The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-22 00:00:00

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS OF THE COM-
MITTEE OF PRIVY COUNCIL FOR TRADE.
My Lords,—l have the honour to report, for the
information of your lordships, the result of the in-
quiry which, in conjunction with Captains Harris
and Baker, as Nautical Assessors, I have held into
the loss of the Georgia on Sable Island, on the 4th
of August last. The Georgia was an iron screw
steamer, built at Jarrow in 1863. She was of 2,876
gross, and 2,414 registered tonnage, originally
owned by Messrs. Fernie Brothers, of Liverpool,
and transferred on the 3d August, as it appeared by
her certificate of registry, to certain persons trading
under the designation of the British and American
Southern Steam Navigation Company. She was
commanded by Mr. Benjamin Gleadell, who held a
certificate of competency
as master, dated 9th Aug.,
1853. The Georgia made the outward yoye,4o from
Liverpool to New York in perfect safety, and sailed
again from New York on the homeward voyage, in
all respects thoroughly equipped, on the 31st July
last, drawing 23 feet 3 inches aft, and 20 feet 7
inches forward, She carried, in addition to her
crew of 94 hands, 20 cabin and 27 steerage passen-
gers, and a very large and valuable general cargo,
and was left in safety by the pilot off Sandy Hook
shortly before 7 p.m. At noon on the Ist August
a good observation was obtained, which placed the
ship in lat. 40 58 N., and long. 70 27 W., a position
to the northward of the Nantucket Lightship. The
weather had been fair, with passing clouds, up to
this period, but at 1.20 p.m. a dense fog set in. A
cast of the lead was taken at 1.30 p.m., which indi-
cated shoal soundings, but the speed of the vessel
was not slackened to take soundings or subsequently,
and in ten minutes afterwards she struck on some
outlying danger off the Nantucket Shoals, the pre-
cise spot never having been ascertained from the
density of the prevailing fog. She continued
grounded for from five to six hours, during
which time some cargo was thrown overboard
to lighten the ship, and eventually about
7 p.m. she floated. Sail was then made, the
ship standing for the southward, but after proceed-
ing about a mile the vessel again took .the ground,
but very shortly went off into 10 fathoms water.
From this the master proceeded cautiously, steering
various courses, until she got into 22 fathoms, and
then shaped his course S.E. and by E. till noon of
the following day, soundings having been occasion-
ally taken during this time in 30 to 40 fathoms.
From noon of the 2d a more northerly course was
shaped, and continued until she struck on the north-
west bar of Sable Island about 1 a,m. on the 4th, no
soundings during that time having been taken, and
the vessel continuing under all sail, and steaming at
a rate of from nine to ten knots an hour, notwith-
standing the fog, which continued unabated. At
daylight the fog lifted, and the master then dis-
covered his position, when the second officer was
sent on shore to find a good landing place, and to
seek assistance, but he did not return to the ship
till the following day, and the passengers and the
greater part of the luggage were all safely landed
in the course of the morning. Efforts were made
during the next 48 hours, the weather being mode-
rate, by carrying out both a kedge and a bower
anchor, to heave her off, but unsuccessfully, and
some portion of the cargo was got upon deck, but
not thrown overboard. The crew, at midnight of
the sth, knocked off work, and early on the follow-
ing morning went aft to the master, and insisted
upon their effects being landed, fearing, as they
said, a change in the weather, which might render
their position dangerous. This request the master
reluctantly complied with, but, notwithstanding,
eventually in the course of the morning the engi-
