On the eleventh, the Boston having returned, tire works on the bluff. On first occupying the bluff, Capt. Steedman, with his gunboats, pro-I embarked myself, with the last remaining porceeded immediately to Jacksonville, for the purpose of destroying all boats and otherwise intercepting the passage of the rebel troops across the river. On the fifth, leaving the work of removing the guns from St. John's Bluff to Colonel T. H. Good, Forty-seventh regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, my second in command, I proceeded up the river as far as Jacksonville, in the Ben Deford, with 785 infantry. tion of my command, except one company of the Forty-seventh Pennsylvania volunteers, left to assist and protect the Cosmopolitan, for Hilton Head, S. C., on the twelfth instant, and arrived at that place on the thirteenth instant. The captured steamer Governor Milton I left in charge of Capt. Steedman, United States Navy. It is evident that the troops in this portion of the country, from their being in separate and distinct I observed a large quantity of corn and other companies, have not sufficient organization or crops on the banks of the river, which it was at determination, to attempt to sustain any one pofirst my intention either to remove or destroy.sition, but seem rather to devote themselves to a This purpose I afterward abandoned as imprac- system of guerrilla warfare, as was exemplified ticable, not having either forces or transportation in our advance on St. John's Bluff, where, even sufficient to remove it, and seeing from the communication of the Major-General Commanding that he did not desire the delay necessary to destroy it. The rebels had a light battery of eight pieces, and a position in readiness to receive seven heavy guns at a place called Yellow Bluff, which they appear to have lately evacuated. Jacksonville I found to be nearly deserted, there being but a small portion of its inhabitants left, chiefly old men, women and children. On our first arrival some few rebel cavalry were hovering around the town, but they immediately retired on my establishing a picket line. From the town and its neighborhood I bring with me several refugees and about two hundred and seventy-six contrabands, including men, women and children. after the evacuation of the fort, they continued to appear on our flank and in our front, but as they seemed to fear a too near approach, their fire was never effective. The gunboats rendered great and valuable assistance during this expedition, and high praise is due to their commander, Capt. Charles Steedman, United States Navy, for the prompt and energetic manner in which he entered into every scheme for the reduction of the enemy, and the destruction of their works; and the zeal and activity with which he personally superintended every detail of his portion of the duties; and further for his generous assistance in reliev ing the transport Cosmopolitan. I ascertained at Jacksonville that the enemy commenced evacuating the bluff immediately after the surprise of their picket near Mount Pleasant Creek on the third instant. It affords me pleas ure to state that the most perfect harmony and good feeling existed between the two branches of the service, in every respect, doubtless owing to the gallant and gentlemanly conduct of the commander of the naval forces. The troops under my command showed great energy, zeal and activity, and a desire to meet the enemy, but the latter were too fleet for them. I doubt not they will give a good account of themselves when the opportunity offers. On the sixth, hearing that some rebel steamers were secreted in the creek up the river, I sent the Darlington, with one hundred men of the Fortyseventh regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, in charge of Captain Yard, with two twenty-four pound light howitzers and a crew of twenty-five men, under the command of Lieutenant Williams, United States Navy, and a convoy of gunboats, to cut them off. This party returned on the morning of the ninth with the rebel steamer Governor Milton, which they captured in a creek about two hundred and thirty miles up the river, and about twenty-seven miles from the town of I am much indebted to my Staff, Captain L. J. Enterprise. Lieut. Bacon, my Aid-de-Camp, ac- Lambert, A. A. G., Capt. I. Coryell, A.Q.M., Lieucompanied the expedition. Finding that the Cos- tenants J. V. Germain and G. W. Bacon, Aidsmopolitan, which had been sent to Hilton Head de-Camp, for their zeal, energy and attention to for provisions, had so injured herself in returning their duties during the entire expedition, particu across the bar as to be temporarily unfit for ser- larly the three latter officers, who were always vice, I sent the Seventh regiment Connecticut ready at all times for any duty. To Capt. Coryvolunteers to Hilton Head by the steamer Boston, ell, A.Q.M., the Quartermaster Department owes on the afternoon of the seventh instant, with the much for his untiring energy and activity in giv request that she might be returned to assist in ing his valuable assistance to the transport Costhe transportation to Hilton IIead of the remain-mopolitan after her accident. I am also under ing portion of my command. On the return of obligation to Capt. A. P. Rockwell, First Connec the successful expedition after the rebel steamers, on the ninth, I proceeded with that portion of my command to St. John's Bluff, awaiting the return of the Boston. On the eleventh instant I embarked the section of First Connecticut light battery, with their guns, horses, etc., and one