The New York herald., 1862-01-09
THE POTOMAC FlorIlLA.
OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.
UsnkD STATES SIKAxsR SrsPPINa STONES,
POr0NA An Rfvvp lar A 1870


PoroMAo RIVER, Jan. 4, 1852.
Departure from Washingon-7he Herald Correspondent in
aFir-The Batteries Passed Safsly-The Rebels do net
F1e-Fiys al Aqwa Crea-Dexruction Of the Railroad
Depo-Spsruiations Respecting the F1s-A via to the
Ftth Hrcesor Regiment Conversation pih Co'stro-
bdnds--How they Lodged-HosO the Soldiers and
dysto be Housed-Hespt Proficiency Of the Regi
mem-ErploI Of the Jacob Bst-Reminiscescs Of the
FSeeborn. 6c, de-
Weieft Washington on Thursday evening and in two
hours and half arrived at Indian Head and brought up
alongside the wyandank, board of which placed
quantity Of stores; having performed which duty the
Stepping Stones stood for the Yankee, which at an
chor on Mattawoman creek came pretty near being
left on board the wyandank for while was engaged
in conversation In the wardroom, and receiving
information, upon which I based my hasty de-
spatch, about the sheng of the batterylat Cockpit
Point by tho Anacostia and the Yank-s, the Step
ping Stones slipped away-ths Quartermaster having
failed 10 report that she going, he had been
dered Promptitudo of action was necessary. knew
that the stepping Stones had lay alongside the Yankee
for some time, which would give me chance so went
TO Captain Foster and asked for boat which he kindly
gave mo. There a long pull before us-about two
mics-in pretty hard frost; but the willing,
and were convinced by the best OF all arguments in such
emergencies Of the necessity Of haste. They way
heartily their bending to the resistance offered by
the water. In incredibly short time We neared tho
Yankee, when the Stepping Stones moving from
her thought It was all up with me, and that your
correspondent would be taunted by Of his 'good
natured friends" with being afraid to pass the bat
teries soon agreeably deceived, however; for
Captain Gruniey had missed me- and fully sympathzng
with what he correctly OWNED my feelings. had
actually turned back for me- and few minutes
graspng the hand OF the kind hearted and thanking
him or his thoughtfuness.
This important business concluded, we down little
further and came to anchor await the setting Of
Hesperus that led the starry train, -
which threw her efulgent rays tho river The
had already SET In about half an hour weighed an
chor, and stood down the river. Although there
moon evening STAR the sky very clear and it is
also not wonderful tina. the enemy could not us-al
ways supposng tha: he did The Virginia shore stood
out in bold relief against the SKY, and seemedto
nautical phrase-amost within biscuit throw but, of
course this optical illusion. Fortunately for US,
perhaps, what wind there blew from the Virginia
SIDE thus preventing the rebels from hearing We
fully prepared to be fred into, however, but wero
most agreeaby disappointed when battery after battery
passed, and arrived at present anchorage at
Liverpool Point three miles above Aqua creek,
without shot being fred at Us.
On reaching this place piece of important information
awaited II is neither less than the burning
several contiguous buildings consumed at
tho same time Tb. popular belief among the
vessels and the soldiers that the fire the
work OF the rebels themselves and that they had per-
formed this Of Russian strategy previous to
ating the position The arrival of trains of yeser
day however, TO initiate against this supposition,
for the rebels would hardly destroy the accommodation
offered by the depot while they permitted the track itself
and the bridge which it passes to remain The fire
doubt accidental.
Yesterday another large fire In the di-
rcction, bat farther inland.
After dinner Captain Grumey made up party
ssng Of himself Of his officers and your correspond
ent to visit encampmen of the Fifth regiment Excel
scr Brigade, commanded by Colonel Graham. had Just
the Colonel board the Freoborn and ntimated 10
him my wish to see his camp. He extended to me
hearty welcome and said he would soon be on shore.
o, landing the first thing that struck attention
number OF log cabins Inhabited by 'coa,rabands. In
construction the section of enc log hut is OF
the form OF triangle, each sloning side forming
iypoenuse, with the ground for base. The flooring
Of each hut il sunk 10 tho depth OF two three feet
below the surface Of the ground and The inmates have
descend three four steps. Al the end opposite the
entrance u comfortable arc the smoke ascending upa
chimney OF legs transvcrsey upon each
other and tho ntersticcs lei with the Yellow clay OF
the neighbo-hcod-a mate ia ha; ls the nterstces Of
The logs composing the cabin itself BY the way,
CAPTAIN, Ike true booded Yankee, remarked, 'Wha
capital material that cay would be to make bricks with
al Zach cabin is comfortably fitted up with beds stoos
and other conveniences. In fact they Far better
habitatons than many have had sion, in The v.cs
giiudes OF reporters life to visit GONE the wards
Of New York itself.
convcrsed with some the darkeys aud they ted me
that the cabins had been constructed by themselves that
most Of them from Virginia having escaped from
their ont that few had accompanied the regi
meni from New York. They ali stout strong LOOK
ing fellows. One mau, rn9atto, told me his
Henry Walker and that his ox-inasters plantation is
situated in wastmorelald county. And now, prepare
ycurs-f to- be mortified This hal actually never
heard of the NEW Y,nK IlsEALD. Bat in a statr whcro
there many white mon who can neither real
wr as have iai ion to observe during the lasi
ggt mOnthl, poor negro slave may wen ne excused
FOR his share OF ignorance Amos. universal much
amused with gGc sne1men of a negro, who gave hts
name IS Sam. We had tho following satoa
getAer:-
CORRESPONDENT wha, county you from
/ SAN-kngs county, sir.
| COR! suppose you mean King Gcorgess
sAm--s.o, sir mean k1Ge touity.
Coe--Wba. was your masters name,
| Sas--Feciing Jones.
CA queer naIne that Did he answer TO his name?
| Did you ever feel nythiDg at his handY
! SAr-No, sir him do, sl feel for ;nc at ALL
CoR--Tlsts S not whit maln. lid Mr. Feolag Jones
ever make you feo!r In fact did n ever nog your
SAN (cinphaticsly Yes. sir.
Here the lrrounding darkeys perceived Tie point u
The ,oke and burst into hofs, laugh, in which sam
joined merriy, showing Of worries extending
noariy from to Tie mirth contagious, and
little party quilted the laughing da keys IN high
| ioyfneDt.
We entered The encampmcnt of the Filth Excelsior,
which is beautifully situated spacious ces rg.
rounded by pines, and little back anu 30 the left OF the
ncgro csbns, as you look from the river Inqarng Tor
the Colonel informed that he had not returned
Therefore, in that free and easy style natural sailors
made sail for the Majors tent. whore we received
frank and hearty welcome, aud were treated with sol
dcrly hospitality for about a couple Of hours s9nr
oms,cad Is a fnc specimen 0f what Is usually termed
green I'D sge Inclning 10 badness his scinty gray
1cks set on timely his high aud well formed forehead and
his ruddy complexion. native o CayrLa county, New
York and resident Of NV York city by inclination
though dr in Nisscur. for some ime he IL tnon
iran in princp.eaeaol for the fepb Is, AMI nd
visible yea. 20 blood shedding, Is evitcGccd
by his military position. He fought u the Black Hawk
war, and hal his shinbonc s4atorcd by m'skc, shot
| We iound with him Captain New, command Of COM
Pa young Engi' hfnaa native Of the Isle OF
wight, served a. iurser hoard ore &c Admiral
Iy ns' -scls ihe BLACK sea during the Crimean war
Though stil British subject be M enthusiastic IN the
49, Ernin Lhis lanan AMI 1r.