The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-15

/ REBEL PRIvArEER JUDAH, AT PENSACOLA NAVY
YARD-ooMPLMENrARY LETTER OF THE sEcRE-
TARY OF THE NAvY-PROMOTION OF THE CON-
/ hANDER OF THE EXPEDITION, ETC.
| OFFICIAL REPORT FLAG OFFICER MKRvINE
UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP COLORADO
OFF FORT PicKENs, Sept Is, 1861
SR-I have the honor inform you that boat expe-
don ntted out from this ship on the night OF the
18th Instant, consisting Of the first launch and first,
second and third cuttcrs under the Of Leue
nant Russell, Sproston, Blake and Mdshipman Stesce,
respectively, assisted by Captain Reynolds. Of the ma
rines, Assistant Surgeon Kennedy, Assistant Engineer
White, Gunner Horton and Mdshipmen Forrest and Hg
ginson. The whole force detailed consisted Of about
hundred men, officers sailors and marines. The object Of
the expedition was the destruction Of schooner which
lay on tho Pensacola Navy Yard supposed to be hitting
out as prvaeer, and the spking Of gun, in battery,
at the southeast end Of the yard
The movements Of tho schooner had been assduously
watched for several days and nights and deemed
morally certain that she was intended for prvateer,
that determined tho attempt should DO made destroy
her. face Of the fearful odds which would have
be encountered Lieutenant Russell had charge Of tho
expedition and with Lieutenant Blake was to attack tho
vessel while Lieutenant sproston and Mdshpman steece
spiked the guns.
The attack made the morning Of the I4th inst,
ct haf-past three O'Clock. The schooner, named the
JUDAH found moored to the wharf under the protec
ton Of battery and field piece and to be with
pivot and four broadside guns. Her were her,
and prepared TO receive our forces, pouring voey Of
musketry as the at neared the vessel. desperate
resistance made from the decks Of the schooner but
her men were driven off to the wharf by boarders
whore they rallied and joined by tho guard and
kept up continued nrc upon our men.
In tho meantime the vessel set on fire in scyeral
places. That which finally consumed her was lighted in
tho cabin by Assistant Engineer White, and HEAVIER
Patrick Drscoll, who went a volunteer She burned
TO Tho waters edge, and has since, while burning been
set free from her moorngs and has drfted down oppo-
site Fort Barrancas, where she sunk
or the party assigned to the spking Of the gum only
Lieutenant sproson and Gunner Boreton able after
considerable Search TO find IT, the party becoming sepa
rated in the darkness No opposition made to their
landing; Mdshipman Steece, with his command, had
gone TO the aid Of those the schooner where he per-
formed valuable service. Very fortunately, only
man was found in charge Of the gum and he Immediately
velled his piece at Lieutenant Sproston but was shot
down by Gunner Horton before could obtain certain
aim. Both pieces exploded simultaneously The gun,
which found to be a ten inch columbiad was mme-
datey spiked, and bringing or its compton, these two
officers returned to their boat
Tho work proposed having thus been well and tho
roughly done in the short space Of fifteen minutes and
deserters al over one th5dsand STRENGTHENING aroused
beats pulled away and rallyng at short distance
from the Shore fred six charges Of canister from their
howtzers into the yard with what result it is impossible
70 say. Three Of the enemy known TO have been
killed, and officers confident the number is much
larger The boats then returned to the ship arriving
there about daylight.
But, sir, am grcved to report that this brilliant affair
| was not unattended by loss on side. have to
| report killed by shots from the crosstrecs Of
the schooner, while tho boats were approaching Boat
swains Mate Charles H. Lamphere and John r. Herring
seaman and captain Of the howitzer two of the host
men ship, and marine John Smth-the first man
board the schooner and who behaved calamity
who was, by sad mistake, having lost his distinguish
| ing mark, killed by Of our own men. We have
wounded, probably mortaly, seamcn R. Clark and E. X
Osborn severely nine other Captain Reynolds
received confusion his shoulder and Mdship
man Hgginson had the end Of his thumb shot off, Lieu
tenants Russell and Blake had escapes the fest
| Of each being grazed by one more musket balls
II is not an easy task to select individual instances
| bravery daring where all behaved CALAMITY tn
officers unite in giving great credit TO the GOODNESS AM
bravery with which they supported by the men
and the latter have learned to look with ney
pride and confidence on the former The marines espc
ciay, to have sustained the reputation borne b.
| receive enc0mlun
from all Sides Assistant Surgeon Kennedy renders
valuable assistance in the the wounded Assstan
Engineer White brought down from the Of tn
schooner who had been fire upon the boats
killing him instantly. / enclose, herewith a complet
list Of all engaged in the affair, with the names Of TIL
| killed and wounded in each boat.
Ihave the honor to be- very respectfully your obeden
! servant WILLIAM MERvINE,
| Flag officer Commanding Gulf Blockade Squadron.
| P.S.-By strange inadvertency, my mind being sc
much engrossed with the expedition itself omitted {
give credit to Captain Bailey Of this ship, for maturing
the plan and taking charge Of fitting out the expedition
the minutes detail 1t is to his thoughtfuness that
great portion of its must be ascribed. W.
To Hon. GIDEON WEILEs, Secretary Of the Navy Wash
| ington, D. G.
| COMPLIMENTARY LETTER THE SECRETARY THE NAVY
The following is letter Of commentator and promise
Of promotion from the Navy Department to Leiutenan
RUSSELL United States Navy, for his gaantry destroy
ing the rebel prvateer Judah at the wharf Of the
cola Navy Yard
/ NAVY DEPARTMENT, Oct. 4, 1851.
SR-The department received Flag Officer Mervine's re
port Of the boat expedition despatched by him from tn
cossadoon the night Of the 18th Of September, unde
the command Of Lieutenant John B. RUSSELL of the navy
to destroy the rebel privateer Judah, moored tn
wharf Of the Pensacola Navy Yard and spike the
in battery near by An expedition executed in the fac
of an enemy SO much superior in numbers, with sucl
| briliancy and gallantry and success, cannot pas
without the special recognition Of the department 7
those who engaged in it, not only tn
department, but the whole country, is indebted for
of the brightest pages that has adorned
during this rebellion. Indeed it may be placed wheu
dsparagement side by side with the faircst that ador
early naval history. The expedition will give
not only to those who Immediately concerned in il
but to the navy itself II will inspire others the sci
vice emulation Its recital hereafter will thrill tn
heart with admiration. The department will cherish th
recollection of the exploit and desires you express
the officers, and marines, who participated in il
| its highest admiration Of their conduct.
The loss to the service and to their relatives an
friends Of those who fell in the expedition is paint
feature Of it, but the memory Of those brave shout
not in the hearts Of all patriots but be eve
cherished therein.
am respectfully, your obedent servant,
GIDEON WEIIES
Flag Officer WIN. W. mexican, commanding Gulf Block
aiding Squadron.
PROMOTION IHU1EHAyT RUSSELL.
| NAVY DEPARTMENT, Oct 4, 1851
IrurxSA JoHs n. RussnL U. s. frgate Colorado, Gul
Blockading Squadron