The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-20
OUR STEAMER RHODE ISLAND CORRESPON.
DENrE

UNITED STATES STEAMER RHODE IsLAND,l
Nov 10, 1861. !
Orhauling Fishing Schooner--Fshing Vessels in TIE
Service Of The Rebes-The Rebel Attempt Santa Rosa
Lldmd-S,gnals from the Fbr-Disperson Of the Rebels
Delinquent So,diers-Capure Of British Schooner Run
ming the Blockade, dc.
No opportunity occurring Of sending you letter since
my last dated Key West via Havana, have been obliged
to the following items until arrival here.
Nothing Of interest occurred after departure from
Key West SOUTH until arrived in latitude % degrees
Al minutes NORTH longitude SO degrees minutes west
where the fishing schooner Aristdes ovorhauled and
taken as prize The captain and crew were all creole
Frenchmcn and Spanards and stated that they were on
fishing cruise, with pass from Colonel French at Key
West. From the statements Of one Of men-who had
formerly sailed in her--that she owned in st. Marks
under another name and the suspicious circumstance Of
her being forty miles out Of her limits considered
ourselves justified in taking possession of her and sending
her. in charge OF officer and fve mon, to Key West
There is doubt that many Of the fishing vessels
employed by the rebels to carry dispatches, &C.. along
the coast and cruisers cannot be too careful
aiming them On the 2Sh ut arrived at Fort Pckens
Just as the anchor let go eleven P. NJ wo OBJ
served signal rockets from the fort but unable
make out their meaning until boat from the Colorado
brought word that the rebels wore landing from two
steamers Santa Rosa island, to make an attack Or
ders issued for the Colorado and ship to get
under way Immediately and in close to the beach
assist in repelng them. The excitement on board
Of our ship intense as all supposed we
would at length have an opportunity OF getting
shot at the enemy. pilot having been
sent the fort started the engine and stood in for
the beach opposite to where supposed they land
ing but movement was seen. All hands remained at
quarters during the night set of expcctn Mcawbers
waiting for something to turn up-whch am sorry 70
say didn't We heard the next day that the rebels had
landed, but informed by signals from Fort AcRae
that steamer had arrived and was going in TO attack
Them they retreated to their steamers and returned to
the Navy Yard II stated that there arc ten thousand
men in and around the Navy Yard while our
force amounts TO about one thousand five hundred.
On the Goth spoke the Mississippi OF Mobile. She reports
that the rebels erecting heavy bate les the point
boat from the Mississippi sent ashore TO reconnore,
very near being cut OF by party Of rebels, and
only saved themselves by hasty retreat On tho 3Oth
arrived at Ship Island where found the frgato
mac, steamer Massachusetts and ship National Guard
No movement has been made by the rebels since the
the 10th Of September Our small force
the ships engaged repairing the and putting
the island state OF defence. Troops are much
required here, and surprise expressed that have
been sent the from the SHIPS Sufficient to
guard AL the points II appears that the rebel command
thought we intended attack with large force and
in consequence set fire TO all the buildings aud embarked
his men and guns on steamers sent from New Orleans
The possession OF this island is Of great value the
government peing y o, ADAPTED ior depot for
the Potomac guard was sent on shore, who
found them asleep in the woods and captured
them They will be tried by court martial and probably
hung The steamer Massachusetts had qusa severe en-.
gagcment the 10th ult. with rebel called tho
Florida II appears that while the Massachusetts ,as
lying anchor Mississippi Sound steamer came down
towards her, and fred first blank cartridge and then
shot across her bows, challenge TO fight The Mas.
sachusets waa Immediately got under way and
headed for her adversary, who kept up q brisk Are
from large rifed gun amidshps Tho third
shot from the Florida struck the Massachusetts
aft and penetrated her side, smashing in its course
the wardroom table and knocking four staterooms into
one, but fortunately without killing njuring any one
opened fire with her large gun and after few shots
sienced the guns of the enemy, who re.reated Tho
Florida described very handsome yegtel bnit in
New York some years ago, and is supposed have lust
returned from Mobile, where she had taken n number
OF red guns sent from the foundry at New Orleans Il
is reported that the rebels are turning out
large numbers Of riAed guns at New Orleans and
Mississippi City. On the 18th ult the steamer South Ca
rolina made valuable prize twenty five miles of Mobile
Tho schooner Edward Barnard, loaded with six hundred
barrels turpentne succeeded in getting out past the block
ade at half past fourP. NJ and had the onr when
the South Carolina overhauled her took her in charge
The schooner owned by British subject had register
and sailed under the British flag bound TO Nassau Mr.
&Watson, her owner and the sailing master Wright were
taken on board and sent up in ship. Tho sailing
master states that two vessels sailed the day before he
left and succeeded in getting to unmolested was
unable obtain any additional particulars Of the Hghtat
Pass a p04tre except that tho batorng ram was da.
mayed by shot from the Richmond oblizcl to 20 into
dock at New Orleans. Captain Pope, OF the Rchmt nd
AID Captain Handy OF the Vncennes have been relieved
by Captain Ellison, Of the r. r. CayIer and Iieucnaut
Samuel Marcy Of the Potomac, and return IN our ship