The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-22
THE EXPEDITION TO SHIP IslANp.
OHcial Report OF Brisadier General
Phelps to Major General Bufler-Cen.
Phelps PrOcinmn tion Condo mnca &C.

sihF ISLAND, 1llssSSifPI SOUND, Dec. 3, 1881.
MAJOR GENERAL !, T. BogIfe commanding department II
New England, Boston, hles:--
SRA part Of the Madlesex brigade consisting OF tins
MASSACHUSETTS Twenty sixth and Connecticut Ninth In
tantfy volunteers, with Captain Manniag's battery Of
artillery, volunteers, numbering 10 MI (s6ryants nclud
ed nineteen hundred and eight arrived on sort slopr,e
virginia, on board the steam transport Constitution on
the 18th of November. In compliance with previous
orders and commands, relieved Colonel Jones, OF the
Massachusetts Twenty sixth, in command and we stood
out 10 sea On the afternoon OF the 9Th.
After pleasant passage wo reached Ship Island har
Dor Mississippi sound, on the evening OF the d OF Do
cember Dispatches FOR Flag oGlcer Mexican with which
WAS entrusted, sent by Lieutenant Wnsow of the
r. r. Cuyer, the same evening to Pensacola station,
where the Flag 0nlcer tben was, and whom
made known my arrival Captain Smith, Of
the steamer Massachusetts,, offered all the
means within his power TO facilitate our
landing, an operation which have not yet completed
and which VIC should have found very difficult il i'm
possible but for the Jealous assistance rendered by Lieu
tenant buchanan and the officers Of his command aided
by two high pressure steamers which tho navy had re-
Gently captured. We found in tho harbor the United
states war vessels Massachusetts and R. r. Cuyler, be-
sides several prizes and not long aterwurd the gunost
Now London and AN armed schooner came in.
Upon tho west end Of the island partially finished
fort is occupied by about hundred seventy sailors
and marines, commanded by Lieut.. Buchanan OF the
navy. who has several large cahbre Dahgren guns
position navy carriages. Tho rebels by whom tho
island was held several months abandoned Il in sentem.
Der last and destroyed nearly everything they could
not carry Of The fort and lighthouse with tho keeper's
lodgings remain the former unfinished and the latter
injured to extent by fire. The walls tho fort have
carried up to sufficient height by the rebels TO
nearly Tier oil caSemAtcS partly covered
with some considerable mason work and with materials
(none the ground except lime, it might receive some
twenty guns casen,ate car.iages.
Tho island Is long, marrow strip OF land running
north OF east some ak or seven miles. Toward tho west
end where the harbor lies, and where encamped
il consists OF hummocks of white sand nterspcrsed
with cdgy spots water 1t bears evidence Of having
oyarhowed In some extraordinary storms large trunks
o having drilled on some Of its higher humm0cks.
The east end wdens out in triangular shape. embracing
about square mile, and is covered with pine
made unsuccessful effort TO have it examined the day
Alter arrival and regret having boon too much oocu
pied since to repeat it.
For the present, concluded to land here,
where can place, though mdincrenty well.
one or two more regiments The land Is In no
respect suitable for camp especially in view Of such
instruction OF tho regiments present particularly
needs Should the stay hero BIO Of long continuance, huts
with floors viii be necessary. regret to learn that in
landing. the baggage of one Of Captain MannDgs six
Founders was lost overheard.
people the remote objects Of this expedition.
have prepared proclamation, which shall cndcavor
TO disseminated carly and widely possible
ss.eut with the more pressing demands Of the service
7 havo today in accordance with my Instructions.
held interview with Captain Smith, Of the Mas
sachusetts, Flag Officer Mexican not having
rived. Captain Smith thinks there is water enough
on tho island ana in the vicinity to supply
procuring il will he slow and difficult Ho says
the Flag Officer has ordered more guns for the
fort which are daily expected He suggests coal depot
the island and regular steam packet between tho
island and Fortress Monroe, or some other Northern
port.
The discharsirs Of the Constitution is stin
prevailed from tho north and east and the water last
night rose so high that a considerable por-
ton &c the island between tho fort and lighthouse
pverfowed leaving thin sheet OF water there event
| which, am informed. is not mfte4uen, The narrow
strip Of land, abont u quarter or third Of
a mile in width which forms the western
extremity of the island, is but i'll suited for
camp either for regulars volunteers. have visited
the eastern extremity OF the island beyond thu lagoon.
There sufficient space there for five thousand men, but
the land is SO inerspcrsed with marshes that consider
camp there for that number of the question Tho
along the northern shore for distance is
shallow that rowboats dragged bottom The beach ia
lined with ridge Of sand hummocks, some ten feet in
height but beyond these the land generally low and
covered with pines, scrub oak scrub palmetto, ana
marsh grass In patches. Mosquitoes would be trouble
there at all seasons, and in rainy weather much Of
the ground would b. under wafer The process
Of reclamation seems still TO DO going ON
with an activity as ii il had but just
begun although the island probably old the main
land Tho animals here are snakes, oads, birds, rae
coons, pigs, and, it is said, aga'ors
Tho New London, with four long thirty-twos and
ono riAe cannon, appears to be, under her present
commander, very effective and well managed
craft, giving the enemy much annoyance The
euamy's gunboats are Of light draught, armed with
riGod guns snd il is folly to allow them such advan
tage. With such advantage side could make
ourselves felt in this quarter
BgcxMRgR S-2PM
The Constitution has been discharged, and will sail be-
fore dark While repcrusng this report the lie Soto and
Nsw London have been engaging the cnemys boats in
the direction OF New Orleans.
honor be, very respectfully. your obedI
eAt servant.
J. ". PHELPS, Brigadior General CONG
NOTE IRON MAJOR GENERAL BUTLER TO THE ADJU-
TANr GENERAL.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1861.
TO THE ADJuTANr GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY
SIR-I have the honor to forward to the Commanding
General this report Of Bgadier General Phelps. have
received from General Phelps any official copy Of the
proclamation which he refers but from other
have such information renders it certain that tho
printed copies nearly correct. need hardly say
the issuing Of any proclamation npon such OCCASION
neither suggested authorized by me, and most
tainiy not such With that exception commend
the report ask attention to its clear and business like
statements.
have the honor to DO, your most obedept servant,
BENZ. r. BUTLER, Brgadior General Commanding.
General Butler will close up bis business with tho War
Department, and return to Boston tomorrow.
LElruKE STEWART l.. WooptoRD, Eso.-This young
gentleman lectured Friday evening before large and
select audience Of ladies and gentlemen at the Hall OF
the Board Of Education, taking for his themc:-"Tha
Po, or Al Idea The subject ably handled, and
the paulits Of the audience loud and frequent
Police Intelligence.
Mrs M,RKs AGAlY.--Mre. MARKS, who was supposed t1