company of the Forty-seventh regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, on board the steamer Darlington, sending them to Hilton Head via Fernandina, Florida. ticut light battery, who acted as additional Aidde-Camp, and to the officers of the signal corps, Lieutenants G. H. Hill and F. E. Town, who performed their duties with great satisfaction to me and to the expedition. I have the honor to be, Colonel, most respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. M. BRANNAN, Brigadier-General Commanding. SIR: The Department is doubtless aware that an attack by the rebels had been made some time since on the gunboats employed on the inside blockade of St. John's River. A battery had been erected on the St. John's Bluffs, and heavy guns planted, which kept those small vessels in the immediate vicinity of Mayport Mills. the object to be achieved, when it was a matter of duty, it became of great importance. Glory, to any great depth, might not cover them if they were successful; but an infinite amount of disgrace would attach to them should they fail. If possible, the enemy was to be captured and brought back; but on no account must they return without bringing back or destroying the guns. Commander Steedman, with a large force, had been ordered by Admiral Du Pont to look to this. Having approached the fort and felt its troops, he urged that troops might be sent to aid in securing the garrison when the battery should be silenced by the gunboats, and to alter the insolent tone of the rebel military authority in that quar-between Gen. Brannan and Capt. Steedman, of ter. Gen. Mitchel, with his characteristic promptitude, detailed a suitable force for the purpose, under Gen. Brannan, which sailed hence on the thirtieth ultimo. I have now the honor to inform the Department that I have just received the report of Commander Steedman, in which he informs me that the cooperation force under General Brannan having arrived and landed with great promptitude, the gunboats advanced, and after a spirited, and, as it seems, well-directed fire, silenced the battery, which was then occupied by our force. The rebels seem to have retired in much haste, leaving guns, (nine in number, some of which were eight-inch, and two four and one half inch rifles,) munitions, provisions, and camp equipage. This success has been without loss on our side. The vessels then ascended the St. John's to Jacksonville, and there learned that the rebel forces had retreated beyond that point. We retain possession of St. John's River as far as Jacksonville. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. GODON, Captain Commanding South-Atlantic Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington City. ACCOUNT BY A PARTICIPANT. STEAMER BEN DEFORD, ST. JOHN'S RIVER, Fla., Fourteen hours of pleasant weather and slow steaming carried us to St. John's bar, where we were delayed until midday of the first for highwater-the detention allowing the Cosmopolitan to run back as far as Fernandina for the little steamer Darlington, which was needed to assist in debarking the troops, and also affording an opportunity of consultation as to the plan of attack the gunboat Paul Jones, commanding the naval force. And here I may as well enumerate our strength. Gen. Brannan's command was made up of the Forty-seventh Pennsylvania regiment, Col. Good; the Seventh Connecticut, Col. Hawley; a section of the First Connecticut battery and a company of cavalry; and Capt. Steedman had the gunboats Cimerone, Water Witch and Uncas, besides his own vessel, the Paul Jones. In the afternoon, carly, transports and gunboats were all inside the bar, anchored in the mouth of the river, directly opposite Mayport Mills, a small timber village, situated upon a bluff. A couple of miles beyond, up the stream, where the ground is still more elevated, we saw the rebel flag, indicating the position of their batteries, and the Cimerone, Water Witch and Uncas were despatched to reconnoitre, executing their work handsomely, drawing the enemy's fire from three points; the former vessel planting some shells directly into the batteries, in return for the heavy shot they sent very near, but not near enough to strike. This "feeling" process was undertaken upon the supposition that the enemy had skedaddled, it having been observed that in the morning as soon as our transports came in sight, a flag of I distress was hoisted from one of the batteries, which brought down a steamer from Jacksonville, and she soon went back with what looked to be a portion of the garrison. port Mills. It was not until the afternoon of the third, in spite of most determined hurrying, and in the midst of a continued rain, that the troops, horses, and artillery, were got safely ashore, including two twelve-pound howitzers from the Paul Jones, and one from the Cimerone, worked by marines, which were placed under Gen. Brannan's He ex- orders. Finding that a fight was offered, the work of landing the troops was at once begun, by means of the scows and boats-a very tedious and difficult labor. A portion of the force was sent by The military portion of the expedition, under water through Buckhorn Creek, where they decommand of Brig.