The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-03
OUR SPECIAL REPORTS
OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.

OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.
UNITED STATES STEAMER HARRIET LANE !
Ar SEA, August 81, 1861.
Departure Of tse Esesdi'io" against Fort Ha1was-Isei-
dents at Sea-The Rendezvous eF Care Haaeyas--Laaa-
ing Of the Tyo9ps-,S,eamfjag Of tie Boats and Danger
efthe Hen-4 Canaenadm9 Protects the Landiag--At-
tack upon The Enesnys Observation-Disclosures Of the Fight
1he Snsqnehanna Joins i-The Rebels Dyiren from Their
BatteriesIhe Stars and Stripes Float Therfropl-N9M
Puts End TO the Codici-Crtical Position Of the Fbrce
On Sho'e-Renecdl Of The Eahe-A Near Battery Discorer
sd-Comdined Attack Of the Whole FIeet--7he Enemys
Guns Shareholders 5 Factory Succeed the Roar of
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Surrender Of TIE Retels-Ren-
force~ses,s Jor TIE Enen,y Cut ard Run-Imposant Re
suits qf the TicoryGenerd Butler Proceeds Washing.
to'sThe Captured Prisoners Route 10 Ne,o Yor,7ne
Hdyria Lane A9rOund-ContraJaad Of Var ia tic
Action, dec.
BY this time must be well known that an expedition
sailed yesterday afternoon from Hampton Roads de-
signed TO make efecual the blockade established
by the President the Southern Up this
our bockadng feet has not been strong enough place
Gordon Of efficient cruisers the coast from the Cape Of
Delaware to the Gulf Of Mexico prevent Illicit
course between the ports Of the rebeos States and the
world. While the principal Southern ports have been in
manner Theoretically sealed TO commerce. long stretch
OF coast has been poorly guarded the blockade
only in name This coast pierced by and deep
hets leading TO tho internal Of North Carolina and
connected with nearly all the Southern scaboard States
by internal canals and rivers has been of late swept by
the rebel prvatcers who have had their rendezvous
Cape Hateras and in tho neghboring nles have taken
their captured prey. The columns Of the daily HERALD
Of the past months will show what an extent our
commerce has been injured and cut up by these piratca
cruisers, who sally out and capture aud rob all
vessels that may Fall into their hands frequently forget
ting the rights Of neutral flag. OF this could
be permitted by the government to continue for any
longer time than would require to take adequate and
cessary steps TO put stop TO it, Unfortunately Ell
Gent feet OF cruisers coald not be created day and
though the has devoted its energies that
end, we have not yet enough vessels 30 prevent the
securing Of these waters by these auacious and success
full pryateers. Although reluctant adopt such harsh
preventive measures, the government determined some
time since to purchase large number old schoopers
load them with stones and then scuitle them the
numerous nets leading TO Pamlico Sound thereby for
time enecuay closing them, and thus preventing the
egress and ngrcss of prvateers If this is successful
experimentation it is not known how long these hulks
may withstand the immense pressure Of and
from the ocean to these inland seas rice r,su-it
will relieve the Navy Department Of the necessity Of
keeping fifteen gunboats on the coast Of North
Carolina.
Until late day the expedition was designed to consist
only Of enough men-owar TO safely convoy the fleet of
schooners TO their destinations and protect them while
they were being scuttled, and to this expedition have
several times alluded in late communications from
Fortress Monroe.
But the plan changed and il was proposed to send
land force in the fleet to land batteries CO.
operate with the navy in capturing them. This change
was no, generally known, aud for special reasons
Trained from mentioning it. Preparations were mme-
oia'ely made for the expedition, in the way Of large
supply OF boats for disembarkpg troops proper
Of transports, &C. to further its object Its departure
was unavodably delayed but Sunday last August 25
orders to Newport News for detachment from
Hawkins Zouaves and the headquarters OF other reg
ments, which TO send detachmens take part in
the movement. The hour Of one Monday afternoon
yesterday set for the departure Of the expedition
bu. was not until short time after that the flagship
Of Commodore String ham, tho Minnesota steamed from
her old anchorage for the Capes Tho Wabash started
shortly afterwards followed by the steamers George Pea
body and Adelaide TRANSPORTS bearing troops the gun
boats Monticello aud Pawnee conveying the transports;
Che two transports towing disruased schooner each on
which was large aatboat belonging to the Union Coast
Guard and the gunboats towing each large iron surf
boat, capable OF containing hundred with ease
ana safety. AT halfpast two the steamer Harriet
Lane sot unaer way, and the HERAtD's special cor
respondent was fortunate enough TO be able to accompany
tne expedition on board this hne vessel While running
down TO the Capes passed the steamer Ben DeFord
from Boston for the Washington Navy Yard with seve
raj hundred blue jackets board for the soop of a
Pensacola at the latter place These boys hronged tho
decks and gazed wistfuly we passed no dopbt
envyng all board the feet for their good luck in hay
ing chance for fight Soon after we passed the new
gunboat Connecticut, from New York with stores and
provisions for the Gulf squadron. Her object in runnny
up the Roads s not known The beauty of her model
the admiration of every good Judge in the eoet
While we sti inside the Capes the Hunter Woods
queer looking craft in the shape OF Steamboat ran
navy, now naval ordnance Officer Cor the b,ocksdipo
squadron at Fortress Monroe hailed Captain raunce and
desired him to signaize the Pawnee several miles in adj
vance Oh us, to come TO and take board Captain Ier
neds company Of regulars from the fort who had unac
rnuntaby been forgotten and left behind also observed
Major Kimba Of the Hawkins Louaves ON board who WINS
TO take command of the three companies from thai rep
ment In moment the signals flying at the fore
and after time answered by the Pawpee and
the wishes Of Captain Renshaw made known and tho shin
brought TO- The regulars, who arcrymen to act as
infsnry safely got board and after an hour or
more delay she followed US TO sea.
At Eve O'Clock we passed Cape Henry in long range or
Hs tall white lighthouse deserted whose bright rays
have not been flashed the neighborne waters 10
gladden. the eye Of the mariner FOR many months Pass
ing the Wabash and the flagship, which we ssiued by
dipping or coegs VIC STOOD down The coast There WIS