The New York herald., 1862-01-04

Aeen, Txas; briss j. p Elliott, n stcxers schooners
Annie E. Martin, T. l. Hill, Bello Of the Bay, Shark, T.
Clark. r. Miller j. NJ Vance, R. W. Allen, E. English,
Aid Susan T. Abbott, NJ Neal Lewis Chester, Preston
F. Ga Tann1 sx Young
Mercer, n Husc E c. Knight, Spray, j. G. stlle Vir-
gnia Price, William Mazyck, Bella Peck, Backoird,
We are indebted to the kindness of Mr.. J. J. Penau
pcsser Of the United States transport Cahawba, from
Port Royal and Mr. D. McDougal masters mate Of the
Ottowa, for papers, memoranda, &C.
OUR HILTON HEAD CORRESPONDENCE.
Hnros HEAD, S. c., Dec. 80. 1851.
Movements oft South Atlantic SquadroIeconnoissdnc
in The South Edso Rivera Small Skirmish ufh the
Enemy-A Negro Colony Oryamiscd-The British Steamer
FynsaJ-Ailary Afairs-A Grand Reriew'--Stone Laden
Vessels SEM TO Waisaw Inlet, dc.
The South Atlantic bcckading squadron, under Flag
officers f. Dupont continues manifest the utmost ac
tivy and efficiency. Not single vessel that can in any
way made available is allowed to remain inactive for
day The gunboats and light draft vessels come in here
when necessary, and after accomplishing their oo
ects-generaly coal take in water and provisions
are Immediately despatched by Flag Oncer Dupont
different points, where they to maintain vigorous
blockade explore the leading into the main
land. Hardly day eapses that ono or moro vessels DO
in, bearing most interesting reports ofrecon
the mcst cheering character.
Ibave already reported the sloop-ofwar Dale Com
W. 7. Truxton as being at Otter Island st. Hele
Sound whore she is engaged in blockad.ng South
Edsto river and supporting our forces in the battery on
that island, which, by the way, has been greatly
strengthened rendered almost mpregnable by the
troops there, under the supervision OF Lieutenant
O'Rourks, of the United States Engineers.
Commander Truxton is rapidly becoming acquainted
ahout Inn
their strength and the best modes Of getting
at them with prospects Of success. He gains
this knowledge through boat expeditions, which have
been quite successful thus far and which frequently de-
velope curious facts Last Thursday, the 26th Colonel
Thomas Welsh Fortylfth Pennsylvania Volunteers,
manding tho other island informed Commander Truxton
that small schooner had boon observed cruising about
In the South Edsto by his picket guard on Fenwick
Island Commander rruxton despatched on the following
morning, tho launch and first cutter with the marine
guard, under the command Of Acting Master William
Ottiwe and Midshipman Sas N Terry 10 hunt up and,
If possible, capture her The boats we're gone all day,
and made successful reconnaissance of the banks Of the
river besides having quite interesting and exciting
interview with the rebels although they did not see the
schooner Passing by Raccoon and Baiey's islands,
which appeared be deserted although in perfect good
erder Mr. Otwel landed his at Pine Island TO rest
them after their long and fatiguing pull He found
large deserted house there and Immediately occupied it,
after throwing out his pickes TO guard against surprise
While the at dinner carriage was observed
by the guard going through tho woods at rapid rate.
