The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-26
T He NAV Y.
OPERATIONS IN THE GULF.
OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.

asa Passme--7Ac Supply SAips-Tas Burning Of III.
Einand-Sscessionists Fr9htenedA Rebel Sehoo,ser in
fsosbsAniral at the Aisssssirpt-CAang@ Of Officers
Fort Massachusetts Reported Negro ADMINISTRATIONS
manicalion Betues Nao Orleans and Mobile Cut a.
Pyises Tdlss, By the Nesp Londo,,-Unee Enforcing
tie Qudrdatfae Ldus at Nes0 Orleans, &C., dc.
The Cuyler Is not unknown or undcrvalued by New
Workers.; and, though It will BIO news to tell you
that she has played her part well during six months o.
bockadng service limited tho opportunities FOR dis
tinguishing herself have BEEN may not be unntees
Ing her old friends know Of her. and that her
reputation will remain good to the last. She Is not
well adapted for batcring stone forts regularly built
vessels, and is not likely that that service
will be required of her. her forte being In chasing and
overhauling and we have an immense amount Of
adence in her capacty that way while she has water
enough under her.
Our experience of blockadng life at nrst station,
Tampa Bay, Florida any thing but agreeable. Heat,
mosquitoes and sickness board took the spirits Of
great many; but worthy doctor to the
In this melancholy state of affairs and created conside-
rable excitement by his manifestations OF spiruasm.
One in particular completely revived US, and an
ausion to II ut any time brings mir,h and little morti
fcation. The fact that the doctor, apparently in
of his frances revealed the and exposed the hand
writing of deceased friend OF of the party who had
placed the name, written apiece Of paper, inside
scene was udicrous upon the announcement and conser
nan surprise, vexaton and hearty laughter followed in
succession the doctor exposed his own imposition
As general thing, concede that Dr. Watson is
interesting able and enthusiastic opponent of spiritual
ISM wewerc almost isolated from both friend and fee,
when experienced the bcneAcence Of government in
establishing line of supply steamers to visit regular
ly and bring letters and all kinds 81 good things
such would naturally be In need Of besides fresh
meat and vegetabics-most desirable TO the stomach;
and think have reason TO be grateful for this con-
sderaticn for When letters arrive, what u time
overhaulng them they promiscrously emptied
from the bag. We like hungry wolves then, handling
them, and hope joy and disappointment show themselves
very distinctly upon these occasions.
The waters Of Tampa Bay were too quiet and obscure
for the uyer and it with pleasure that We received
an order to leave il. We not long reaching
station or Apalachicola and there we found tho
United States ship Montgomery, and at the same time
espied, what We had not seemingly for age,a
large ship, miles inside the bar. The capture and
burning of the Finland is old story; but do not
forget that, while deprived the enemy Of her, she
might have been made valuable to u.s. she could have
been brought out at least undor the protection Of
guns as experienced men suggested at the proper time
70 the ccer in charge Operations OF this kind require
an able man to conduct them successfully.
Our steamers had ventured the bar and after
this affair our enterprisng. efficient sailing master, Mr..
Croker, made soundings and found channel
Shortly after this small schooner made her appearance
from Apalachcola. With rifemen aboard, who
feeling that they could sail about inside with impnnity,
got little far when Immediately gayo chase oy or
the bar and into shoa water. Our shot ntmdated the
enemy they drove her aground and put overheard very
lightly Clad for tho shore. We could not approach
nearer at the time and destroy her with shot, aud,
the men were principally ashore, and nothing
mained 70 be done except burning tho little craft, and
that not being worth while Of sufficient importance to
risk the Cuyler grounding. by delaying longer there in
shoal water, our then commanding officer came out
again.
The captain entertained thoughts OF allowing Mr.
Croker to board the schooner with tho boats but ap
peared too serionsa risk as could them with
our guns Our executive officer, Lieut.. John Van Ness
Phi p, also volunteered to board next day. but though
thesnptation strong to permit it too apparent
that IT would end In sacrificing valuable lives in H. st
uuimportant service, even IL successful Both Mr..
