Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-03-27
OFFIAL REPORT.
FLAG SmIr WABASH,
OF St. Augustine, Florida, March


Sin Having on the 18th dispatched di>
vision of my feet to hold Bristol. consisting of
the Mexican, Pocahontas and pujomska, under
Commander Gordon. | shifted my flag from the
first named vessel TO the pawneP, and organ
lied another squadron of light vessels, embrace
ing the four regular gunboats, Ouowa, Ser ten.
Pembina and Huron, with the Isaac Smith and
Ellen, under Lieut.. Commanding Stevens, TO
proceed without delay to the mouth of the ST.
JOHNS river. cross it possible its difficult and
shallow bar, feel the ports il still held. push on
to Jacksonville, and to 20 as far us Pieleka,
eight miles beyond, to rcconnoiter and capture
the enemy'a steamers. The expedition was TO
be accompanied by the armed launches and
cutters of the Wabash, under Lieutenants IT.
win and Barnes, and by light draft transport
with the 9th New Hampshire regiment After
arranging with Brighten Wright our joint &C.
cupaiion of The Florida and Georgia coasts in
Guiding the protection from injury of the man
sion and grounds of Dungrnes on Cumberland
Island, originally the property of the revolu-
tionary hero and patriot, { en-. Greene. and still
owned by his descendants, and leaving Com
mander Percival Drayton in charge of the
force, rejoned this ship waiting for me of
Fernandina, and proceeded with her off ST.
Johns, arriving there on the 9th. The gun.
boats had not vet been able to cross the bar
Dut eNpecteu 10 40 so lne next uAN, lne Ellen
only getting in that evening. As at Nashua
which was visited by Col. Stevens on his way
down, the forts seemed abandoned
There being no probability that the Huron
could enter, | ordered her off ST. Augustine
where followed her, arriving OH the 18th.
Immediately sent on shore Commander G.. X. p
Rodgers, with flag of truce, having reasons
TO believe it there were any people on thi'
coast likely to remain in their houses, it mus
be at st. Augustine. ] have received mos
interesting report from Com. Rodgers, which
am sure the department will read with a,isfac
ton. The American flag is once mo, e hyin,
over that city, raised by the hands of its owl
people, who resisted the appeals threats ant
talsehoods of their leaders though compelled t.
witness the carrying off of their sons in TIT
ranks of the fleeing enemy. Since writing tn
| above have received by the Isaac Smith, from
| Lieut.. Commanding Stevens, of his operation
| in the ST. Johns river. giving details of tn
| greatest interest. From Lieut.. Commandin,
| Nichols, learn with regret of acts of vandal
ism on the part of the rebel commanders. no
| of the people. In setting fire to vast quantitie
| of lumber, &C., in that region, owned by north
ern men supposed TO have Union sentiment:
! In all this varied and difficult service having t
contend with surf shores, dangerous bars, ant
| inland navigation in an enemy's country,
| think it due TO the officers and men under m
command, to say that they have on all occa
sions displayed great spirit and ability, full
coming up to my requirements and expecta
| tons. 5. F. DUPONT, Flag Officer.
To Hon. GIDEON WELLEs,(
Secretary of the Navy