The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-10-11
BY TELEGRAPH
70 THE
EVENING PAPERS,
GUNBOAT EXPEDITION.
Gen. Mcclellan in Philadelphia.
NEW YonK Oct I,

NEW York, Oct. 10.
Herald's Hilton Head correspondent of the
9Th states that an expedition under Gen. Brai-
man, left there on the lst inst, and arrived at
the mouth of St. Johns river. and opposite
Mayport Mills on the morning of the I'd. The
troops were Immediately dsembarked. The
eneny's work, situated ON ST. Johns Bluff,
distant about eight miles, commanded the
river, and was a most formidable work of it
self, mounting nine guns of heavy calibre and
completely surrounded by a thick underground
Of woods and marsh Its only approach by
land was causeway OF about mile in length,
commanded by the rear of the fort. a gun
boat reconnaissance was made on the 2d inst,
without loss to our side. On the Sd Col. Good
took up the line of march for the Bluff, while
the fleet slowly advanced up the river. On
his march Col. Good completely surprised a
rebel cavalry camp, which on his entrance
demonstrated most disgraceful skedaddle on
the part of the chvalry. Here two cases of
Massachusetts breach-loading rifles, new, and
a large quantity of double and single barreed
shot guns were captured Leaving the camp,
Col Good and his command pushed rapidly
on and surprised an infantry camp. Here, as in
the former instance, the surprise was most com
plete. Large captures were made, consisting
OF new haversacks and equipments aud all the
enemy's arms and ammunition. The rebels
lett in such haste that their dinners were found
hot, but UNLISTED, on the tables. On the first
alarm the rebel camps were entirely destroyed,
and our forces again pushed on. The country
soon became marshy, and it was found neces-
sary to build corduroy road for the howt-
Zers. This unlocked for circumstances de
tanned our troops some time. The squadron
arrived within range of the fort about half
past three 3 in the afternoon and opened
brisk fire. Aiter a severe Smelling of half an
hour, and receiving no reply, the Cimerone
sent launch ashore. The men Immediately
assembled the Bluff, aud entered the fort when
it was found deserted. At halfpast the stars
and stripes were triumphantly raised above
the rebel works amid the dealening cheers of
our gallant navy, until the arrival of Col
Good at +. NJ, who had successfully accom-
plish ID his arduous task without the loss of
single man. A man by the name of Parsons,
owner of the Mayport Mills, and notorious
rebel sympathizer, was captured, also three
other citizens and small boy, and they are
now held as prisoners on board the Paul Jones'
On the night of the 3D. the steam transport
Boston, Capt. johnson, was ordered opposite
the fort to take on board all the captured
guns, ammunition, DC. Most of the captured
ordnance are English rifle cannon of recent
manufacture, and an immense quantity of
English eonical shells were found, also small
arms. The fort will be immediate destroyed.
The following sick and wounded soldiers ar
rived here last night on board the transport
Daniel Webster:-J. q. Adams, 9th Me. Bat
terry; c. Carson, 10th Me; l.. Hayerstumphf,
ID Me-; 5. Lane, 10th Me-; W. Johnson, 10th
Me-; w. d. J. Spring, 10th Me.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 10.
Gen. Mcclellan stopped at the Continental
Hotel last night, leaving tor the field by a
special train at IL o'clock this moraing.