-Gen. J. M. Brannan, embarked barked on the mainland, under the protection of at Hilton Head, on the afternoon of September the gunboats, with a view of intercepting the enethirtieth, on the steamers Ben Deford, Cosmopoli-my's retreat, and the remainder stopped at Maytan, and Boston, accompanied by a smaller steamer, the Neptune, which transported scows and boats for landing purposes. Before leaving the wharf the troops listened to a few pithy words from Gen. Mitchel, in which he reminded them that this was the first movement of his planning in this department, and that they were complimented in being chosen to carry it out. pected them to accomplish all that they under- Early on the morning of the second we made took, and, no matter how insignificant might be prisoner of a Mr. Parsons, owner of the Mayport lumber-mill, and one of his negroes, but Parsons was so thoroughly a rebel, that no threats could induce him to give information. Just as the landing was finished, and the troops were about to move to the attack, word came from the gunboats, which had gone on a second reconnoissance of the batteries, that the rebels had vacated. The soldiers were pushed forward, however, and soon reached the works, finding them already in possession of Lieut. Snell, commanding the Hale. As I have before mentioned, there were eight guns mounted-all heavy columbiads, and two rifled pieces-in perfect condition, loaded and ready for use. Another columbiad was not yet upon its carriage. Besides the guns were a quantity of good ammunition, small arms, etc. It is conjectured that the rebels were twelve hundred strong, and they held the fort, expecting reenforcements, until, finding our troops getting in their rear, they fled at the last moment. Texas a volunteer lieutenant, J. W. Kittredge, with the bark Arthur, the little steamer Sachem, and a launch, with which force he said he would take Corpus Christi and the waters adjacent, from whence we heard of so many small craft running to Havana. He succeeded very well, took the place, made several captures, and compelled the enemy to burn several of their vessels; but on one occasion, venturing on shore with his small boat, he was surrounded and taken prisoner and carried to Houston, where they paroled him on condition that he should go North and not serve until regularly exchanged. He returned here in the Arthur, and I shall send him North in the Rhode Island. I next sent the Kensington, Acting Master F. Crocker, commanding, with the Rachel Seaman, and a launch, with a howitzer, to Sabine Pass. He, too, succeeded well. He found at the bar one of the mortar-schooners-Henry James, ActThe Paul Jones and Hale at once steamed with- ing Master Lewis Pennington, commanding out opposition up to Jacksonville, where they whom he invited to take part with him, which he anchored, remaining all night. The citizens most- did, and, according to Acting Master Crocker's ly continued at their houses, but no intercourse report, performed his duty with great credit, as was had with them. After destroying the ferry will be seen by the report herewith enclosed. at the town and taking the ferryman prisoner, the They took the fort and are still going ahead finePaul Jones returned, leaving the Water Witch, ly, having taken several prizes, one of which arwhich had come up later, and the Hale to inter-rived here yesterday with despatches. cept the rebel escape in that direction. I send this to Hilton Head by the steamer Cosmopolitan, whose departure hence is unexpected, and leaves me with only time to send you a hurried letter. I may have to inform you in my next of the capture of an entire Georgia regiment and many guerrillas, who still remain, we suppose, on the south side of the river, and cannot cross, as our gunboats command every ferry, and have destroyed all the boats, excepting those we require ourselves. The rebels were commanded by Finegan, of Fernandina, owner of considerable property there, and very jealous of the more prosperous town of Jacksonville. It is thought by the people of Jacksonville that he "got up" the batteries and made show of fighting in order to provoke the destruction of the town, and thus increase the value of his own village lots. Such patriotism is the growth of rebellion. Signal-Officers G. H. Hill and F. E. Town accompanied Gen. Brannan, and the usefulness of Myer's admirable system of telegraphing was again demonstrated by prompt communication be tween the naval and military commandants. X. L. T. I next sent Commander W. B. Renshaw, with the gunboats Owasco, Harriet Lane, Clifton, and Westfield, to take Galveston, which he did in the shortest time, and without the loss of a man. It appears that the first shot from the Owasco exploded directly over the heads of the men at and around the big gun, (their main reliance,) and the enemy left. A flag of truce was hoisted and the preliminaries arranged for a surrender, which took place on the ninth instant. The reports will give you all the particulars. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. G. FARRAGUT, Rear Admiral, Commanding West Gulf Squadron. HON. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. ACTING MASTER CROCKER'S REPORT. U. S. STEAMER KENSINGTON, PENSACOLA BAY, October 24, 1562. [ SIR: In continuation of my reports from Sabine Pass, sent by the prize schooners Adventure and West Florida I have the honor now to state that on the thirteenth instant I sent the Kensington on her way to the Rio Grande, under command of Acting Master Taylor, there to water the Albatross, in obedience to your orders, and also to water the other vessels blockading on the Texan coast. The next day I commenced to prepare an expedition to destroy the large railroad bridge at Taylor's Bayou. The expedition I had before sent, under command of Acting Master Pennington, of the mortar-schooner Henry Jones, having failed, at which the newspapers above exulted, while the enemy's troops immediately