The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1861-07-04
From Our Blockading Squadron.

THE Cincinnati Gazette is permitted to
publish the following letter from an off.
Ger on board the U. s. Steamer Brooklyn,
(now one Of the Blockading Squadron Oh
the Balizs,) to his wife in that city -
1t gives graphic picture Of what our
Navy boys" are doing in that quartet
to uphold the glorious OLD Flag.1
U. S. STEAMER BRooKLYN. Orr Pass J
L'OUTRE. ENTRANCE To MIssIssIPpI
RIVER, IA! the Bar, May 1851. }
My DEAR ---: Another turn OF
the wheel finds us off the mouth Of the Mis-
sissippi river. blockading the entrances to
the port of New Orleans. Yes. not only
have we instituted blockade, but have
already made capture, and she is to be
dispatched this evening to Key West, for
adjunction. The vessel is worth proba-
bly, from $4,000 to 100000. l went
with the boarding officer, and SO was Sin
at the death of the lsl prize.
OUR ARR1vAL-FLIGHT OF THE REBELS.
On our arrival, when some dozen miles
off the Bar, two steamers were spied on
our starboard and port bows-then qnite
a feet of steamers. Ore of the vessels
came toward US quite dashingly; but
when they made us out-d scovered the
grinning guns of our glorious and beauti.
iul craft-presto! the audacious steamer
turned his bow where his stern had been
and scampered away like white head"
firing gun at intervals. reminding us
for all the world Of miserable cur dog
that had ran off yelping and bowling af.
frighledly, from noble mastilf who grad.
ually becoming annoyed at his silly va.
poring. had bestowed meaning look up.
on the creature. Then another stea.
mer took to her heels, and soon there
was a general stampede, all Of them firing
guns, whether at Us or as alarm signals,
quien saJe? At all events, they didn't
"fetch' US, if they did fire at us. S'ead-
lily we moved on "upon our lawful occa.
sion"-never for an instant slackenine
although as steamers and sailing
craft flew about and lhichened up so
we began 10 feel almost certain they
would be down upon us in concert In
very short order. "Leastways, it looked
So" Who could tell but that the Morgan
seamers and all the rebel hosts had con.
gregated--and really they would be no
insignificant enemy, thus acting in con.
cert. However. by the time we reached
our position off the Barr. 10! our friends
were in unanimous scamper leaving us
alone in our glory, save with the mer
chantmen ashore near by. And 80, We
anchored. all right.
MURoERous THREATS.
We are threatened, we learn, hourly
with descent from the Crescent City o
an Armanta, with docks and fire ma
chimes. &C.. perfect host Of vessels ant
, men, TO "squelch" us---to surround us
TO shoot us--to board US. etc. Thes,
; modern Goths and Vandsls, trusting t,
their numbers and strength, and tremen
dous preparations, hope to oveIwhelm AM
destroy the terrible Brooklyn--who hal
been an eye sore to the rascally traitor
since the commencement of our difficul
ties. But we are amply. terribly prepar
ed for them. and though a host did come
, we can give a good account of them In
J sure.
All alone, as we have been, for severa
days, the rebels pluck up courage
should say audacity. They no doub
could make it very hot for us. But ou
men and officers will never surrender
they are fairly reused; they are now reg
ularly on the "war path and our shi
would make an awful defensive fight, nc
to speak Of an offensive orc. .....
... A PRIvATEER.
We arc occasionally greeted with tn
sight Of nasty little Privaeer. Bu
be keeps his distance very zealously in
ide--ready for running = and within tn
turbid waters Of the treacherous Mississ
ppi."
ARRIVAL OF THE PowHATTAN-A DIG RI
:. NOR. -.
May 81, 10 P. M.-The Powhatau b;
Just arrived from Mobile. She brings
prize, vessel from Charleston with ric
bound for New Orleans. The P. al:
brings US an important item of news
am sorry to say not clearly authenticate
Of the capture by the Minnesota, of H.
y vana, of the great craft we have especial
been on the look kout for-ths Winds,
Forest" with over million dollars wor
of rebel arms, ammunition. &c Tru
a glorious prze, if true. The Powhat'
and ourselves, and the other vessels her
away, will be as busy as bees now {
some time to come, am so busy 10 dI
(making out prize lists. etc J / couldr
get this letter off. l didn't get to bed
all last night. -.......,.. a.... ..
sLEEPiNG ON OUR ARMS.
now, at 10. 80, just about gcing
bed. You should see me now, preparil
for the night. We sleep almost literal
''on our arms" Everything must
as ready, alta moments notice. to start al
rush on deck to "repel boarders."
st, meet and engage the rebels in any W
he they may choose. There at the head
my bunk, if you will only look, you "
st' see my sword, revolver, and Japane
ID, dirk, in short. our things Of all kinC
ready for moments warning. On dec
%, our guns are cast loose, ready for wor