The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-31
OUR GREAT ARMADA.
Its Final Departure from
Hampton Roads.
SPLENDID SIGHT FOR TEE UNION.
Additional Particulars OF the
Expedition,
&C., &C., &c.

BY the arrival lhcre OF the government steamer
Thomas Swan we learn that the fleet composing the
great naval expedition have begun TO Captain
Hamilton that Monday afternoon Ave O'Clock,
the sailing vessels getting under way and when
the Thomas Swan lott the also preparing
TO take their departure AT midnight OF tho 2sth, OF Hog
Island, he passed four steamers bound South.
We also by our teegrsphc dispatches learn that the
great fleet sailed on Tuesday morning the Wabash taking
tho lead at daylight when tho gun Ared signal,
and no Cahawba bringing up the roar. Tho vessels,
about nifty In number formed In line fow miles down
the Roads, and went out between the Capes in splendid
style. Tho Baltic had tho Ocean Express In tow the
Vanderbilt the Great Republic and tho Illinois the Golden
Eagle The morning tho most beautiful Of Tho sea-
SON. and tho the lnes ever Witnessed on this con
tnent.
Previous to the departure General Sherman removed
his quarters from the Atlantic to tho frigatc Wabash
lie took with him Assistant Adjutant General Captain
reouze one oflhis Aids; - Merrill Dr. Cooper, Medical
Director and Captain Rufus saxton his Chief Quarter.
master.
In connection with the expedition, we give short
sketch Of Captain Rufus Saxson Chief Quarermastor and
his assistant Captain Charles T. Fuller, Assistant Quar-
termaster, United States Army Captain saxton was
born at Greenfield, Mass. graduated at West Point in
1854 and First Lieutenant In the Tenth regular cavs
ry. His services are and have BEEN invaluable to Gene
raj sherman In the starting and fitting out OF this expe
dton; in fact, much involved upon him
that, although offered Coonelship In OF
Wilson'S regiments, General Sherman has requested
him not TO accept until he sees the troops fairly
landed at point In the South; and then, ha will
transfer all and ordnance Capt
Fuller his rst assistant, and Capt Hssca his second
assistant. he will consent fully and freely to relnquish
his services but bcgs him leave until this be &C.
government aid In this expedition and ordered 60 re-
port at Camp Winfield Scott Long Island and after
fling up tho affairs OF the camp there--the Third New
Hampshire ana Eighth Maine regiments having been sud
ordered to New York help Capt saxon and for three
weeks toled hard, night and day, and even Sundays,
loading the transport ships Of the feet, despatchng
each one with orders TO their captains to report to
Cen sherman, at Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, Md Upon
these two gentlemen rested the burden OF all tho labor In
the starting Of the transports.
An order issued Friday night at twelve O'Clock
from Headquarters and taken to each ship OF the fleet.
that they must be ready TO start the following day
Saturday and the signal for getting up steam would be
the Union Jackn at the foroast head Of Atlantic
each ship must indicate that she understood the sig
nal by raising the Jack her foremost head Tho
signal for sailing would be the lowering the same from
the Atlantic, whsn II understood, 70 DO lowered BY all
the others But on account Of northeast Storm blow
ing very hard the expedition was prevented from start
ing but the signal for getting up steam went up and was
lowered, and orders counermanded.
One little event happened on Thursday morning OF last
week which Is truly worth our notice, for bctekens
Captain Saxton looked alo and there perched
the very top OF tho mahtopmast American eagle;
he sat there until the and the cheers the and
the swelling music Of tho Third New Hampshire Band
started him oif-but not in fright-for IL seemed a.
though he Just dropped himself tho soft breeze and
Donted gently away, gazing down upon ho went,
much as to say ~ have crowned your expedition with
success"
The following Is a list of the boats for landing the
troops and official II only includes those belonging
the transports; the navy will supply many more