The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-21
OUR HILTON HEAD CORRESPONDENCE

Hnroy HgAp, s. c., Dec. I6 1851
Sketch q HE Movements IN Camp Details If Important
Reconoissanee-Progress of the Cotton PiclesAcerooe
Of The Cotton CollectedTAe application Of Fire 1y H
Southerners-Nao OPERATIONS Of Adams Express Com
pany-Arripal Of ne Ercson- General Renas Of Ne,os
de-. dc.
There Is but little news TO communicate by this mail
Nothing Of any moment has TRANSFERRED my last by
the s. r. Spaudiug Saturday
An important reconnaissance is being made today in
the direction Of North and South Edto under the drcc
ton OF Commander Perciva Drayton with the Pawnoe
Ottawa, Seneca and Vixen. c. H. Boutele of tile coast
survey The results will ranspire soon enough to be
sent north by the Atlantic, which sails to-day
The cotton gatheers under Colonel Noble continue TO be
actively engaged the nclghborng islands with coed
degree Of success am informed by the best authority
at least five hundred thousand pounds 0! cotton gnned
ungtnhed-mostly suppose Of the latter character
have been collected, ready TO be to Hilton Head
where large number of cotton gins be up and
pat into operation. The negroes, who have come in in
great numbers will furnish the manual skill and labor
necessary TO work them in efficient manner The cot
ton VIII be gnned picked and placed in sacks ready for
transportation north Captain saxon whose labors are
already herculean adds thereby another branch to his
department and viii doubtless conduct it in that efficient
and satisfactory which has marked all his efforts
thus far.
have doubt that million pounds or more will be
been destroyed by FIRE by rebels during tie past
or three weeks. No, u night passes by without the
heavens beng lit mp IN quarter another fire.
qacny in every quarter by the aamcs arising from burn
ing plantation houses barns and gins stored with cotton
and provisions and we are unable of course, to do any
thing to check the work Whoa our lines and in strk
Ing distance believe there are not dozen planters,
houses intact The torch has beon applied go generally
that nothing bat found on every side The enemy
have endeavored TO persuade the slaves accompany
them, after the destruction of every habtaon but in
majority Of cases the negroes have refused finding
Their into lines where they find protection food
and work, the latter furnished in small quantities
Several important reconnaissance the tauis and
tnc general results, far may learn and which will
not affect the public veal will transmit in my next
Adams' Express Company have now established here a
permanent Office for the reception and Transmission OF
soldiers packages. They have secured comparatively
large room under the Post Office, are doing splen
did business Mr. Smson has charge OF the Office and Is
ably assisted by Mr.. Edward Tunnison Win H. Depraw
aud A. A. Rice all old express men and well qualified for
their position AT leas; SIS 600 40 forwarded in cold
to-day by the Atlantic made up Of small packages con.
taining average fifteen dollars Quite a mum
her Of other than money packages will be sent by the
Atlantic The Provost Marshal engaged in opening
the boxes which the express company had ant
recepted for and the presence OF any article that
10 have rebel origin deemed sufficient ca SO for
eonscaon of the box. This has created great deal OF
feeling among the az boxes il viii greatly de-
lay the forwarding of the same, and perhaps occae o
Atotal "ss Of their contents. II to be an ont
raseons piece Of business at first blush but there may
b. good reason not apparent to outsiders for this un
81 ial proceeding. l hope il may appear.
The Atlantic will take up number of exofcers OF re.
smen here, who have resigned failed pass the
requisite military examination before the comins sion
BOW n here
The Ericsson arrived Saturday evening from For
tress Monroe. WIN the NiAety.seven,h Pennsylvania
Volunteers Singular 20 relate she broagh, no mail o.
papers HOW TINS occurred il ia Glfcut to divine The
POST oee authorities must be exceedingly negligent in
the performance Of their du.es or this culpable over,
sight would not have occurred There e no certainty N
the mails at all IN this direction. They may come
through and may not just il may happen and the
letters and papers brought bear oil sorts az aatee r1
last mail brought mo the HERALD Of the 18th az Nove,o
Der and of the 80 Of December with another nan,
Der dated last month Out of twenty copies that are due
ne have received six only Where the rest are nor
hap thu Post Office officials may ascertain for me am
q the dark, and likely 70 remain -.
SEND you official diagrams of iree forts St. Hecoa
b'and discovered end taken possession Of by Tire Cntsi
STATES vessels Pambina Commander Barkhcad: tho tina
dila, Commander Collins and tho Vixen Captain Plat,
naasF cof1meod Ct Commander PerciYa prsyton, U. $.