The New York herald., 1862-04-21

discovered.
rebels ed in prscpate haste towards Apalachcoa and
being drvenfrom that place. they have now ned to parts
unknown
The expedition was entirely successful, absent
thirty six hours and the results speak we'll for the
otsm and courage of those aborng for tho restitution
OF the glorious Fag of the Union" over every inch OF
rebellious soil.
Our Key West Correspondence.
KEY WEST, April II, 1862
Arrcnl Of the Steamer Meycedia ,uth Sctoone, Rose and
Sloop Ocaria, Prizes Taken Out Of Aralachicoa Bay,
the Former ,cih Forty Bales of Cotton B0ard-Occa-
patton Of Apalachtcola TIE Sd instant By Force from
the United States Steamers Aercedita and Sa0amore-No
RcsiSancPlace Abandoned by ths Rebel Troop.-Naual
Prizes Taken-Reception of Our Forces blythe Inhatitant
Speech of Commander Stsll0agen-Qusstion Asked BY the
Populace-Jnion Feslina-Iresent Position of the Re6Sl
Toops-RemG,ks on the Importance of the Cdpture-Ne
cessity for Lssaediate Occupation by Our Troops, dc.
The United States steamer Mercedita, Commander
stelwagen from Apaachcoa arrived of this port late
the evening of the 9th Instant bringing with her
prizes tho schooner Rose, having board forty bales d
cotton and the soop Ocavia ballast, which vessels
taken in the waters Of Apalachcola Bay. am
abled to furnish the HERALD readers with the following
exceedingly interesting intelligence relative to the
patton OF Apaachcola by our forces which important
event took place the Sd Instant
II appears that Commander Stelwagen received infor
nation the 30h nit. that the soop Octava had
into St. Joseph's Bay from havana He Immediately des
patched boat under charge Of Acting Master Wilder
tho place; but tho Octava had escaped. Indications
were found however, from wheel tracks shore and
grains OF spilled Coffee &C., &C., that cargo had lately
been landed there and carted away to the interior.
On the day the boats OF the Mercedita chased
smal sloop from Indian Pass the city, and night the
gig sent down to East Pass, directing the United
States ganboat Sycamore join the Mercedita
soon as possible.
The Sycamore arrived on the 1st inst, and on tho
next day the boats of both vessels, eight in number,
fully prepared for expedition to the city
achicola and 8. Old Womans Bluff" point seven miles
up the river. Six boats started at nine O'Clock P. NJ
under the command Of Lieut.. Abbot, Of the Mcrceda,
and Lieut. Bgelow OF the Sycamore for the purpose oc
passing the city during the night. and Commander sta
wagon aud Lieutenant Commanding Drake followed in
their gigs to support the other boats.
On the arrival OF the two commanders at the city early
on the following morning. the soop Octavia and all the
smaller vessels found in possession Of ofthe
party who had gone in the advance aud in shos,
the remainder made their appearance coming down tho
river towing the pilot Cygnet Nary Ovia
schoopsrs New Plan Floyd and Gose-,As latter loaded
with cotton Much time spent ia sndeay oring 10
got these vessels he bar without success for they
grounded Ia seven fee. water.
ID ,he Afternoon, Commander Seliwagen with all the
boats pulled tho landing place Of the city, and had
quito long interview with tho inhabitants, report Of
which give you herewith. After many attempts 10 get
the schoonsrs and other vessels aoa found TO be
impossible except with tho schooner Rose and soop 0c
tava The others wero consequence destroyed by Gre
This expedition will prove Of great Importance as.t
will show those deudsd people the ruc policy of
govsrnmeat-viz: only TO punish those found in actual
rebellion and in arms against the government
INTERVIEW WITH THE INHABITANTS OF APALA.
CuICOLA.
As soon Commander Stellwagan, with all his boats
properly armed and ready for action, had landed, he
was met all the population that remained in the place
1t was Affecting sight to SEQ the crowd-prrcpally
women and children, who had been told by their rebel
leaders that the forces OF the United States
"rulhess Hcssians," bent burning, pllage and de.
struction-pressing down 10 and receve large
and well disciplined force. without any fear of maltrea
ment; on the contrary, with every confidence, and
pressions Of joy and gadnoss at seeing those who
reality, to be their protectors. The manner in
which our forces received may be looked upon
compliment to navy and the Of right and JUS
tice in which they engaged.
The male portion of tho population Of Apalachco pre-
sent nearly all uncovered when they addressed by
Commander stellwagen in about the following words
My countrymen--ror even you who engaged in this
unholy and unnatural war against our government
my fellow countrymenwo come not to injure the de-
fcnceess or women and children. fond Of the pco-
PIC OF the South but hate secession and rebellion which
have brought such caamtes and misery upon all parts Of
our late happy land.
In IL: the innocent suffer with tho guilty.
"This true" Captain Stcwagen replied, "here and
elsewhere 70 IS the result Of civil always, and your
lesicrs 0ud have taken that fact into considers alton
C-sr siei.yagen then said that he had sent up
days demand the surrender Of the town. aud to
say laas all persons who would take the oath OF ALE
glance or bind themselves not to engage in any act Of
hostility against the United states could remain in
cury and that their property would be safe as long
thsy would keep faithfully their oath promise "This
k,adness was met by your constituted authorities,
Msssrs. Hancock Benezet Porter and Father Miller he
prizes. # the Roman Catholic church), by sayng-rhe
city Is dsfsncelcss there soldiers here or any
but there Is no one having any authority 70 sur
81 so nIs 70 .1s no QUE ks =:
be some few foreigners; and as to property destroyed
the southern confedsracy would pay all loss. Since
sloop octsv,s and aided her in svading the
blockade. 10 then continued-'we have come here 10
10 Ss msreSu know that there great distress Ssrs
Reply from some Of the women-we are almost starry
cAr1Ais srrl1wAoKs-wsl, now listen to wha. say;
win spare all the fishing and oyster boats.
shouts from the crowd-Ihanks, thanks.
CAPTAIN SrxLLwAoES--You may fish and oyster In the
pay in safety long hostile act s committed by
hs town but any direct indirect act, sch firing
our helping 70 run r. ahs '
punished. II your boats 80 near the nan-of they
50 alongside and report themselves, and meet any
boat sent 10 examine thsm
Answer from the crowd--Yes, sir, we will.
Pointing to their abandoned batteries, Commander
Stelwagsn contnuedSce what protectorsyour soldiers
Look at those forts built In the midst Of houses,
that few she'll even from boat guns, thrown at them,
would be sure 70 burn your town.
Laughter by the entire crowd. and universal shout
Thcy wero not soldiers We never had any here.
Well, continued the speaker suppose you have heard
Pensacola Is evacuated.
REPly-Yss.
CAprAS SSraILwAGEy-Fernandnst taken.
RRpLY--Yes.
CApAtx srxfg wAosx--You knov os nrr victor;s. M
Roanoke, Mill Spring, Forts Henry and Donslson ana
Columbus fallen without blow.
RKPIy-Ycs, yes.
CArTAiN Observation-Disclosures taken without firing a
gun--(ths appeared to surprise them NASHVILLE and
Florence, Alabama, taken
REfIY--Yes.
CAPTAIN srErLwAeES-well, think secession is nearly
played out
voices, 'Goi send peace very soon"