My thanks are due to Lieut. Commander KR, Dreese, Fleet Captain, for carrying about my orders to the fleet during the action, and for hie general usoful- ness; to Lieut, Commander HH. A. Adams, for promptness in supplying the fleet with ammn- nition; to Lieut. M, W. Sanders, Signal Officer, whose whole time was occupied in making signals, and who performed hia duy well; and to my ades Lieut. 8, W. Terry and Lieut. 8 W. Preston, who afforded me valuable assistance, Ihave not yet received a list of the casuaition, but believe they are very few, from the enemy's guns, We had killed and wounded about 45 persons by the bursting of the Parrott guna. I must not omit to pay a tribute to the officers and crews of the monitors riding out the heavy gales oon) oan) open coast, «without mur muring or complaining of the want of comfort, which must have been very serious, They have shown a degree of fortitude and ne seldom witnessed, Equally brave verse vers In battle they take the closeet work with pleasure, and the effect of their shells is terrific, The fol- lowing are tho names of the commanders, and I hope shall ever keep them under my command: mmanderaeE G Parr tt, of the Monadnock, and FE. R. Calhoun, of the Saugus; Lieut, Commanders Kotknapy of RE the Mahopac, vib 1,000 left on ahore y, who bave not fot ton ace These will be got off lu the taoming, and the soldiers will then be rent home. Tiuclose the geuerel order for the attack T arm, Bir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Davey D, Powrer, Rear Adil r" by the tof the surf on the beach ft « al. Hion Groron Writes, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C, General HRatler’s Announcement of the Failure of the Land borces. Headquartera Department af Virginia and North Carolina, Dee. 2%, 1864.—Admiral; Upon landing the troops and making a thorough recon noissance of Fort Fisher, with Geveral Weitzel and myself, are fully of the opinion that the place could not be carried by @ atantially unin jeree fire, ult, ax it wae loft sub- navy Wet soldiers near the fort recounoitering and sharp- two only bearing up the beach and cover shooting, and was in hopes an assault was deemed | the only practicalle route, wot Wile enoush for a practicable, Gen. Weitzel, in person, was makiug | shougsnd men tu line of battle, Having eaptured observations about 600 yards of, and tho troops Fag Pond Battery, the varrison of which, aixty- five men and two e arionod officers were taken were in and around the works. One pallant officer, is off ' y tue avy, we also captured Hilf M Hat- whose name I do not know, went on the parapet "" : reven ofticers and 208 of hy lair North Carolina Junier Reserves, and brought away the rebel flag we had knocked } jaciuding its commander, from whom 1 learned down. A soldier went into the works and led out) that a portion of Hokes' division, consisting of a horse killing the orderly mounted on bir, and | Kirkland's and Hopgood's brigades, bad been taking hie dispatches from the box Another sol the rebels, ant eight or ten others who hal ven- tured near the forta were wounded by our abell, BUTLER GIVES IT UT Asthe ammunition gave out the vessels retirmd from action, and the fron-clads aud Minnes @a, Colorado and Susquehannah were ordered to © pen rapidly, which they did, with @uch offect thas it seemed to tear the work to picces, We drew o Tat sunset, leaving the iron<clads to fire through the night, expecting the troops would attack in tho morning, when we would commence again. I re~ ceived word from General Weitzel, informing me that it was impracticable to assault, and herewith enclose a letter from General Butler, aasi, reasons for withdeawing the troops. my answer Inthe bombardment of the 25th the men were engaged firing slowly, for seven hours, The rebels kept a couple of guns on the upper batteries firing on the veswela, hitting some of them several tines, without doing much damage. The Wabash and Powbatten being within thelr range, the objet scemed mainly to disable them; but a rapid fire osed them up. Everything wascoolly and systematically done throughout the dey, and I witnessed some beautifirl practice The army commenced landing about @ o'clo uing bis Talso enclaie k Capt. Gleesen, in the Santiayo de Cuba, having sielled Flag Pond Batter ensure a safe landiny, gud they commenced tor bark about 5 o'clock Tho weather comlug on thick and rainy, about # bingade were lefton the beach during the uight, covered by the gim-hoits, As our troops kinder, 64 rebel soldiers loleted the w p flag and cel ed themselves up, and were taken prisoners by the seamen landing the troops and conveyed to the Santiago de Cubs, and 215 more gave themaelven up to the reconnoltering party, ol! being desirous to quit the war Idou't pretend to 7 to Gen, Weitzel, who able engineer, and wh more of assaulting than 1 do. thinking that it was worth while to tempt after com!ng to fa TRYING TO FIND & CHANNEL, About 12 o'clock I sent double-enders, uuder Cor if I could effect an entrance thr the channel The great number of works in and about the bar bas changed the whole formation, aut where the original channel was be found @ shallow ber, I sont Lieitenant