The New York herald., 1862-01-12
OPERATIONS on THE COAST.
o,,,, coRREsP,2 ,2NDENcE.
0vJR NAVAL No Azrr mn

UNITED STA. RAes al.
on BrAUroRr, n c., Dec. '2.s~,,,
1As Fled at Beaufort, NORTH carolina-TAe ESsc sa.
ofhe misunderstanding TO Break the Aonotony-t ~.
able Acquisition Of Arrival Of the Seame'
Rhode hland with Prise-Our Volunteer Nary-WAa
II Is Composed Of-F5vt Nacon-Preparing for Action
Capture of the British Schooner Fanny CampbelI-A Sus
ricious Cdrgo-Buoying Out the Channel, de-, de-
again writo to you from this station where New York
srs suppose very seldom hear FROM When last wrote
to you all alone but at the present time have
quite little feet hero. II consists Of the sdowhee
teamsr State Of Georgia, eight broadsids guns and
red cannon the forecaste the propeller Abatross
agship) guns the propeller Mount Vernon three
guns (Which has run down to Wilmington, but will be
back before you receive ths) the bark Gemsbok, six
guns and ourselves which, mention last through polite
ncss There Is strict blockade maintained here, and
craft the size Of eggshe could not u without be-
ing brought to before she we'll out Of the harbor
We are lying In the ship channel, directly abreast Of
Fort Macon, about two and half miles distant from it,
near enough to send hyng compliments" If we feel so
inclined There ara three large vessels inside the fort.
waiting patiently to be taken.
We have received orders to remain hore as battery
and on NO account to leave station During the day
we have twd men the masthead and at night we keep
regular sea watch have lookout stationed on the top
gallant f0recaste Su ONO eacu On Bun ~ sne ss oi
and port sides Of the chip
Quite little Incident happened to US on the night OF
the 22d Of November. had turned in early, and was
awakened about haspast eleven O'Clock by the noise OF
men moving, and the carrying Of arms, &C., from tho
lower to the upper deck got deck quick as pos
sbc and perceived large boat approaching US from the
shore which the lookout had hailed II soon came along
side and turned out TO freight OF Eve negroes, who
had taken leg bail from their masters In Beaufort and
had succeeded passing the fort and eecting their es
cape, bringing with them splendid boat, worth about
two hundred dollars which we have appropriated for
Uncle Sans benefit and jug Of whiskey which was
Immediately seized upon and emptied overheard
Among the contrabands is one who is quite valuable
acquisition, and whom hope soon to nnd good use
for He no, intelligent looking negro, named Cesar
pilot on this We have already had specimen Of
his knowledge Of this place. in bringing US as near to the
fort we are. There Is also good carpenter among
them In fact they five fine specimens Of the AZ
rican racc as you could flnd. From tho lst TO the
4h OF this month had pretty cold weather,
but since that time we have been favored with such
days as you would expect in May in New York. hope
will continue but this coast you cannot depend on
the weather for four hours One moment It rs ine ana
is blowing gale, with such sea as Is anything but
pleasant to city bred stomach.
On the morning Of the 9th large steamer was re-
ported in sight She proved TO be the Rhode Island hav
ing In tow schooner (he Phsnom) which was orought
in here not having satisfied her overauers that an was
correct board of her. She was sailing under English
colors.
Tho Rhode Island brought letters and newspapers as
late as the 4th inst The OF the capture VI the
rebel emssaries Mason and Slidell received with
much enthusiasm board, and caused many remarks TO
be made on tho repeated successes OF our navy ana
now as have mentioned this, allow me to say few
words about navy, especially tho volunteer navy
The volunteer navy Is composed Of men who have
been all their lives at sea, and mostly In the merchant
service The officers have generally commanded vessels
themselves, and are, consequently tnorougn seanen:
Take for exanrle our own ship Our Captain Lieutenant
In the navy all his fe and therefore does not yet know
oil the points Of discipline appsraming to ship cf-war
as well as an officer who has been through all the
different grades from midshpman 70 a lieutenant;
but he is possessed Of two things which, IN my
opinion, emnonty ft him for naval officer. He
Is o frst rate seaman and gentleman In manner
and education Then he has zeal for the we fight
for which am inclined think great many Of cur rcgu
lar naval officers would do well to initiate. And so
suppose with most Of our volunteer officers, who
hoat and soul in their country cause The thought has
struck many times, that IL some OF our large vessels
commanded by officers who have been all their lives in
the navy had shown mrch energy and determination
10 do for the such ships as this have very Row
vessels f any, would have succeeded in escaping their
vigilance: our Commerce would not have suffered IL
did from their pirate ships and the southern rebels ana
traitors would not have 80 much cause to tax OF ap
peang England France TO remove tho blockade on
the grounds OF lis insufccncy. But enough of this
intended merely TO give you news OF what s going on
hoard many sueers in New York before leaving at our
volunteer navy, and could not help saying this when
got chance.
Fort Macon which commands the entrance to this har.
bor mounts (as far udgc) about thirty or thirty
FIVE guns We TO not know what their caibre s, but
haveno doubt We will fad out before long The rebel
rag floats over the battements every day. and often
tho wish expressed that would be allowed to 60 in and
place far noblsr and more glorious flag above II.
We are getting everything in ordcr that, at any
moment we may have boats In readiness for what
ever service they may be sent Our ships company
s In great part divided among our ve boats, and tbs
one which the negroes came aboard in will, hope, dc
good service against her former owners We exroct tha
this place will soon be attacked and hope that my Ne
York friends will, whom paying their New Years calls
congratulate another victory gained anote
lost sheep brought back 10 the fold from which bat
strayed Both the "beau-forts" must belong 10 U.s.
SATURDAY, Dec. l4--0 p. NJ.
This morning at daylight wo sighted schooner. w
Immediately communicated with the steamer State Q
Georgia. who started in pursuit. ovcrhaulsd her
brought her in here this AFTERNOON. She is named th
Fanny Campbell and is loaded with salt, blankets AM
small arms. Her captain says she Is from Liverpool
bound for Havana; but as Is rather suspicious carg
for such market will give her chance to discharge
In New York where have doubt she viii get the pric
for New York tomorrow, with one Of our officers ans
three men aboard Of her ss prize crew.
Tonight boats, with Cesar Burns Zone Of tho con
trabGn6s) pilot, will buoy out the channel We arr
all ready that operation now, that when the 1co
comes which expsct daily, they will have nothing Il
do but 20 in and tako tho fort
We expected the steamer Rcd Rover hcrc to-day TO jo
In my next letter hope 10 send you full and faithful
account Of tho and capture OF Fort Macon
Beaufort, N. c. "s-T