occupied it, and between two and three hundred men were placed there to guard it. I put the Rachel Seaman's twenty-pound Par rott gun and my heavy twelve-pound boat howit-pecial mention of Acting Master Mate Jannin, of zer on the prize steamer Dan, and on the morn- the Rachel Seaman, and Second Assistant Engiing of the fifteenth, with the schooner Velocity neer O'Connor, of this ship, both of whom I rein tow, carrying the Kensington's thirty-pound commend strongly for promotion for their gallanParrott, I started to attack the enemy. try, and also for their professional qualifications and character. In crossing the bar to enter the lake the schooner grounded, and I left her, pushing on with the steamer and a crew of twenty-five men only. The enemy were posted behind a high and strong embankment, and a force of cavalry and field-artillery were drawn up on the prairie, a little back. On the eighteenth the Kensington returned, having obeyed your orders down the coast, and on the nineteenth, with a number of refugees who had fled to us for protection, I started for the South-West Pass, where I landed them on the twenty-first, in care of Capt. Weeks of the Pampero. As soon as we came within range with the Parrott, we opened on them with shell, to draw their fire, if they had any heavy artillery; but they did not reply, and we continued the fire, nearing them rapidly until our boat howitzer, with two-second shrapnel, had them nicely in range, when the schooner grounded. A very few rounds gave the exact elevation, when the enemy broke and fled in confusion toward the cavalry and a train of cars which had in the mean time arrived from Beaumont with reën-portant and efficient aid on all occasions, while forcements. I immediately sent two boats' crews to destroy the bridge, while we shelled the prairie and the cars. We hit the train, and compelled it and the troops to fall back, after some time spent in repairing the cars. The two boats' crews, under command of Master Mate Jannin, of the Rachel Seaman, and Second Assistant Engineer O'Connor, of the Kensington, did their work in the most complete manner. They entirely destroyed the bridge, thus preventing the transportation of heavy artillery to Sabine Pass, and also burned all the enemy's barracks, and also the schooners Stonewall and Lone Star. While they were at work the enemy's cavalry made a charge on them, but the well-directed fire from the steamer repulsed them, and the work was done at our leisure. Returning to the schooner, we towed her afloat, and arrived back at the Pass the next morning. All that day, the sixteenth, we spent in preparing to attack a cavalry encampment situated about five miles back from the town of Sabine, the pickets from which had been a continual annoyance to us. On the morning of the seventeenth, with a party of fifty men and a light boat howitzer, we commenced our march for the encampment, driving in the pickets as we advanced. They retreated before us, gradually increasing in number, until we reached nearly to their encampment, where they made a stand; upon which we started toward them on the double-quick until we came within the range with our howitzer, when we unlimbered and gave it to them. The enemy immediately broke and fled into the chapparal. We immediately burned all their encampment, consisting of fourteen houses and stables, and then marched leisurely back to our steamer. I cannot speak in too high praise of the steadiness and coolness of my officers and men. They appeared as if on parade. I desire to make es I left the Rachel Seaman at Sabine Pass, and also the Velocity, with the Kensington's Parrott gun, and the prize steamer Dan, with the heavy howitzer, and about thirty of the Kensington's men, all under command of Acting Master Hammond, of the Kensington, who has accompanied me on all my expeditions, and distinguished himself by his coolness and bravery on all occasions. Capt. Hooper has rendered me the most imall the officers and men remaining on board the Kensington have performed their greatly increased duties with the utmost cheerfulness, regretting only that they also could not have been spared to help us on shore. On the twenty-third I supplied water to the vessels at Ship Island, on the twenty-third re ported to Com. Bell at Mobile, and arrived off this port last night. vant, I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient ser- Doc. 8. THE WANTS OF THE REBEL ARMY. APPEAL OF GOVERNOR VANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF NORTH-CAROLINA. AFTER the most strenuous exertions on the part of its officers, the State finds it impossible to clothe and shoe our soldiers without again appealing to that overflowing fountain of generositythe private contributions of our people. The rigors of winter are approaching, our soldiers are already suffering, and must suffer more if our sympathies are not practical and active. The quartermaster's department is laboring faithfully to provide for them; but owing to speculation and extortion, will fall short. The deficiency must be supplied by the people. We shall have an active winter campaigu, and how can our troops, if ragged, cold, and barefoot, contend with the splendidly equipped columns of the enemy? The articles most needed, and which the State finds it most difficult to supply, are shoes, socks, and blankets, though drawers, shirts, and pants would be gladly received. If every farmer who has hides tanning would agree to spare one pair of shoes, and if every mother in North-Carolina २ Doc. 9. REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SACKETT. would