W. BR, Cushing in to sound and bring out a channel if he could find one, with orders to drag for torpedoes, and be ready to run in by the buoys when ordered, One boat belong- ing to the Tacony was sunk by a shel!, and a man it my opinion in opposition isa thorough soldier aud an se business itisto know Butl can't he!p nake the at- in a raauder Guest, to sce igh had his leg cut off; still they stuck to their work until ordered to withdraw for other duty, OCONOLUSION In conclusion, allow me to draw your atéention to the conduct of Commander Khind and Lieut. Preston, They engaged in the most perilous ad- venture that was oerhans ever undertaken» and. dier fired bie musket into the bombproof among wa fetachment of | | sent trom the lines before Richmond on Tuesday arriving at Wilmington on Friday night, ¢ ¢! advanced his skirmish line within 60 yards of the fort, while the garrison waa kept in their tombproofs by the fire of the Navy, and so closely that throe or four men of the picket line ventured Upon the parapet and through the sally port of the works, capturing a horse, which they broughs off, killing the orderly, who was the bearer of a dia- patch from the Chief of Artillery of Gen, Whiting, to boog alight batiery within the fort; and also brought away from the parapet the flag of the fort, This was done while the shells of the Navy were falling about the heads of we daring men who entered the work; end it’ was evident as noon an tie fire of the navy ceased because of the darkness, that the fort was fully manned again, and opened both grape and cauister upon our piok - etiine. Finding that nothing but the operatious of areguiar sieve, which did not come within my in- structions, woull reduce the fort, sud in view of the throstening aspect of the weatber, the wind arising from the southwest reudering it impossible to make further lancing through the surf, [caused the troops, with thetr prisoners, to re-embark, aud I see uostiug further shat can be dove by the land forces, I eball therefore sail for Hampton Roads ag goon aa the transport fleet can be got in order, My engineers and officers report Fort Fisher to me us substantially uuinjured as a detensive work, Thave the honor tw be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Bens, Fo Borer Maj. Gon, Commaiding, To Rear Admiral Portes, Reply of Admiral Porter. Nowtw Artantio Squapios, U §, Fiag Bui MalLyeuns, ore New Inter, N Cy Dec, 26, 1564 GEnrtan : celpt of this date, the of your letter substance of which was communicated to we by Gen, Weitzel Inst uight, Ihave ordered the largest vessels to proceed of Beaufort t) fill up with amrounition to be ready for another atiack in case It is decided to proceed with this matter by making other ar- rangcweuts, We havo not commenced firing rapidly yet, wud could keep any rebels inside from nowing thelr heads until an oapaulluy coluran was within twenty Fey of the works, 1 wiah some more of your ua Inne fel- lows had followed the officer who took the tlag from the parapet and she brave fellow who brougot the horse out froin the fort, I think they would have found it an easier conquomt than ls supposed, not, however, vretend to place my opinion in omtion to Gen’ Weitzel, whow I know to ve an upheved eller and engineer, and whore pmen has great weight with me I wh kk We will smooth beach about 8 »k out that the troops are all off in safety, have # west wind presenily, and lock, when sufficient boats wi be sentfor them, The prisoners now on board the dantiago de Cubs will be delivered to the Pro- ) vost reus! ot Fortress Munroe unless you wisn take them on board one of the transports whica woud be inconvenient just now (signed,) Davin D, Porter, Kear Admirol. ‘The Fleet still at Work. Washington, Dee. 29.--The Associated Pross re- | porter, who went out with the Wilmington expe- dition, sends the following: *Thave just this mo- | ment (1.30 P, M.) arrived bere in the steamer Mat, which brings Lieutenant Proston, Bearer of Dis- | patches from Admiral Porter, and aim surprised to hear reports prevalent of the abandonment of the expelition, It is not true, Our fleet were still bomberding Fort Fisher when I left, and Porter expressed himeelf as confident of being able to take it,"" Pesstpest Lovooun's extre me tax eve inco was I Leg leave to acknowledge the re- | PRICE ONE CENT. \rwo CENTS hal CURRA«, 104 ——. GENERAL BURBRIDGE, : Brilliant Lesults of the Haid into South western Virginia. Washington, Dec, 29.—Tho following report of Goneral Burbridge’s operations haa been received ; Catletaburg, Kg» Dee. 18, 1864.