New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-25
DAMAGE INSIGNIFICANT.

We are enabled, by the arrival of the dispatch
steamer McClellap, from Fort Pickens and the
Mississippi River present this morning satisfactory
accounts Of the fight on Santa Rpsa Island and the
naval engagement in Southwest Pdss. II is crafty
ing to be able % relieve the general anxiety which
the infamous lies of the rebel journals have caused,
respeetng the fate of our blockading fleet and Col
WIN. Wilson's regiment of Zousves. The in,e-
gence by this arrival of the cheering nature
and ia another lesson to us TO place no conhdtnce
hatever In the sateneu,s of rebel victories plans,
and purposes which reach us through tie uncertain
channels Of the disoya States. Instead Of the VIII
son regiment being snniated and the slOops-of war
vincennes and Preble being sunk, we have gained
positive victory in one ease and suffered no serious
loss nthe other
TIE Mcclellan left the Southwest Pass of the
Mississippi on TIE l4th inst, Fort Pickens 18th, Tor
tugas 18th, and Key West the 18th. She is I'M
der command Of Capt. A. G. Gray, who is wen
known 10 this port IA a sklful mariner She brings
ne passengers, Capt. Ronckandorf, U. S. A.; DIR.
Howell, u. "A; Lieut.. Wtiitemore, U. s. A..
Major Newly (who is dangerously il), 9Th Regiment
NYv., from Fort Pckens; Capt Norma do. /;
Lieut.. DOryille, do; Lieut.. Krscbl, do; SteI hen
Hill, do. From Pensacola: Gait. Packard and wife,
Mrs. Butler, Mrs. Gillet Mr.. johnson, and Frank
Smith.
From Tortugas, DIR. Leaviit and wife; from Key
West, Capt. Gem, Mr.. Gillem, three children
and servant, and fourteen discharged sold ers, and
three slaves.
She also brings seven refugee mechanics who
escaped from Pensacola.
The Mcclellan was formerly known as the Joseph
ii. Whitney, and sailed regularly from Boston be-
fore entering the service Of Government
From various persons on board the slip, among
whom is refugee slave named Peter DrJson, Il
pure-blooded negro, we have obtained interesting
accounts OF the fight on Santa Rosa. Tie negro
wa an eyewitness OF the fight, and makes the fol-
lowing narrative:
PETER DRYSON's STATEMENT.
Dryson is of middle age, recently the property OF
Mr.. Strong Of Pensacola, who had him taught tire
trade of mason and breklayer, and hired him out in
this capacity 10 work on the several Notifications
which have been erected 10y Government, st Pen
sscoa, during the last % years. He has assisted in
the building of Forts Wood, Morgan, BarTaDcas
Piekens, hcCrea, the Redoubt, and the Navy-Yard
About two months ago he heard bis matter say that
10 case Of an attack BY the Federal forces the slaves
were 10 be put in front Of the rebel batteries with
arms in their hands and forced TO fight. IL Gaze
they refused, they were TO be shot Gown by the
rebels themselves. He aud others were 30 NAL
treated and overworked that lie determined TO
escape. So he watched for weeks for favorable
opportunity, and finally, having secreted skif,
one dark, stormy night he and his wife got off
from Shore and headed for the other sde of the har
Dor. They had not proceeded far before they heard
the guard-boats coming toward them, 20 they put
back TO shore, snd quietly slipped oil home. Two
nights after the attempt was renewed this time with
better success, Cor they crossed uDobserved, and
were taken into the Fort by Col. Brown. Dryson
says that until March last copies Of the Northern
papers would DO left about by their masters after
being read and were appropriated by the slaves and
circulated privately from hand TO hand, tbose who
could read giving the itemg Of news 10 tho terate.
There has thus been formed among them II conyic
lion that this is for tue purpose Of giving free
dom TO the slayes, and & general dete uInation is
expressed 10 desert 10 the Northern side ard turn
upon their masters whenever the chances Of battle
bring slaves and their supposed liberatorS near
enough together 20 warrant their risking il.
On the night OF the attack upon Wilson's Regiment,
Dryson Has on the ramparts Of Fort Piekens, and
ssw mach Of the fight the darkness would per-
init. After while he descended went out TO the
spot where the engagement hsd taken place, and as
sisted in bringing in the wounded, and burying the
dead. lie says that the Rebel force, under Gen
Anderson, in two steamers and four launches, came
10 place called Deer Point, six miles FROM Fort
Pickens, having as pilot desencr from the Fort
They landed by boats killed two Of Wilson's picl e-
guards and came at double-quck tine 10 tie camp
before an ALARM could be given by tho sentIies.
With torches and campheDe they fired the ients
and before tho frightened Zouaves could gather
tber ssns,s after this mi1a'gt all44k. Led