knit one strong pair of either thick cotton or woollen socks for the army, they would be abundantly supplied. A great lot of blankets also GENERAL STAHEL'S RECONNOISSANCE. might yet be spared from private use, and thousands could be made from the carpets upon our parlor-floors. With good warm houses and cotton bed-clothing, we can certainly get through the winter much better than the soldiers can, with all the blankets we can give them. HEADQUARTERS NINTH NEW-YORK CAVALRY, Brigadier-General Stahel, Commanding First SIR: In accordance with orders received from The colonels of militia regiments throughout the State are hereby appointed agents for the pur-headquarters First division at ten o'clock A.M., chase and collection of all such articles as can be spared by our people, who, through their respective captains, are ordered immediately to canvass every county and visit every citizen in their beats for this purpose. A liberal price will be paid for every thing where the owner feels that he or she is not able to donate it, and active agents will immediately forward thein to our suffering regiments. Expenses will be allowed the officers engaged in this duty, and transportation furnished the colonels or their agents to bring the articles to Raleigh. And now, my countrymen and women, if you have any thing to spare for the soldier, in his name I appeal to you for it. Do not let the speculator have it, though he offer you enormous prices; spurn him from your door, and say to him that our brave defenders have need for it, and shall have it without passing through his greedy fingers. Do not place yourselves among the extortioners-they are the vilest and most cowardly of all our country's enemies; and when this war is ended, and people come to view the matter in its proper light, you will find that the most detested tories are more respected than they. When they tempt you with higher prices than the State offers, just think for a moment of the soldier, and what he is doing for you. Remember, when you sit down by the bright and glowing fire, that the soldier is sitting upon the cold earth; that in the wind which is whistling so fearfully over your roof, only making you feel the more comfortable because it harms you not, he is shivering in dark ness on the dangerous outpost, or shuddering through the dreary hours of his watch. Remember that when you come forth in the morning well fed and warmly clad, leading your families toward the spot where the blessed music of the Sabbath bells tells you of the peaceful worship of the God of peace, the soldier is going forth at the same moment, perhaps, half fed, after a night of shivering and suffering, to where the roar of artillery and shout of battle arnounce that he is to die that your peace and safety may be preserved. Oh! remember these things, generous and patriotic people of North-Carolina, and give freely of your perishable goods to those who are giving all that mortal man can give for your safety and your rights. RALEIGH, October 15, 1862. A. B. VANCE. October fifteenth, I marched to Chantilly, and sent a patrol under Capt. Ayres through Frying Pan toward Leesburgh. I then advanced with my main force on Little River turnpike to Green Springs Cross-Roads, and sent Captain Hanley to Aldie to join the picket who had sent for reënforcements. As per order, I remained here in command of the Ninth New-York and First NewJersey cavalry until the morning of the sixteenth instant. At one o'clock A.M., Captain Ayres returned with his detachment, having patrolled the country thoroughly to within three miles of Leesburgh, but found nothing of the enemy. About nine o'clock on the morning of the sixteenth instant, I proceeded toward Aldie, and when near there I threw out patrols and pickets in the different roads, and a detachment, under Lieutenant Burrows, to Middleburgh, and a detachment, under Capt. Hanley, five miles out on the Winchester turnpike, where they remained until the morning of the seventeenth instant, while I staid with the main force at Aldie. During the night Captain Hanley came upon a small party of the enemy and captured one of them-his horse having been shot under him. On the morning of the seventeenth instant, in accordance with orders received from yourself, I sent a detachment of the Sixth Ohio cavalry, which had joined me the night before, with orders to go to Gainesville, push on to New-Baltimore, patrol to Thoroughfare Gap, keep up communication with the (White) Plains, where you would be with your command; and having sent out Capt. Hanley on an expedition, I then proceeded through Middleburgh toward Paris, having thrown a detachment, under Lieutenant Dickson, forward through Upperville toward Paris, who succeeded in driving in the enemy's pickets and capturing one trooper, with his horse, etc. At Rector's Cross-Roads I turned to the left, and marched to Rector; on the road, captured and paroled two confederate soldiers. I then marched to Salem; on the road, overtook a funeral procession, with three of Stuart's cavalry in full uniform as mourners. Upon their word of honor not to try to escape, I allowed them to pass unmolested to Salem, where part of my command would be. I charged the town of Salem, and captured four rebel cav alrymen, horses, etc.; threw my patrols out on all the roads, and paroled about sixty of the ene my's sick and stragglers. I here sent a detachment under Sergeant Strong to the Plains, with orders to send a patrol on to and through Thoroughfare Gap. The funeral procession, which I overtook on the road, being |