neers, firemen, stokers, and all hands, save the first
officer and four others who volunteered to remain
with the master, left the ship. The impression
made on the mind of the Court by the evidence on
this point certainly was that the master did not pos-
sess either the necessary confidence or control of
the ship's company. At the same time, I feel bound
to add, that the superintendent of the island had
stated in the hearing of some of the men, that the
ship was in a dangerous position, and could not be
got off, while if it came on to blow she would
probably go to pieces, and there would be
considerable difficulty in landing. It appears to me
only right to state thus much ; and as the dangers
of the position must have been known to the
master, it may account for his not having opposed
more strenuously, as it would seem' to have been
his duty to do, their departure from the ship; and
it may also be some extenuation for the men being
so anxious to leave. At 11.30 a.m. on the 6th the
vessel floated, and remained in 28 to 30 feet of
when she again grounded
water till 4.30 p.m.,
heavily, the six remaining hands on board being
unable, of course, to save the ship in the interval.
When she thus again took the ground, it was
supposed she settled down on her part anchor, as
she began to make water fast, and finding that
nothing could be done, on Friday morning, the
7th, the master and remaining hands left the vessel
with 10 feet of water in the forehold, 6 feet in the
mainhold, and 5 feet in the afterhold. The ship
was visited subsequently several times, and some of
the stores and provisions were saved. In review-
ing the circumstances of this catastrophe, I am
compelled to pronounce the master in default. This
case adds another loss to the long catalogue of
disasters which have occurred through the want of
common precaution, in not using the lead while
running in a dense fog, and in this instance in an
uncertainty as to the true course. Notwithstanding
the warning upon this latter point which the
master had received by his first misadventures in
grounding upon Nantucket Shoals, he took no
further soundings after noon of the 2d, relying
uponor his course being correct and safe. Had he
ione.lly continued his soundings as ho ap-
proached the meridian of Sable Island, he would
have had time].
warning of the approaching dan-
nt'
ger- Captain Bay field,
America Royal Navy, speaking of
this vicinity, s
the " Sailing Drections for
Island
To the southward (of Sable
), on the
almost impossible for an
manar
dually out for so Y, the water deepens gra-
miles, that it would seem
caution to run on shoreyonvessel using common pre-
farththat side, either of the
island or its bars; yet by
, soundingaf affording shipwrecks have taken place theta, greater number of
proof of the culpable neglect of thea
leaadsasdo
common in the mercantile marine.
vessels clime on shore in man a
tv Calle of these
I although foggy
weather, after running for y miles shallo
water, when one cast of the lead would have h w
them their .danger, and, in many cases, saveds both
life and property.
/...t.aough, therefore, the master
his statement, thought he w, st()Lu . '
to judge by it ng
a course that would
have taken hint a long Way
f Sable Island, yet in the absence
to the southward o
of observations to corroborate his assumed position
url CatIDOL but cancleian the
dense fog, the Co
in a
neglect of the lead ; tor, even admitting that he was
misled by his compasses, under all the antecedent
circumstances, he should harp taken warning and
eont!nned his soundings. In t ie judgment which
I have, with the full concutTenon of my assessors,
to pronounce upon the master, I have taken into
consideration that he was making his first • Itlantie
voyage as commander. But it is my duty to visit
his conduct with a heavy censure, and I accordingly
~suspend the certificate of Mr. 13or.jamiu Gleaell for

