The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-16


| are prisoner and your vessel prize"
Tho second the Ocean Wave, In in the Same man
and easily possessed the skipper thinking he
had clevery escaped the Cumberland which was In sign
TO eeward.
The third schooner tho Harriet Ryan, followed tho
Ocean Wave closely but seemed to "smel mice, Tor
after reaching tho breakers she tackled and
stood Off shore in full sail. Lieutenant Crosby
went out in the steamtug Fanny and extom-
porzed rebel flag from torn American en-
sign found in the fort This seemed to encourage the
schooner for she came round again and now ran up
nag-rcd, with blue and palmetto tree in the
unionunder which her skipper expressed as well as his
would permit determined intention to live and die.
When under guns this vessel attracted his attention
should observe that neither this vessel nor the forts
showed any colors. Wha steamer is thatY' "The Paw
nee" "why she is United States vessel what is she
doing hercf" "Why," said Mr.. Crosby, "tho United
States have taken this place and you prisoner and
the Harriet Ryan prize" The skipper wiltod, with
faint declaration that he did not mean " do anything
wrong.
Tic three schooners are from 81. Thomas Guadaloupe
and Turks Island and cleared from Northern ports
They have valuable cargoes Of moasses sugar coffee
rum and fruits. The Ocean Wave his valuable supply
OF medical stores, qunine, castor oil, tapioca and
brandy They all sailed from this inlet in July last
So the deficient blockade" works and it will work
all along INC coast II tho government will continue tho
plan so well begun The present naval force is amply
sufficient to attack and possess all such points from Cape
Henry to Florida if the War Department will send troops
to hold them after the ships drive out tho rebels.
has annoyed not little to how little credit has
been given to the navy for the capture Of this place. out
Lowry, then First Lieutenant Of the Pawneo at Alexan
dria called the attention of tho department. in May last
to the importance Of occupying this sound and submitted
plan Of operations, which ardly and partially acted
upon.
The best result of this has been tho hasty
recall OF the 10 900 North Carolina troops from Virginia
greater loss than pitched battle would have cost tho
army at Manassas Tho result would follow de-
monstraton against South Carolina and Georgia Had this
have threatened Washington tramped the soil Of Vir
gna and the dread realities OF war would have been pre-
sented in the homes Of those who excited this
10 coo here would free North Carolina Of secession
which half her people still resist We are informed Of
hundreds on the other side Of Pamco Sound who will Join
the old flag, II we will but go over.
The present naval force and 20 900 Of the army
now at Washington would threaten Charleston and Savan
nah at the time Qhey but six hours apart and
would plant the Stars and Stripes upon the rampars
of Fort SUMTER Then secession would be but short lived
The Pawnee is the only of-war here ut present.
Tho other vessels OF the squadron between Hampton
Roads and Savannah. Tho garrisons remain unchanged
Colonel Hawkins commands ut Fort Clark and Colonel
Web0r at Fort Hatteras.
sErr. 10, 1861
Another Prize.
The Charles McClees now called the "susan Jane, Of
Nevis, W. L. ran in this morning, displaying the
English flag forward but having the rebel flag aft
all ready for use She dcxterously cleared from
Halifax for Tampco but the captain said when boarded
inside the bar that he from Newborn bound there
She goes Philadelphia in charge of Lieutenant Crosby
THE BATTLE OF TOWNSVILLE.
THE UNITED STATES cHAssEURs IN ACTIoN--oF-
FIcIAL REPORT OF LIErT. COLONEL SMALLER.
HEADQUARTERS FIR UNITED STATES CmAssxuRs,
CAMP ADVANCE, Sept. IL, 1861. I
COLONEL STEVENS Assistant Adutant General commanding
detachment for special SERVICE
SRI have the honor to report that, In compliance
with special orders from headquarters reported myself
at quarters, with four companies of the First regi
CO.,
this morning, and placed by you command Of re-
serve composed Of the Seventy ninth regiment and
four companies Of the Chasscurs regiment Shortly after
wards this reported to General Smith, at his
headquarters and assigned position in tho column to DO
moved toward townsville. On arriving there took up
position and threw out pickets under your direction
At two o'clock P. NJ, on tho recall being sounded,
pckets retired and were formed in line The battalion
of Casseurs and Seventy ninth marched by
the right flank, on the ground they respectively
occupied, which brought the Seventy ninth in the
Line Of battle formed, faced to the
front, and while in this position, waiting for
the column theu in tho rear, to movo forward
to the right deadly fire Of shell from tho enemys guns
opened upon the first bursting in the road
the right Of tho line This surprise created, matter
of course considerable excitement but the cover fur
nshed by the fence the roadside and the cooy
csed authority Of the company officers oiiectualy pre-
vented the men from becoming seriously alarmed not
before Grifns battery could DO got in position to bear
on tho enemy. BY your command tho detachment was
moved forward until they took position a promi-
the left Of the road and by your command the
Seventy ninth detailed to protect them, while the
battalion Of Chasscurs was ordered to advance and pro-
tect section Of Grifn's battery, which had taken
position little in advance and the right of the
road. From this the battalion ordered fur
Their down the road to protect another section,
aid again, by General Smiths command, moved
on to the rear of section stationed at Langly 8
tavern. The guns Of the enemy having been
slenced, were directed to proceed homeward,
which did. We joined at tho head
quarters of General Smith by the Seventy ninth,
and returned to quarters at about half past five p M
without the loss Of single The conduct of the Off
and men Of the Seventy ninth while under my
msad in the highest degree praisewOrthy. They
gave undoubted evidence Of their bravery resoute
ness.
Great credit is also due to the young and inexperienced
officers and soldiers of the Chasscur battalion Consider
ing that this the first fire to which they were ever
exposed their conduct was surprisingly cool and dobo
rate commend them, therefore, to your favorable
tice in connection with the noble Highlandcrs.
with high regard, &c, have the honor to subscribe
myself your very obedient servant
ALEXANDER ShAIER,
Lieut. Col. First regiment United States Chasscurs.