The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-05-19

TAs EHIzuaE or THE Sr1Ann PLANTER At
CHARLssroH.-Undsr the heading Of "disgust-
Ing treachery end neg iEsrce." tina Charleston
Mercury, of Wednesday last. thus narrates the
particulars OF an affair which we have here.
to.ore briefi = noticed In our telegraphic col.
ump:
Yesterday, at daylight, the steamer Planter,
In the absence Of her officers, was taken by
four or five Of her colOred crew from her
berth at southern Wharf to the eneny's Il set.
She il q high. pressure cotton boat, of light
draught, formerly plying ON the Pee Dee
river, but lattsrly chartered by the Govern
ment, with her officers and crew, from MIR.
E.rguson, her owner, and used a. trans.
port and guard boat about the harbOr OF
and "a .p0un~ hoWt,zer. Tho evening pre-
vlous che had taken aboard four guns for one
Of the newly erected works. either that on
Morris lalsnd or Fort Timber, viz: AZ.
FOUNDER, iifsd and banded, an s.inch colum.
biad, both Of which had been struck at the
reduction Of Fort Sumter, an 6.inch sea.
coast hOwitx.r, and S2-pounder. These
gus were TO have gone 70 their dsstina-
ton early in the morning, and been mount.
ed yesterday. Thres sentinels were stationed
in sight OF her, and detail Of twenty men
were within hail for the relief OF the post
Between halt past three and four O'Clock the
nsls having no suspicion of foul play, aud
thinking sne was going about her busines -
At quarter past four O'Clock she passed Fort
Sumter. blowing her whistle. asd plainly
seen she was reported by the corporal Of the
guard az the guard boat, to tho 0nlcer Of the
", Oapt. Flemming, one Of the best and
ost reliable officers OF the garrison. The
fort is only called on TO recognize authorized
boats passing, taking for granted that they
have their officers aboard. This was done a.
usual. The run 70 Norris Island goes long
way out past the fort, and then turns. The
Planter on this trip did not turn.
The officers Of the Planter were Captain
Rslyea, Mate Smith, and Engtnesr Pitcher
be tried by Court Martial for disobedisnce OF
a standing general order, that the officers and
crews of all hght.draught steamers In the
employment OF the Government will remain
on board day and night.
The result Of this negligence may DO only
the loss OF the guns and Of the boat, desirable
kind are sometimes Of incalculabla tpju-
~. The lives and property Of this whole
comm unity arc at stake, and might be jsOp.
ardized by events appareatly ~ trifltng a. this
Itts, therefore due to the service and the cause
that this breach OF discipline, however limo.
cent IN intention on the part Of the omcsrs.
strict discipline no military operations can
succeed.
The Charleston Cexyt1 says:
We are iuformed that this shameful PRO.
ceodlng IL dae wholly TO the criminal alb
sence Of the master, mate, and engineer, from
their posts, and that General Ripley had AZ.
rsstedthem for the purpose OF having them
broad daylight. the crew TAXING advan tage Of
the absence Of all the olRcers, and the vessel
having been seen, ON her way, By both the
police detective and Q sentinel on duty, they
supposed her on the lawful orfand Of convey.
inx cannon from one post 70 another.