The New York journals publish the following
official despatch of Gen. Lee, describing his invasion
of Pennsylvania and its results:—
To GENERAL COOPER, ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR-
GENERAL, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.
Headquarters, Army of Northern Virginia, July 31.
General,—.l have the honour to submit the following out-
line of the recent operations of this army for the informa-
tion
~The
ef
positionth e
occupied department : —1) y
being one in which he theeou
could
notem enemy opposite pp o
attackeds ite
to Fredericks-
burg
advan-
tage, it was determined to draw him from it. The execution
of this purpose embraced the relief of the Shenandoah Val-
ley from the troops that had occupied the lower part of it
during the winter and spring, and, if practicable, the trans-
fer of the scene of hostilities north of the Potomac.
It was thought that the corresponding movements on the
part of the enemy to which those contemplated by us would
probably give rise might offer a fair opportunity to strike a
blow at the army therein, commanded by Gen, Hooker;
and that in any event that army would be compelled to
leave Virginia, and possibly to draw to its support troops
designed to operate against other parts of the country. In
this way it was supposed that the enemy's plan of campaign
for the summer would be broken up, and part of the season
of active exertions be consumed in the formation of new
combinations and the preparations that they would require.
In addition to these advantages it was hoped that other
valuable results might be attained by military success.
Actuated by these and other important considerations
that may hereafter be presented, the movement began on
the 3d of June. M'Law's division of Longstreet's corps left
Fredericksburg for Culpepper Court-house, and Hood's
division, which was encamped on the Rapidan, marched to
the same place.
They were followed on the 4th and sth by
Ewell' s
corps, leaving that of A. P. Pill to occupy our lines at
Fredericksburg.
The meta., of khoou La oope.navmg been discovered by the
enemy, on the afternoon of the 4th and the following day
ho crossed a force, amounting to about one army corps, to
the south side of the Rappahannock on a pontoon bridge
laid down near the mouth of Deep Run. Gen. Hill disposed
his command to resist their advance; but as they seemed
intended for the purpose of observation rather than attack,
the movements in progress were not arrested.
The forces of Longstreet and Ewell reached Culpepper
Court-house by the Bth, at which point the cavalry, under
General Stuart, was also concentrated.
On the 9th a large force of Federal cavalry, strongly
supported by infantry, crossed the Rappahannock at Bever-
ly's and Kelley's Fords and attacked General Stuart. A
severe engagement ensued, continuing from early in the
morning until late in the afternoon, when the enemy was
forced to recross the river with heavy loss, leaving 400 pri-
soners, three pieces of artillery, and several colours in our
hands,
General Jenkins, with his cavalry brigade, had been
ordered to advance towards Winchester to co-operate with
the infantry in the proposed expedition in the lower valley,
and at the same time General Imboden was directed, with
his command, to make a demonstration in the direction of
Romney, in order to recover the movement against 'Win-
chester, and prevent the enemy at that place from being
reinforced by the troops on the line of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, Both of these officers were in position
when General Ewell left Culpepper Court-house on the
10th. Crossing the Shenandoah near Front Royal, he de-
tached Rodes's division to Berryville, with instructions,after
dislodging the force stationed there, to cut off communication
between Winchester and the Potomac. 'With the divisions
of Early and Johnstone, Gen. Ewell advanced directly upon
Winchester, driving the enemy into his works around the
town on the 13th. On the same day the troops at Berry-
ville fell back before General Rodes, retreating to Win-
chester. On the 14th General Early stormed the works at
the latter place, and the whole army of General Milroy was
captured or dispersed. Most of those who attempted to
escape were intercepted and made prisoners by General
Johnson. Their leader fled to Harper's Ferry with a small
party of fugitives.
General Rodes marched from Berryville to I‘lartinsburg,
entering the latter place on the 14th, where he took 700
prisoners, five pieces of artillery, and a considerable quan-
tity of stores. These operations cleared the valley of the
enemy, those at Harper's Ferry withdrawing to INlaryland
Heights. More than 4,000 prisoners, 22 pieces of artillery,
270 waggons and ambulances, with 400 horses were cap •
tared, besides a large amount of military stores. Our loss
was small. On the night that Ewell appeared at Winchester
the Federal troops in front of A. P. Hill at Fredericksburg
recrossed the Rappahannock, and the next day disappeared
behind the hills of Stafford.
The whole army of General Hooker withdrew from the
line of the Rappahannock, pursuing the roads near the
Potomac, and no favourable opportunity was offered for
attack. It seemed to be the purpose of General Hooker to
take a position which would enable him to cover the ap-
proaches to Washington city. With a view to draw him
further from his base, and at the same time to cover the
march of A. P. Hill, who, in acoordance with instructions,
left Fredericksburg for the valley as soon as the enemy
withdrew from his front, Longstreet moved from Culpepper
Court-house on the 15th, and, advancing along the east
side of the Blue Ridge, occupied Ashby's and Snicker's
Gaps. His force had been augmented while at Culpepper
by General Pickett with three brigades of his division.
The cavalry, under General Stuart, was thrown out in
front of Longstreet to watch the enemy, now reported to be
moving into London. On the 17th his cavalry encountered
two brigades of ours, under General Stuart, near Aldie, and
was driven back with loss. The next day the engagement
was renewed, the Federal cavalry being strongly supported
by infantry, and General Stuart was in turn compelled to
retire,

