The New York herald., 1861-12-30

not seen the copies Of tho papers containing the
above information unable to give their conectures
IS 70 the origin Of the hre But my informant, William
Hamilton, master Of the Seneca was tho impression
that the papers stated that tho fire the work Of an
incsndary. But TO return to the Reconnaissance The
gunboats proceeded short distance further up the river
and discovered rebel ancampment OF four Ave hun
dred men, negro had previously informed our officers
that the rebels had hastily fed from M 30 forces
iandcd and took possession Of IT, On al sides were
found evidences Of most hasty and shameful flight
Swords, pistols, tent furniture and everything that
would add 10 tho comfort the officers were found In
abundance. Forty-nve tents were taken and brought
here. and storohouse full Of bacon and homny. which
wore also taken. The camp destroyed. house in
which rebel picket concealed was sheled by the
Seneca, and the rebels driven out and put TO flight.
sioop, containing cotton and other staples Of some
value, was captured before the force returned Alto
gether the expedition very successful, and added
not little important information 10 already large
stock Two crack companies Of the Charleston troops
among those which occupied the enoamrmcnt at Rockville
But they evnced but little Of that courage they talk
much Of and exhibit 10 seldom SIX res seen burn
ing st time by the feet the islands about them
and doubtless every particle OF Gotten that ncgbor-
hood has been destroyed. They good barnbarnsrs,
but TO have but little taste for lighting Tho expc.
dton returned 70 Port Royal Saturday night shortly
after the Ottawa got back from Charleston bar late
send details by tho Marion on Saturday
The possession Of wordaw Island gives us fine har.
Dor at North Edsto and cruisers already enjoy
ing it, Il relieves them Of the necessity oflaying at an
exposed anchorage or the bar which gale oblges
them TO leave.
South Edisto has also been occupied, understand,
tho batteries at that point being deserted by the enemy
II ia now quite evident that the rebels have will
lnqush the possession Of all their batteries
cessble to gunboas and retire 10 the midland The
lesson taught the rebels by naval tho nth
Of November last has been OF great value us II
saved good many pounds Of powder and large quan
tty Of shells which would have been obliged to ex
pend on these small batteries before could driven
them out. 30 the results Of the victory OF Commodore
Dupont At Fort Royal flow on and on, and become
valuable every day TO We do not rightly appreciate
them as yet. Time only can fully developc them.
Apropos or the Charleston fire: OF the officers OF
the Florida engaged in bockadng service OF that port
the time Of the con0agraon, informed the other
day, while sinking tho stone feet that he read
newspaper with the greatest midnight from the
light Of the burning city Tho Florida at least eight
miles from the city at the time and one easily
prehend from this fact alone the magnitude OF the cona
grafton The city seemed to be sheet angry flames
that threatened TO utterly destroy every bding tho
town. shall cndeavor to send you papers containng
full details Of the Are by the Empire City TO
From Tybee Island we have but little news. Our
forces sti occupy the island and in pc
hold 1t against any force tho rebels send 10 retake
it, Our forces are in very comfortse position there,
and working like beavers strengthen their words
In their abors they occasionally compelled 10 pass
in sight Of the rebels in Fort Pulaski, who Invariably
open upon men, thus far without any serious
results Otherwise there is nothing In about the
island Of any interest TO the public.
understand that Flag Officer Dupont has despatched
gunboat to Warsaw Inlet Sound TO blockade that
trance to Savannah well TO prevent the rebels
| making any new movement towards Tybee. Ossabcw
sound will be attended TO in the short
tme and fast esss placed q. the Flag 0eert
disposition be viii block up every little inlet the coast
The United States steamer Santiago dc Cuba, ten guns
arrived from Havana, sixty hours passage with special
dispatches Of tho highest Importance to Flag Officer
Dupont from the United States Consul Havana also with
dispatches for the government at Washington She aso
brought dispatches from the American Consul at Nassau
New Providence relating TO transactions Of British Gu
cas at the latter place, involving questions Of the most
vital interest to our government and flag presumc you
have received via Havana the full particulars Of the
pleasant difficulty between Consul and Naval Repre-
| sentative at Nassau and the British authorities.
II that the Engeh authorities refused TO alow
] a coal ship belonging to our government to give
coal TO vessels in that harbor, TO place the
| coal shore for the purpose. This action
| gave rise to exchange Of several warm communca
tions between Consul and the Governor Of the island
Our Consul drew the attention Of the Governor to th
fact that that moment the Gladiator was lay
ing in port loaded with arms and munitions of war; vel
known be owned by and destined for the rebel govern
ment. No objection TO her presence had been made by
the Governor and he we'll knew that the articles contra
band Of being transferred to schooners along
siie which openly sailed for Southern ports, to cudc
possible, the blockade and licy convey the h,
rebels In violation Of the professcd neutrality Of Grea
Britain. lie also called the Governors attention Tic
fact that the steamer Isabel In port with larc,
cargo Of cotton that her flag had been Illegally changed
that she was then coaing for voyage to England
that notice Of this violation Of tho principles la
Gown ay the Governor in his communication to the Con
mi, controlling his action, had been taken by ,he a
thortcs. He pointed out the manifest Injustice OF tn
thing, and the partiality shown the rebcg. The cor
rcspendencs then closed, and will be submitted th
| government al Washington.
No who has not been in Nassau reali2
| the true character Of the feeling among tn
authorities inhabitants towards the United States
They hate tho North, and attest in every tho
sympathy towards the rebes. The latter are fd art
shown every kind Of attention by tho English, ant
Union treated in the codest Manner and openly
/
Nassau Is rendezvous OF privaeers and the foGutan.o
that trade in and articles coniraband o war WHEEL
has supplied the rebels with large quantity Of arms
and other necessary articles However, you have had
fuller details of these occurrences by the mail from Ia
vaua and will not attempt to give further par tieulars
One thing Ia pretty certain: precious little OF the Gla
diators cargo will get into Southern pors. Commodore
Dupont received by the Santiago de Cpba vast deal of
valuable information in regard to the plans Of the English
and the rebels to get the Gadators cargo into Southern
ports and has taken steps 10 prevent them from being
successfully carried out. So look ot FOR some exciting
| times down this woy before many days.
The correspondents of the press with the expedti
ary corps enjoyed pleasant interview with General
Sherman last Monday evening, at his quarters, d
character similar 10 that famous between General
Mcclellan and the Washington reporters This OF last
Monday evening suggested by General sherman, End
IL upon his invitation that we met The object Of the
interview ~ obtain expression Of opinion and an
interchange Of views 10 tho best way Of preventing
information OF military ulans and movements from reach
ing the enemy through the columns Of the press. II is
well known that the inoII gNnee contained New Yor,
New Orleans in three days ess after It is known
New York. And hroprh this avenue they have obtain
ed intelligence of contemplated movements in Ibis de-
pariment that has done great injury to the cause Ire
mature exposition of plans has made which reach
ing rebel commanders, haa occasioned complete charge
| In the enemys positions aud consequently required a
corresponding change Ia our plans. Now, to prevent
Of this uno tuuaie determined
by all the correspondents present that hereafter should
report military movement until it had been completed