The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1862-03-27

susquehaDnah, Gud hpnberO Of Guuboats.
10 passing Warsaw the remainder Of the
feet Joined us. "A mora beautiful sight
1 peYer beheld. The large Pfigstes tax,
ing The lead anS'the Gdub6ats bringing
up the rear. making line Of vessels miles
10 length. The ocean was as smooth as
'he face of mirror We proceeded iD
this manner until we came of the town Of
Brunswick. 10 Ga. Hsre the Rhols. fleet
came oapcbef. HerOIais sdpnApdtss
OF the Gunboats received orders to pro-
ceed to st. Andrew Sound, and run up in
the rear of Cumberland Island, while the
larger vessels would run on the outside
OF the Island. This WAS done in case
there should be any of the enemy on the
Island. it would be impossible for them
10 make their escape, but fortunately for
them, they had deserted the Island long
before our arrival.a r <
On our way up the Sound we passed
numerous plantations but found them
entirely deserted In The meantime We
wCie all getting ready for actloO, and in,
deed we were eager for the fray; but on
arriving in full view of Fort Clinch, to
our surprise we found il and the town of
Fernandina entirely evacuated by the reb-
81 troops. AS our boats neared the town
they wgrs sgEestsd by a anpmber d, ladies
Who stood upon the docks waving iheir
handkerchieis, as if glad at once more be-
holding the Stars and Stripes. But few
of the inhabitants remained, the greater
number of them having left before our ar.
rival. A train of cars loaded with troops
was seen leaving The town. One of our
Gunboats fred a shell among them, kin.
ing the engineer and fireman, and disa.
bling the locomotive, when the troops all
left the train and ran to the woods. We
also captured the r. bel steamer Darling
tonfpil ofswomeu and children, leaving
the town. Upon searching the steamer
several thousand dollars in money was
found. which was taken possession of and
will help pay the expenses of the feet
We also took several sclooners and small
smacks, . large amount Of cotton and
stores, four locomotives and cars and an
immense quantity of lumber.
The town is beautiful place, and is
nearly the size OF Lancaster. Tie Fort
which5is situated on the northern end Of
Amelico Island is a noble structure, built
Of brick and was built by Government
during Bucbanan's administration. Had
they had the pluckoto stand aud fight as
they did at Port Royal, it would have
been, almost an impossibility to drive
them out Of it. as the channel is not deep
enough 10 admit any Of our large vessels,
there being but 18 feet of water, while
the Wabash draws 28, and the ,Susque-
hanna 22 f.et, they Of course had to lay
outside the bar. v asl,uJr ID ~.
We remained in Fernandina three days,
when tile C0mmod ore. ordsred u.s. back to
Port Royal. our services not being requir-
ed. Wslefton the 9thland arrived here
on the 10Th.
/ see in the paper that Savannah is ia
ken, but that is mistake, the rebels still
have possession Of it; but our troops are
still advancing, and hope that iu few
days may be able 10 inform you that il
is in our hands.
There is great rejoicing over our yicto-
ry at Fort Donnelson. and our men all
feel confident that they can defeat the
rebels wherever they meet !hem l think
few more such victories as the Donelson,
Fort Henry, and Roanoke affair will end
the war. l am sorry that We did not sue
ceed in capturing the rebel thief, Floyd
and his whole Brigade. = His time yhowev.
er will soon arrive
This is all eau say for this time, hop
ing that 10 my next may be able 10 give
more information cobcerping affairssiu
this neighbOrhood; will therefore close
by sending you, enc and al my love, hop.
ing Iha! you are all well and may remain
SO. Good bye. LEWIS EBEL,
In Major Reynolds Marine Battalion,
2 Bay Point, Post Royal Harbor s. G.