The New York herald., 1862-01-13
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
Running the Blockade Of the Potomac by
the Steam Frigate Pensacola.
The Government Finances and
the Bankers,
&c., &C., &c.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 70, 1862.

&c., &C., &c.
WASHINGTON. JAN 12, 1862.
RUNNING THE BLOCKADE OF THE POTOMAC.
ne HERALD's Potomac river correspondent sends the
following report
me Pensacola has passed the rebel batteries at last
Ae came within range at four O'Clock this morning, and
there the slightest doubt that she ran the gauntlet
IN safety, only nineteen rounds having been fred Yes
terday morning the Pensacola left Alexandria ut half past
ssvsn O'Clock and mmediately proceeded down the RI
vr escorted by the boat Pusey large canal beat,
loaded with hay protect her machinery fastened
On the sarboard of the Pensacola She had her top
gallant struck to tighten her top hamper a.
much possible which deprived her masts of that beau
tu symmetry usually exhibited by her tall and tapering
spars, giving them stumpy appearance On arrivnga
vairfax beach, below the White House, she came TO an
anehor, 10 await the time Of her departure under
cover Of darkness The Stepping Stones reached
her early in the afternoon. On nearing her
Ne Yankee, King Philip and Harriet Lane, were just
having their respective commanders having had an
Interview with Captain Norris commanding the Pensa-
cola, and received their instructions.
accompanied Captain Grumey of the Stepping Stones
board the Pensacola. Everything was prepared for
no expected conflict the deck sanded, sponges,
rammers and handspkes provided and upon tho carriage
q each gun ten seconds shell and q stand Of
gTape. would have remained on board and come up on
the Pusey had been permitted, but while standing on
The Deck First Lieutenant Roe gave orders for all sran
GERS to leave the ship and preerrng my request to
allowed to remain the lieutenant peremporiy, but not
unkndy refused permission saying would be contrary
70 the captains orders. On nearing Mattawoman creek
after having left the Pensacola, the Resoluto
throwing few shells towards the battery at Cock
pit Point, but they all burst short. This was dono
In defence Of vessel which the rebels fred at she was
passing upwards The vessel compelled to put back
A entered Mattawoman creek the rebels sent shell
after but it fell short. Another shell aimed at
tho Wyandank, which at anchor quite up the creek
burst within couple hundred yards Of her, in very
good line The rebels evidently trying the range Of
their guns expectation of tho Pensacola for there
traitors enough to have given them information Of her
coming. another shell fired at canal boat then
entering the creek, with load of hay but It fell short
Al nghifal after returning TO Indian Head, Captain
Crumly, at my request put me on board the Yankee,
whore could have better view Of the anticipated engage
msnt especially was believed that he would partici
pate in the actsn The Yankee then weighed anchor and
stood for the entrance to Mattawoman creek and
% IN anchor to await the coming up Of the Pensacola
Presently gun was heard from the direction Of Quantco
creek 1t succeeded by two three others. On
reaching the deck Of the Yankee flash Of fame
from Cockpit Point followed by the loud report Of gun
u followed by another when the putting and snortng
sf propeller heard this side Of Stump Neck She
turned out to be the Reliance, from the lower 1otla
None Of the rebel shots had struck her. AS she passed
tho Yankee Captain Eastman hailed her. telling Captain
Annum proceed the Pensacola and report that the
Yankee was anchored by the buoy which marks the
channel In Eve fathoms water. We now turned In for
nap At half past three O'Clock we were reused up by the
ocer Of the deck who ordered oil hands to quarters
aouncing that the Pensacola coming down. There
hsard the Virginia shore, but the quietly
sat Soon black object moving towards The
Sky was overcast with clouds, which obscured the
end stars and everything favorable for the business
n hand. The Pensacola slowly neared us and passed
within few feet Of starooard side. Captain Norris
haing the Yankee. ordered light to be hosted. This
Was done her only coored light being run up
within few feet Of the truck All hands were now at
quarters The strictost silence was enoined and every
thing in readiness to weigh anchor should that be ne
eessary. Tie light served two purposes II guided the
Pensacola in taking her bearings, while 1t deceived
the rebels, who doubt took the Yankee for the
Pensacola and while the latter vessel was slowly
stealing past tho batteries at Cockpit Point
shsy were awaiting her coming light is
cleaning from Cockpit Point. 1t is answered
from below and from Fecstone Point and ntcrme
diao places. These signal lights announcing the ap
proach Of the Pensacola The lights occasionally vanish
70 bo resumed with increasing brliancy Is it now four
o'clock and a been fred. II Is possible that
the Pensacola will be allowed to pass unmolcsted, tie
rcbes still deceived by ruse2 Al length tho cheat Is
discovered but too late for the most formidable of the
batteries Cockpit Point that facing Mattawoman creek
end up the river Stump Mock is passed There goes
nash followed after few seconds, by tho report Of
ried fold piece from the battery facing downwards.
- signal that the Pensacola has commenced to the
oauntlct long interval ensues, and We begin to
think the batteries lower down will not fire.
Another flash is seen, and after another long
interval 1t is followed by three in rapid
succession from the direction Of Shipping Point.
Tie Pensacola returns tho re, for bright fash is
from the river revealing tho dark hull and rigging Of the
gallant vessel be that shell from the enemy
has struck her and cxpoded9 light Is below the
batteriss It is from the Freeborn, as beacon to the
Pensacola the firing continues but slowly. There is
want OF vigor the part Of tho rebels unusual with
thom Battery after battery opcns throwing their shells
a long Intervals but the Pensacola does not reply Sew
entecn rounds fired, when more vivid CLEAN OF
yellow flame than any before Issues from Shipping
Point II Is soon followed by stunning roar 1t is tho
snemy's biggest gun. long interval Of silence is sue
oeeded by one shot, II s five minutes 10 FIVE
o'clock. Tho Pensacola has passed safely.
Such the true chronicle of how the Pensacola passed
~ rebel batteries showing that sklful the rebels
ere with the long bow, they contemplate with
great guns scarcely able to hit target large as York
Minister Milan Cathedral The Pensacola has gone "
Hampton Roads, whence, IL is said, she will depart for
New York.
Isws thc return Of tho Puscy to send you the report
e tho captain. ! may be anticipated by your army
correspondent at Fortress Monroe, TO whom ! have
written.
Al about eleven O'Clock this morning one Of tho bat
scrcs Cockpit Point fred two shots at small sailboat
o6stump Neck but without hitting hor Soon after the
other battery, facing upwards opened with big gun
N tho apparent endcavor TO hit the wyandank In Matta