New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-08-03

attempt toicn'er.
Duriug thi, chase Il was reported 10 our Captain
that, taking advantage OF Absence from Pass o.
lOutre, steamer wac making lis way down the river
with terrific speed. Instead oi continuing to follow
the COMPOUNDED old bark upon the reception Of such
important intelligence, we should have ignored her
presence and instantly putting about hastcned BACK 10
the river with all possible speed for it bad been uni
versay known for long time that the Secession nan
ofwar steamer Sumter was lying at the head oil the
Pass, awaiting opportunity 10 pass MS and eseare'
that she nj ght be az large upon tue high seas to plum
der and murder Unfortunately. But no. our Cap
tain did not seem 20 discern the necessity OF sueh an
action, but kept vessel steaniUg on, UNTIL over
taking the bark, he simply ordered her Off as stated
above. It's true, in DONG this We were performing
duty TO the very letter, but it Of minor in
lOrtance when compared to the interrogation of veg
eel VIGOROUSLY pirate. When returned it was re-
ported to us that the Sumter had alIcady succeeded in
crossing the bar, and this moment Captain, if
awakening from sleep, ordered 70 carry all the
steam possible, and crowd on all sail aud start in pur
suit Of the fugitive. This order had hardly been car
red into effect, when terrible squat came up, aud it
continued with such severity for = while we could not
see the length shpahead ofus. Forfear ground
ing, we lessened our speed, and eventually stopped
altogether, remaining so until the squall had passed.
Much to our chagrn, we then saw the Sumter q very
great distance ahead of us, and going through the
water ike witch. We continued tie chase but she
slowly increased tie defiance between us, it being
dead calm after the squal, and could not use Our
sails Had our vessel been in as good condition she
was at the OF this cruise, instead Of the
miserable etae she is now IN, we could have caught
all, md
at D. m. we were gladdened by the wind coming
around fair and freshening every moment We made
all SAIL until the spars and masts cracked and g0aned
under their burden and We were rewarded by the fact
that we were rapidly gaining upon the SUMTER which
caused us to feel unusually well, as We argued 1t
would be % nice job il we could succeed in trapping
tie pirate Suddenly, at this jnneure Of Affairs and
tie very turning point in our favor, Capt Poor ordered
the ship to be put about to abandon the chase, and
return to our anchorage. Amazement was depicted
upon he countensnce OF every man on board and, as
matter of course tie greatest and most bitter indlg
nation prevailed because Of this action. IL go I'M
called for inexpcabe that wonder and scOrn were
the Predominant feelings manifested.
Again. it was the opinion Of every man on board our
ship that il was our imperative duty to follow this
pirate to the lower regions, necessary FOR her cap
lure and let the blockade CO. the damage this
lratca vessel will do TO our commerce, ii let alone,
will be ncaleulabe.
The Sumter it ia reported, carries guns Of large
calber, some 700 men, and very fast. She is the
propeller Habpns, her name afterwsrd changed to
Altonzo built in 1851, by Messrs. c. II. & W. NJ.
Cramp, of Philadelphia Her dimensions are as fol-
lows length on deck, $50 feet; breadth Of beam, 80
feet depth of hold 10 feet depth Of hold 70 SPaJ-deek
10 feet; draft of water feet inches 900 uns buy
den Thus it will be observed That WITH the large
crew and heavy guns she is reported to have, she will
prove a mos, formidable priyaieor.
Capt Poor disregsrded all advice from his officers
aud gave DO explanation Of bis acton, bu' delbeste
returns TO the blockade and lets the pIte run to de-
stroy millions Of dollars worth OF property, in con-
parson with which the raitng Of the blockade ioraiew
DAVIS would have amounted 10 nothing. And further
/, was only after the repeated requests and urgDga OF
all the officers that Capt Poor concluded to send notice
TO the flag officer of the squadron at Pensacola, inform
ing him Of the escape OF the Sumter.
However, after the representations of the officers in
question, a boh was sent up to the 8un5oat Massa-
chusetts dispaching her TO the flag officer with the m
formation of the Sumters escape. We learned sub
sequently that the Niagara had gone in pursuit OF her.
we hope TO soon overhaul her.
Cant. Poor has had command OF this ship some two
months lie was transferred from the ST. Louis to the
Brooklyn at tho time Capt Walker was ordered home,
he being invaded.
ON Saturday night last boat, with an armed crew,
was sent from vessel some miles up tue river, to
the telegraph station and when II returned II brought
away the teegaphic instruments end portion OF the
wire in use at the station. We think this quite an
important movement, as it cuts oil all communication
fom the CITY of New Orleans with the heads Of the
several passes 10 the ocean.
Yesterday we captured the bark Pilgrim Of New
Orleans, haing from Bordeaux, with a valuable cargo
of wines, brsndies, &C., consigned 10 parties in the
City of New Orleans. She attempted to the block
ade 1t the South Pass but did no. succeed and got
caught for her trouble. She leaves to-day for Key
West, with a prize crew. under command of our
master Clark for her trial. / presume she viii be
condemned, and her cargo cOniscated
All the outward-bound vessels are OF the bar, the
last one leaving Yesterday; she WAS the Bremen ship
Senator Iren and bound for Europe.
Fourth of July was " dry day for those on board
Of this vessel At We fired national salute,
frightening the sea-guls, and making feel slightly
more patriotic. Following this, the Captain invited all
the officers into his cabin, TO quietly celebrate the
occasion. This occupied but shot time, and then the
wonted routine OF man-ofwar life began again.
Everything at New-Orleaus il in Il shocking con-
dition; the yellow fever has broken out among the
troops and citizens so we learn, making affairs
a melancholy aspect.
Gen. Braxton Bragg's troops are suffering in the
same manner and it is reported they are leaving PEN
saeos every day.
Matters are quiet at Font Pickehs. Col Wilson's
Zouaycs are in excellent health and they are doing
good 5. ryice in many ways.