—1 have the honor to report that my mounted force, 4,000 strong, in conjunction with General Gillem's brigade, the whole under tho command of Major Goneral George Stoneman, marched from Bean's Btation, W. V., on the 12th of Decem!er, at day- Nght, They met Duke's brigade at Kingsporty where he was drawn up to oppore the crossing of the Holston River, I sent two regiments to sup- port General G!llem, who flanked the enemy, rout- ing them, and killing, wound and capturing 100 rebels, and taking a wagon train, pursuing them to Bratol on the line between the Slates of Vir- minis and Tennessee, which place he attacked at 8 o'clock tn the morning, and captured with 290 Prisoners, two trains of cars, five engines, and im- menee quantities of stores, I learned that Vaughn was at Zi ileoffer, 19 miles below, and marchod to attack him, but be sl pped away in a dense fog and mao for the aalt works, I discovered his fight tn time to head bim. off at Abingdon, on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, which place I captured on the night of Docember 14th, taking one gun, « large amount of storey, and an engine with rolling stock Gen, Gillem continued the pursuit of Vaughny coming up with him from a strong position, and capturing fifty prisovers. I sent Col, Brown's brigade to the mpport of Gen. Gillem, who again came upon the enemy at Mount Airy and drove him in confusion, capturing some prisoners, seve ploces of canu ou, and a large wagon train, Col. with bia br'vade, later in the day, charged the home guard at Wytheasvillo, capturing five pieces of cannon and eight calsaona, Major Harrison, of the 12th Kontucky, who had been detached by order of Gen. Stoneman with 300 picked men aud horses, struck the Virginie Rail- road on the 16th near Glade's Spring, cutting ity and capturing two trains of cars. Drown, He then gotin Vaughn's front, and continued along the line of the road, destroying all the bridges aud depots as far as Wythesville, aod @ larre amount of rolling stock aud the reat iron works near Marion, Col. Krown destroyed the bridges for ten miles above Wythesvillo When the expedition etarte! on ita return, the men and borses being nearly worn out, I came upon Drockinridge, who was following, and av engagement’ of which Rreekin- ridge retreated towarda Suliville, But Col, Buck ley, with a brigade, ha rot Into his rear, forced North Carolina, Col. | Buckley effectually destroyed the leal mines near | Wythesville, On the night of the Soth, after some | resistance, united forces captured the aalt rka, with sight ploces of cannon The expedition has been entirely will be m Richmond of 36 hours ensued, at the clon “ Lim in confusion towards our w successful, and than the loss of The ealt work« and lead mines are in ruin and cannot be repaired during the war My forces are now as this © felt by the enemy place, and safe, 6. T. Nernamon, Hrevot Maj. Gen. Other Accounts, Cininnati, Dee. 20..-A despatch to the Com- at from Louisa, Ky. eays that the raid of Gena. Stoneman and Burbridge was « brilHant euce The rebel Gens Breckinridge, Vaugha end Duke were whipped. Their artillery was captured, and the'r forcea were scattered. Saltville was burned and the salt works destroyed. The rail- road from Bristol, and twenty miles beyond Wrythevilie, waa destroyed, with all the rolling stock. Bristol and Wytheville were laid ir + The property destroyed is estimated millions of dollars, Loutaville, Ky, Dee, %.—A reliable telegram from Augusta Station dated the 28th, represents the command of Gen. Rurbridge in good shape and spirita returning to Loxington after ® most suc corsful expedition. Gen, Rurbridge destroyed the railroad ten miles beyond Wytheville, and the galt works and load !n that vicinity, Gen, Breck- inridge was badly whipped and left for North Carolina, The eontof Western Vir- gin'e bas no longer any efficiency ned) cenn, ins, ror hw bel Depart GENERAL THOAS, Hood’s Army HKroken Up. Washington, Dec 29.-A dispatch to the Navy Department, from Rear Adiniral Lee, dated “Flag- slip Fairy, Chickasaw, Ala, 2Tth,"' anya he haa destroyed a new fort at this point, and all the ene- my'# visible means of crossing the Tennessee below Florence ; and on that day blew up two caissons, destroyed two ficld-pieces there, knocking one into pleoes, the other into the river, Several transporte with supplies for Gen, Thomas arrived at Chicka- saw oO Tt was found, from the General's dispatches, that Admiral Lee's movements bad u the 27th, been in good time to meet those of the The Admiral asyat ** How rere ‘a artiay ia reported broken up, and its parts cannot crows at ur below | Floreace, uniews tho river ‘alla weriously. It in wow falling, which made it impracticable today to reach the crossing which the enemy ia #ald to be using—above Little Muscle Shoals, six miles above Florence." Nashville, 04 Dec %%.--Union prisoners, who oa eaped from Florence and arrived at Columbia on the 27th, etase thas Hood's advance arrived at the Tennessee Rever on Wednesiay, the 21st. The next day bis infantry crossed ov pontoons, which he had placed above the sloals, out of reach of our gunboats, One of the prisoners states that Hoo! cros#ed the Tennessee with 110 cannon, Be count od twenty-five on his retreat on Saturday, When 19 miles this aide of the Tennessee River they heard heavy canuonading in the direction of Florence, probably Steadman's force engaged with Forrest on the Tonnessee, in the rebel army The indignation against Hood 16 great, successful South-Western Expedition. Cairo, Dec, %.-—Tho steamer Carter, from Now Orleans on the 11th inst., bas arrived bere, Bum- ness was reviving at Morganzia under the judictous management of Gen, Ullmann Ao expeditian left Morganzim to om-operate in the Movemontecn the Aichafunys river, bus owing Comnnued an the last nae