New-York daily tribune., 1861-05-15
the WAR FOR the UNION.
LATE DISPATCHES.
-ur CAPTURE OF THHE sTEAM-GUN.
Oyerhauiing she Rebels.
Correspondence Of Tie N. y. Tribune.


Correspondence Of The N y. Tribune.
"CANP RELAY" near Baltimore, May II, 1861.
Tie capture Of the famous steam-gun has been men
soned in tie papers, but the particulars have yet
been no where recorded. win, therefore supply
them: Late Friday evening information was lodged
with Col L. G. Parker aid to Gen. Butler, that the
essam-gun, which had for days been undergoing
repairs at Wipanss machine shop, had been started on
its way to Virginia for the of therebeis Col T.
Immediately called in Colones Lyons and Jones with
reference to sending out au expedition TO capture It,
II wss concluded that the expedition should consist Of
two companits Of infantry with battery of light
artillery Tie belief was that the gun would be well
ecarded Accordingly company of the Massachusetts
9Th with artillery, and company Of the n. Y. Sta
were detailed for tie service. The Massachusetts
troops were at the depot, had their guns
unimbed horses aboard the care the train the track
amt ready for the start, when the New-YorI troops
earne up Tie alacrity of the former was handsomely
acknowledged by the latter who eheered their COM
raAss. At Il O'Clock in the morning the expedition
vas under way On arriving at Elicott's Mills,
twelve miles distant, they found that the gun, which
was not guarded had already been captured by Capt
Robert II. Han, one of Gen. Buffers aids, who had
vrcceded the expedition on horseback. The gun was
ssa.ed pistol and ordered the drivers to dismoUnt
This order they obeyed The gun was followed by a
wagon containing two men, one Of whom fled. The
other coming np demandedto know by what authority
his properly was thus seized Capt. H. replied, by
the sane authority in the name OF which now aFrest
you, that of the United States
This was mpaned with the presenting of pistol
IN close proximity TO the gentleman's head, and be
yielded himself a prisoner without resistance. The
train coming up the gun and prisoners were placed on
board of the cars and o'clock in the morning they
were safe in Gen. Buffers canp at the Relay House.
The Massachusetts boys planted the gun by the side OF
Major Cooks battery. Tney intend to apply little Of
the "gumption to it, and ii there is thing valuable
h K, they will turn il 10 good account The gentleman
taken prisoner, who proved to be Mr. Dickinson, the
Of the gun, was sent to Annapolis, where Gen.
Butler was. He confessed that he WIS on his way to
Virginia with the gun and that it wac to be used by
Ne Rebels.
To-day another capture was made. Col. Jones
who is in command at the Relay House, received In
formation from MaTylander tlat a quantity Of mill
tary clothing and cloth had passed through Eysville
about twenty miles distant on its way TO winchester
Va, an1 that a large quantity would follow on tho
same route this morning. Accordingly Col. Jones dis
patched detachment Of Massachusetts troops undeI
Capt Sawtell, to capture it. On reaching Elysville
the several boxes found, containing single rebel
uniform probably sampleJ and large quantity OF
CLOTH The Loxes had been transported there with the
intention of shipping them by rail to Hapers Fery
Tie troops took possession Of the goods and this morn
ing brought them into camp. ! understand that Col
Jones intends to send the rebel uniform as trophy u
his friends in Massachusetts,
Last night there was q false alarm, which, if moth
ing more served to show how soon the men can b'
got into an attitude Of defense II had been rumore
that there would be an attempt made by the Rebels 4
recover the steamgun captured the night previous an
that demonstration was to be made on the camp
The night was very dark and rainy. At about
o'clock there three successive reports heard, oeea
stoned by the firing of Inusket The entire camp wa
at once in notion and in less than fifteen minutes th
men were in line their positions taken, and the gun
ners at their batteries and everything in readiness 70
any number Of Rebels that think best to Ate
remaining under for about hour, it was ascer
tanned that the report false one, and the camp
was soon restored TO s accustomed quiet. NhO fre(
the shots is not known.
Major Cooks battery Of light artillery, composed 0
six pieces have been having target practice at dis
tance of 600 yards. Every shot told Oh the target
several of them bit the center The firing elected tn
warm commentator of the United Stated artillery oii
GERS who witnessed il.
A United States mastering officer is expected herr
tomorrow to muster in tine New-York troops VII,
have not yet taken the oath. The camp healthy, an
the generally are in good spirits. II Is 10 be re
greted that the Massachusetts, troops were mustered
for only three months as l learn from conversation
with several of them that considerable number VII
return TO their homes when the three months hav
elapsed. BY that time they will have become exceii,n
soldiers.