Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-03-21
TINE OFFlCIAL NEpONrO FLAG OFfiCER
DlTpON1
ELAn lSHlr MlnAsII.


ON 81. augustine, Fla, March la, 1867 I
Sir Having on the ith dispatched division
Of my force to hold Brunswick consisting of the
MOhican. Pocnhonias, and POtOmska, under
commander Gordon, shifted my flag from the
first named vessel to the Pawntc, and organized
another squadron Of light vessels embracing the
four regular guuboats. the Ott0wa, Senecn
Penibina, and Huron, with the Isaac Smith aud
Ellen, under Lieut.. CONG Stevens, to proceed
without delay lo the mouth of the ST. Johns
river, and cross, II possible, its difficult and
shallow bar, shell the forts il still held and push
on To JAcksonvllle--ndeel to go as far us PLAT
ka eighty miles beyond, to reconnoitre and
capture the river steamers This expedition
was to be accompanied by the armed launches
and cutters Of the Wabash, under leuts. Irwin
aud Barnes, and by light draft transport, with
the Ith New Hampshire regiment
After arranging with Brgadier Gen. Wright
our joint occupation of the Flor ,ln and Georgia
coasts, including the protectoa from injury of
the mansion AMI grounds Gf hungennes, on
Cumberland island originally the property Of
the revolutionary hero aud patriot General
Greene, ard still owned by his descendants, and
leaving Commander Perciva Drayton in charge
of the naval force 1 rejoingd this ship, waiting
for me oil Fermandiua, and proceeded with her
to ST Johns, arriving there OH the 9th. The
gunbOats had not been able to cross the bar,
but expected to do 80 the next day, the Ellen
only getting iu that evening. As ut Nassau,
which was visited by Lieutenant COMMANDING
Stevens, ON his way down, the forts seemed
abandoned.
There being no probability that the Huron
could enter, dispatched her Of to st. Angus
tine, where followed her arliving OH the lth
immediately sent on shore Commander G. H.
r Rodgers with a Nag Of truce, having renson
to believe that if there were any people ON this
coast likely to remain in their houses il would
] ha Of 1 nr1, l.
Rodgers most interesting report, which | am
sure the Department will read with satisfaction
The American flag is flying once more over
that old city, raised by the hands OF its own
people, who resisted the appeals, threats and
tasehuods of their leaders, though compelled 10
witness the carrying oil of their sous in the
ranks Of the flying enemy.
This gives us possession Of II second national
fort Of strength anI importance.
Since writing the above, have received, by
the Isaac Smith, report from Lieutenant Com
mahding Stevens, Of his operations in the St
Johns River, giving details Of great interest
learn. with regret, Of acts of vandalism on the
part Of the rebel commanders, If not the people,
in setting fire to vast quantities of lumber and
the sawms IN that region, owned by northern
men supposed to have Union sympathies
In all this varied and difficult service, having
TO contend with surf shores, dangerous bars aud
inland navigation in an enemy's country, think
it dae to the officers aud men under my com
maud To say that they have on all occasions
displayed great spirit aud ability, fully coming
up to my requirements and expectations
Very respectfully, &c
Signed, 8. r. DuroHr, Flag officer.
TO Hon. Gdeon Welles, Secretary Of the Navy.
COMMANDER RODGERS REPORT
U. s. FLAa snir wAnAgn,
on st. Augustine, Fla, March, l2, 1861
Sir--llaving crossed the bnr with some diff.
Guilty in obedience to your orders, approached
ST. Augustine under ulg Of truce anl as I
drew near the city white Nag was hoisird upon
one of the bastiOus Of Fort Marion.
Landing ut the wharf, and enquiring for the
+ chief authority | was soon Joined by the Mayor.
and conducted to the City Hall, where the
municipal authorities were assembled. | in
formed them that having come to restore the
authority Of the United States, you had deemed
il more kiud TO send an unarmed boat to inform
the citizens OF your determination than to occu-
Ply the town at once by force Of arms that you
were deslrous to calm any apprehension of harsh
treatment that might exist in their minds and
that you should carefully respect the persons
aud property Of all citizens who submitted to the
authority OF the United States that you had
single purpose, to restore the state Of affairs
which existed before the rebellion.
also informed the municipal authorities that
50 long as they respected the authority of the
government We sttNei anu hutuB III BOOl lhlth
the municipal affairs would lie left in their hands,
30 far as might be consistent with the exigencies
Of the times The Mayor and council then in.
formed me that the place had been evacuated
the proceeding night by two companies of Florida
troops, and that they gladly received the ussur-
ance gave them, aud placed the city in my
hands. ] recommended them to hoist the flag Of
the Union ut once, and in prompt accordance
with the advice, by order Of the Mayor, the
, national ensign was displayed from the fap-
staff of the fort.
The Mayor proposed to turn over to me the
hve cannon mounted at the fort, which are in
good condition and not spiked, and also the few
munitions of war left by the retreating enemy
l desired him 10 take charge Of them for the
present, to make careful inventories aud estah-
lish patrol and guard, informing him that be