Pursuit was Immediately given by Mr. Ot;wen at the
head Of his marines, but without success. cart par
TALLY loaded found near, with tho horse attached,
and all about him he evidences of late and hasty
flight Of the occupants The negroes had reported TO
him that Governor Atkins house little further up
the river, and he detcrnined 10 look at that So again
| proceeded
the house referred to by the Approaching
within ffty or sixty yards Of the house, a couple
OF men III the uniform Of officers stepped out Of the door
OF the house, and joined white woman, who was OBJ
served standing on the porch They bore muskets, ard
evidently had some designs uron our mon as they very
| cooiy placed their weapons upon the railing Of the
porch and in after they had been joined by ten
invited Mr. ottiwe to land. The latter very naturally
nauired, Who are your and the reply that they were
pckes OF the Fourth South Carolina regiment not being
satisfactory although the officers again cried out "Come
IN shore, tell you Mr.. 0twell not accepting their
boats aud thon took TO the trees They then continued
their frc without damage to u.s. until the howitzer of the
launch discharged at them, as well as the nuskots
| OF the marines and boat crews, when, finding 1t too
warm work they ran and got beh ad the house. Mr. Ot
well pat shell into the house which exploded, and the
chiyalry their heels and made straight line for
the negro quarter mile distant, followed by canister
ard shells from the howitzer which materially accee-
C..iwci returned, without beat touched. It is
thought that sich visits that will keep the blood Of the
rebels in cccatiop and prove to them that Commander
Traxton is not inclined TO lay inactive while they are in
his ori ood Some very interesting facts we're de-
vclopcd by Mr. Ottwell, which are Of interest only TO
| the naval and military authorities
The gunboat Seneca, under tho command Of Daniel
Anmen, Lieutenant Commanding, has been tho few
days past In and about tho waters OF North
| Edsto harbor ard river. Commander Ammen keeps .
sharp lookout for rebcs, and frequently throws aiow
enemys cavalry who nfcst only tho mainland, but
Nadrn.law Johns and North Edisto islands, sn seem TO
o % c e1 shssS tho I
kirg tho river bank and also wood On White Point,
whore there cavalry camp The result Of the practice
vey happy Tho rebels fed from both points in tho
most rapid manner, with the loss Of one man killed and
one wounded. The rebels have reinforced the above
20 nts by throwing in nearly thousand men, and the
peg report that eight heavy gurs had been brought
ON Chafl two Of which had been transferred to an
unknown point No doubt the enemy intend 10 construct
heavy battery at White Point, winch protects in a
SIRE that approach 70 Charleston. Yesterday White
Point and tie woods about 1t were sheed by the seneca
aud the Penguin undor command Of Lieutenant Command
| ing Budd and hity cavalry put to fight Commander
A.nen has been able to ASCEND the river to point
which is only short distance OF Charleston Troops could
easily march fr o. tho city in six hours More of this
Hereafter On Botsoy Bay Island is The negro settlement
kcatei by for tho benefit OF cortabands and lieuten
Budd, OF tho Penguin, who guards IT, has now the
| care Of between seven and nine hundred Of men,
women and enidrsn "no seem pV from, maPy %
so allied Southern confcdeacy mittod or recognized
by this youthful community, and they Int propose, as
vet 10 hold dpl matte Intercourse with any nation save
tie United States. The Seneca brought down to-day
three prisoners from the P,ag In, wo were cpur,d BY
me uso,ots on Edso Island icc,i eince 1he fellows
(whtel came from The mainland TO got furniture, and
nbout nty negroes surrounded them and made them pis
oners The negroes loyal, they say aud Of course
delivered their prisoners ~ Commander Budd, who took
care Of them aud them here Tho South Carolina
negroes truo, you know, md would fight for their
masters quickly M We have all heard and TO prove
| II, adducc the above inst nee. Certainly they are
ran,ly carnng aud f the lasts until neat June the
rebels will be apt to realize the fact In terrible manner
r th, ipsurrectionary torch kindled by that time
tho negroes must acquiring knowledge and how Is
II to be prevented Captain Anlmen discovered in tho
sanu In the deserted wo Ks Of TIE enemy on Edsto, me
hdndred and forty ono Sinch shells, loaded and with
fuses IN ready for action The fuses will be withdrawn
but the shells of poor a. atty, rs are the fuses
| From Warsaw, where the Mary Anderson ana Pembna
are thero Is The Fl gal NJ 1hunderboit, nve
miles from Savannah unable u run The blockade sh'
can neither got return to the city unless she un
k,ads for tie lattor movement. We have her pretty
close and she must be Invisible sharp eyes IL she rus