The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-18
OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.
UNITED STATES STEAM FRIGATE ROANOKE,
0EE EnRIRESa MoNRoE Sent. 10, 1861.


The Great Rebel War Syeamer-What Desertr Says q
Her--Moye Officers than Men, and HaH the Time Drunk a.
Tha-o,o She Expected to Get to Norfolk, and Ho,c she
Didn't-The Rebel Ballimore Prisoners-What Can De
Done ach Taemp-Lar0e Fleet at Hampton Roads-Chage
Of Naval O6scers-Aoout the Savannah Expedition, de-
On board tho Savannah which arrived here yesterday
from Newport News Ii Frenchman who ran away from
the rebels and gives much valuable information Of their
movements. He shipped at Richmond on board OF Inc
steamer jamestown (Which is now called the Patrick
Henry that has boen fitting out at that city Not long
since this shotproof vessel they call it-though they
have expended large amount Of money, time and labor
10 sheahing with boiler iron, Steel and otherwise hsng
her up as war vessel that would defy the guns Of any
thing aaoat the shore-eft Richmond on her Trip
down the James river The truth was In their tnEerng
her they had loaded her down heavy with ron and
driven so many spikes and nails that she not only leaked
badly but II was actually necessary for her to go on TO
dry dock before she could be fitted for praticai duty
As there were no facilities at Richmond, it was
thought by these rebels that they could get over
the bars lesureiy, which they had accomplished sue
cessuiiy, and laying OF up the river could some dark
and rainy night, oat along down unseen by the feet at
Newport News and having up, as they had
for Norfolk. where thew would repair 40. The whole
plan was very cunningly devised, and the utmost vigi.
lance was observed on the vessel TO prevent any deser
tons or means by which their movements would become
known. Absence from quarters muster board tho
ship was punishable by death.
The commandment Of the steamer Is Lieutenant j. r.
Tucker formerly the United States Navy, and another
Of the officers Is j. H. Rochelle who also Is deserter from
the Stars and stripes The former married daughter
OF Captain Ward Of Norfolk and the latter Is known as
Of the reckless rebels that dsgraced our
navy. He remarked at the time Of the burning Of the
Norfolk Navy Yard that he would yet have an oppor
tnity to take some Of his brother officers who are yet
true to their manhood their country and their God, and
he did SO, would treat them with the severity they de-
serve He stands good chance Of meeting the fate
tho Barron Hatteras Inlet be
continues on this war steamer.
1t the custom Of the commandment to send boat on
shore, with three men to occupy lighthouse near where
they lay, and from this elevated position watch the
movement of things at Newport News and vicinity
Among those sent night the Frenchman spoken
of, who, watching good opportunity when his other
companions were seoping took the boat, and made on
for Newport News, where he was received with open
arms. From him all the Information above spoken oil 10
gained with much more that Is very interesting, but
not udcious to make public He also there about
forty officers board the ship and Of seventy hve
She is mounted with six guns on her sides, and
two good sized rled pivot guns forward and aft Her
guns are well manned, and the 'r",c,sc of the
has been long and is also
we'll provided with catlasses, pixies and :. The
men, he represents, are tyrannZed Owe al seve-
rity by the drunken officers, and wouli a mo-
ment had they good opportunity OF max
ing their escape He says the steau,c T. MS well;
her machinery is in fine order; she is COTS My sup
piled with stores and provisions, but no. antilles
sufficient for very long cruise Everyt;.. IS been
done to strengthen and make her bomb proof he has
not much confidence in IFS efficiency.
On Friday night she undertook TO come down the river,
moving cautiously up towards the Savannah but evidently
not DESTROYS Of getting within range Of her guns She open
ed fire on the Savannah which was returned with much
animation. Some thirty shot were fred from the Savan-
NAH but unfortunately her best gun for long distances "a
riAed howtzerj only mounted temporarily on COM
mon gun carriage and could not be elevated for long
shot There good deal Of powder burned on each
side bat nobody hurt - nor did shot from either vessel
reach the spots The turned and headed back up
liver, not however before placing buoy to show the
range of shot from where the Savannah was at anchor
The Cumberland aud one or two small tugboats are
at Newport News, and there IS fear that the
steamer will make another attempt to past.
There at present lying here feet carrying over
$50 guns among them the Observation-Disclosures A Roam
oke, A savannah "a st. lawrence SO; Dale 10; Dawn,
9; Gemsbok 6; Cumberland, "a, and a number OF small
tugs besides two or three large passenger steamers The
Dawn came in this morning with a small prise-the
schooner Alabama--but where captured with wha,
loaded, ! could not learn.
More changes are going in ship. In addition to
the list OF officers gave few days ago as having beer
detached from her. to-day four Of our midshpmen-L
Graham, H. I. Grafton, J. H. Reed and J. ?. Bradley
have all been ordered to report themselves mt Washing
ton, and they leave 20 day This leaves with fouI
midshpmen, but better of than consort the Mime
sofa which has not midshpman on board In oil proba
by of engineer corps will be detached &c
some of the gunboats
Last evening the State prisoners-the Mayor of Bati
moro, Ross Winans, and party--of whom spoke in my
the dock all day, marched into the fort between
file of soldiers. Their faces wore rather detected ap
pearance as they passed along as much as say "Wha
is to be fatef They kept, On their way down
from Baltimore and also while here strict watch and
not allowed 10 hold any conversation with strangers OF
with the guard What will be done with them is ques
ton They viii not certainly be sent to the Rip Raps
but il kept here will, in all probability have quarters
fitted up inside Of the fort. It will he pleasant place
for these gentlemen much more than Fort Lafayette
and give them fine opportunity to enjoy relaxation
from the busy scenes they have been engaged in and recu
pcratc their energies II will do them good while it will
no doubt be great relief for the country.
Preparations are going for the expedition fitting
for somewhere. Where il is am not at liberty say
but this much will prophesy: II sufficient number OF
troops are sent with it, you Will sec the occupancy OF
point in the rebel territory that viii break the backbone
Of rebellion square on, and strike blow that will tell
throughout the country Only let Gen. Mcclellan hold
Washington, Gen, Dix keep things quiet in Baltimore
Cen. Rosecrans gradually creep on towards Richmond
gradually down the Mississippi and mark my words The
next naval expedition will as before said deal death
blow 10 secession. would say and speak definitely
Of II, but prudence dictates otherwise.