Croker and Lieut.. Philip too valuable for any
such purpose.
We arrived Pass outre entrance to tho Mississippi
shortly after the experiment of the "ram."
Upon Captain Pope's return home Captain Ellison
transferred from this ship the command OF the Rich
monotone Of the finest vessels OF her class the navy;
we learn by the arrival Of the Connecticut that she
acted noby before Pensacola at the last attack there,
giving our former captain (ElIson) an opportunity TO
distinguish himself, Of which he was not slow to take adj
vantage assisted by noble set OF officers and . bravo
crew.
It was with sincere feelings Of pleasure that we
Winsow, from tho Water Witch-that gallant little
craft that bore herself so bravely and honoraby
was to be our new commanding officer. We had heard
OF him; and, il warm and sincere welcome was dtsra-
bic to him on coming aboard be haf It unrcservedy II
] may venture TO give opinion upon his future,
should say, Judging from his attributes which inspire
respect and confidence and from his natural fitness for
the service that he will carly become able and popu
lar naval commander, and attain prominent position
in the naval service.
We have been at Ship Island since the rst of the month
blockadng and aiding, with portion Of crew, to
build " Fort Massachusetts," named after the United
states steamer Of that name commanded by Mcancthon
Smith, who has devoted much enorgy and ability tho
construction Of this important fort, which is garr
soned Lieut. Buchanan late Of tho Mississippi has been
n n nrunr III hu cfanh
Several slaves, who have from Mississippi City,
have reached tho Massachusetts,, and report that
the slaves Of this neighborhood only awaiting assist
ance to rise; they tell stories Of the discomfort and dis
tress increased among the people at this state a agas
1t would be diaboical act for any one to encourage
rising of the slaves and guilty Of it merits tho
fate OF the moose which adudged white for this
very course and am told that he viii swing Lext week.
twill BIO news 10 you to learn that wo have closed
tho water communication for steamers and schoonors
between New Orleans and Mobile. On this sound It re-
CURED the aid Of light dranght Of water gnnbcats I'M
mcdatcy upon tho arrival here Of tho New London she
was found to answer admirably and by getting in the
nehborhood OF the unsspectng steamers and schooners
At night she could pounce out upon thc before they
knew the trouble they were getting into Thus we
have prizes two steamboats,. loaded with spirits tur
pentine, rnolasses, &C., and two schooners, one
and the " other, tar, turps &c. Their gun,
boats, though well armed. have not felt inclined
's tho yew 70 seeps eSb
almost daily, but now fear will them
We gave one chase Yesterday They took cover behind
out during the darkness or tho night Freghts were
high and about dozen nj '1nss steamers doing
lively business. Some OF &c prisoners have spoken to
very communicative and intelligent, and afford
siderable Information Notwithstanding the high prices
Of provisions &C. in the South, and tho pressure
croachng all sides they to be quite satisfied
are,under the belief that jeff Davis will take Washington
Vain Authorization.
The Health Officers Of New Orleans have to thank our
ships for enforcing tha quarantine laws eectuaiIy
free Of charge to have kept the city cear Of sickness
this summer
Disgrace, well as virtue, brings It's reward Tie
captain of OF the prize schooners states that ey
ashamed Of the set OF naval officers they haven Appa
rcnty, then, these gentlemen beyond the pale of
sympathy on either side--tho fruits OF deserving the
Stars aud Stripes
UNrrRo STATES STEAMER MASSACHUSETTS,
AT SHIP ISLAND, Nov. 81 1861.
Arrival Of French SoopofDar at the Aississi,pi-Her
Strange Conduct-7he Massachusetts the Lookout--A
Correction, de-, dc.
your Havana correspondence under date September
Fl, appears the following paragraph
The French steam soop Of lie vossier, Commander
Bcnnetc left ship Island The 18TH with dispatches
for the French Consul at New Orleans not proposing to
enter tho river, taking good coast and river pilot,
born citizen Of France who sworn IN on the 18th by
the French Consul General and put upon the petty official
list OF the Ship runored, since sailing, that Com