Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-12-19
GENERAL BUrLER,s EXPEDITION.
fhe Occupation Of Ship Island-A Naval
Engsgement-rhe Confederate Fleet
Gen. Phelps Proclamation, &c

We have already stated that the u. 8. steam
Tansport CONSTITUTION Capt. Fletcher, arrived at
Fortress Monroe Sunday last, on her return from
ship Island, Mississippi Sound, having safely
landed at the latter place, December 4tb, the two
regiments part OF Gen; Buffers expedition)
Wnlch embarked on her at Boston, on the 18th and
2lst Of November. The New York Times has the
following additional particulars:
The arrival Of the Constitution at Ship Island
vas as granfylng a. IL was unexpected by the little
neet and small garrison which have been holding
tue place against constant threats and occasional
attacks from the rebels. BY the assistance of two
large river steamers, which had been captured In
mississippi Sound only q short time previous 20
her arrival, the troops and the material of war
and subsistence stores were landed between the
9Th and sth OF December-e single accident only
occurring, oy which one OF the steel rihed guns
belonging to Capt. Manning's Light Battery, was
lost overheard ~ 49,
The two regiments were comfortably encamped
On the island, near the lighthouse, and the Salem
Battery near the fortihcaton On the eth the La AZ
OF the cargo was landed on the beach, and wa,
taken charge Of by Commisary Butler brother
70 Major General Butler, who will probably Join
the expedition In a short time with a large ac-
cessioa the force The Constitution left AT Shin
Island her slendid rihed long range guns also
SIX nne life-boats Of the Francis and RAYMOND
patterns, Tor the use Of the command. During
toe day on which the Constitution sailed from
ship Island, naval engagement took place with
IN sight, and quite near the island between the
United States gunboat New London and the
10
Pamlioo and California-which were attem ptinS
70 run the gauntlet from New Orleans to M MobIls
'NooOdY was hurt" on either side
ineee are dvs boats belonging to the rebel side
which are E"w actively engaged In conveying
merchant veEEels and steamers, or carving the
mail to and fro IN Mississippi Sound viz: The
Arrow, with two guns Pamlico, two guns; Flor!-
mamenT not known
The last two namsd are mail boats The Ffori-
"a, tne most formidable OF this rebel feet, Is IN
COMMAND eS Of Charles Hays, late Lieutenant In
the United States Navy. The Arrow a com
manded by Capt. Pittsfeld.
The rebel fset keep up eontirual watch upon
the movements Of the United States gen bosts
themselves accordingly. A small steam TUG
seems TO be wholly employed In accommodating
our position at Ship Island taking account of the
nohoer OF steamers at anchor in the roads, their
position the arrival and departure Of strange YES
rebels TO know
This steamer was seen on the dav Of the arri-
val OF the Constitution, waiting OF Cat island
as II 70 take our dimensions, and then scudding
away with great industry towards New Orleans
TO carry the news. She has continued to make
ne1 appearance regularly each day since we an
thres miles 70 the northwest. As soon as she Oh
serves the signal on the Massachusetts for the New
London TO get under way, she takes to her heels,
time.
Since the arrival Of the New London between
tnlrty and forty prisoners have been captured
|ao Were either passengers on the steamers, their
omcers aud crews, or persons belonging to the
sailing vessels which have also been taken Thir.
" or more OF these persons Were released by or.
Ger OF Commander Smith Of the Massachusetts,
Among those detained are Captain John winters,
OF the steamer Henry Lewis, Thomas English
clerk Alfred Bacon, mate, and two aremen. The
omeers Of the Anna detained are Captain Suzzar-
an Of Pascagoula, his mate and clerk
Ship Island 10 one Of a series of small islands
which have been formed by tie action Of the
ocean, and which constitute the southern bound.
eiy o. Mls:laip ppi Sound. II is seven miles long,
according to the chart, having area Of between
TWO ana three square miles, and an abundance of
good water, and covered, on It's eastern end with
robust growth Of timber. II is within IS miles
Of New Orleans, and 70 Of Mobile, by the nayi-
gable route.
Ship Island has been In possession of the rebel.
lHunter Riaes) under the command OF Major Al
sets, some time ago. The island is barren
desolate place. On the west epe 10 fort partly
erected oy the government. The work was dis
Soannoed when TIE rebellion broke out. II has,
Ii 10 the intention Of Gen. Phelps to complete the
work end make three tiers Of guns which are to
De sent from Pensacola.
The fort For Massachusetts) is In command
OF Lieut.. s. Reid Buchanan and Capt Fontaine,
Of the Navy. The lighthouse was fred by the
rebels, burning out the interior and destroying
a. good condition as formerly.
A fanguing march Of six or seven miles through
tne white sand brings you to the other end Of the
island, which Is the only fertile spot on which in
thick forest Of pine and white oak This part
Of the island was Inhabited formerly by one or
two hmilies engaged In rearing cattle. Their
houses have been burned to the ground. Some
twenty or thirty head Of cattle and pigs roam
through the woods. Raccoons were found In
great abundance. The sailors shake them from
the trees, and by good use Of the cutlass make
sure Of their game.
EFFECT OF PHELPS PROCLAMATION.
Gen. Phelps crazy abolition and anti Catholic
proclamation, issued from Ship Island to " the
the people Of the Southwest" seems likely to
have some mischieyous results. correspondent
Of the New York Herald writes:
On the evening Of the 4th day Of December
number Of the officers Of the brigade, and others
Of rs who were still on board the Constitution
were astonished to learn that Gen. Phelps had
prepared q proclamation to the people of the
Southwest. IL was read to Us, and caused very
great dissatisfaction and Indignation, nothing
bu: sense Of duty and regard for discipline pre-
venting she strongest expressions Of disgust.
The next day the substance Of the document
command and Of the naval squadron. The re-
mark Of every onncer whom heard speak Of It
was that they had not come down here to fight
fer the abolition Of slavery, but for the integrity
Of the Union.
Gen. Phelps allusion to the church question In
the French revolution Is q most unfortunate one
He seems entirely 70 have forgotten, not only the
also that one regiment (the Ninth ConnecticuD Of
his brigade II composed Of lrishmen, of whom
there are probably not twenty men who are not
Roman Catholics. This paragraph 10 very offen-
sive to them, and especially 10 their chaplain,
Father Mooney.