The enemy advanced as far as Upperville and then fell
back. In these engagements Gen. Stuart took about 400
prisoners and a considerable number of horses and arms.
In the meantime a part of Gen. Ewell's corps had entered
Maryland, and the rest were about to follow. Gen. Jenkins,
with his cavalry, who accompanied Gen. Ewell, penetrated
Pennsylvania as far as Uhambersburg. As these demon-
strations did not have the effect of causing the Federal army
to leave Virginia, and as it did not seem disposed to ad-
vance upon the position held by Longstreet, the latter was
withdrawn to the west side of the Shenandoah, Gen, Hill
having already reached the valley.
Gen. Stuart was left to guard the passes of the mountains
and observe the movements of the enemy, whom he was in-
structed to harass and impede as much as possible should
he attempt to cross the Potomac. In that event Gen. Stuart
was directed to move into Maryland, crossing the Potomac
east or west of the Blue Ridge, as in his judgment should
be best, and take position on the right of our column as it
advanced.

t
By the 24th the progress of Ewell rendered it necessary
that the rest of the army should be in supporting distance,
and Longstreet and Hill marched to the Potomac. The
former crossed at Williamsport, and the latter at Shepherds-
town.
near Chambersburg
thence
iTuhtoe
pcoelnnumsynisvraneuina,iteendeaatmHpianggerstown, and advanced
on the 27th.

No report had been received that the Federal army had
crossed the Potomac, and the absence of the cavalry ren.
dered it impossible to obtain accurate information. In
order, however, to retain it on the east side of the moun-
tains after it should enter Maryland, and thus leave open
our communication with the Potomac through Hagerstown
and Williamsport, General Ewell had been instructed to
send a division eastwards from Chambersburg to cross the
South Mountains. Early's division was detached for this
purpose, and proceeded as far east as York, while the re-
mainder of the corps proceeded to Carlisle.
General Imboden, in pursuance of the instructions pre-
viously referred to, had been actively engaged on the left of
General Ewell during the progress of the latter into Mary-
land. He had driven off the forces guarding the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad,
destroying all the important bridges on
that route from Cumberland to Martinsburg, and seriously
damaging the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
He subsequently took position at Hancock, and after the
arrival of Longstreet and hill at Chambersburg was directed
to march by way of Maconnellsburg to that place.
Preparations were now made to advance upon Harrisburg,
but on the night of the 29th information was received from
a scout that the Federal army, having crossed the Potomac,
was advancing northwards, and that the head of the column
had reached the South Mountains. As our communications
with the Potomac were thus menaced, it was resolved to
prevent his further progress in that direction by concen •
trating our army on the east side of the mountains. Ac-
cordingly Longstreet and Hill were directed to proceed from
Chambersburg to Gettysburg, to which point General
Ewell was also instructed to march from Carlisle.

General Stuart continued to follow the movements of
the Federal army south of the Potomac after our own had
entered Maryland, and in his efforts to impede its progress
advanced as far eastward as Fairfax Court-house. Finding
himself unable to delay the enemy mates icily, he crossed the
river at Seneca, and marched through Westminster to Car-

lisle, where he arrived after Gen. Ewell had left for Geats intys:
Gettys-
burg. By the route ho pursued the Federal army w
terposed between his command and our main body, prevent-
ing any communication with him until his arrival at Carlisle.
The march towards Gettysburg was conducted more
Slowly than it would have been had the movements of the
Federal army been known.
The leading division of Hill met the enemy in advance of
Gettysburg on the morning of July 1. Driving back these
troops to withing a short distance of the town, he there en-
countered a larger force, with which two of his divisions
became engaged. Ewell, coming up with two of his divisions
by the Heidlersburg-road, joined in the engagement. The
enemy was driven through Gettysburg, with heavy loss, in-
cluding about 5,000 prisoners and several pieces of artillery.
lie retired to a high range of hills south and east of the
town. The attack was not pressed that afternoon, the
enemy's force being unknown, and it being considered ad-