Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-11
From the South Atlantic Squadron.
The Coast from So. Carolina to Florida
in Possession of the Government.
CAPTURE or FERNANDINA.

BALTIMORE, March 10.-The steam gunboat
Alabama has arrived from Florida, bringing
Capt. Davis, late flag officer of the south Al
lantic squadron, bearer OF dispatches from
Commodore Dup to the navy department,
announcing the capture of Fernandina and
Brunswick by the feet under his command
We are indebted to Capt. Davis for this out
line, aud for other items of the fleet since it
left Port Royal about the LIST of March.
The first point approached was Brunswick,
Georgia. The enemy abandoned their works
precpitately, flying at the approach of the
gunboats. This gives the government con-
troll Of the whole coast from South Carolina to
Florida.
The fleet moved twenty miles further, to
Cumberland Sound, the entrance OF the har-
Dor at Fernandina, Florida, and entered the
Sound in the following order The Mohican
flag ship of Dupont, Ottawa, Seminole, Paw.
nee, Flag BrenoilIe, Alabama, James Adger
Florida, Seneca, Huron, and Pembroke, fol.
lowed by the small armed steamers Haac.
smith, Polouska, Penguin, aud Ellen; next
came the revenue cutter Henrietta, armed
transport Mcclellan, transports Empire City,
Boston, Belvidere, Star of the South Georges
Creek, and Brig. Gen. Wright, all loaded with
troops under command of Brig. Gen. Wright.
When the expedition came in sight of fort
Clinch, the rebels were discerned making has
ty flight, and they fired two or three random
shots from the barbete guns of the fort The
shells of the fleet, however, caused hasty
evacuation, and fort Clinch was Immediately
taken possession OF, and the flag of the Union
raised on the old staff which has so long been
disgraced by traitor colOrs.
This is the first of the old southern forts of
the Union that have been recovered. As the
feet approached the fort train of cars was
observed leaving Fernandina, and as the track
runs three miles along the shore OF the sound,
Com. Dupont sent one gunboat III pursuit.
An exciting race took place, the steamer
throwing shells at the flying train, some fall
ing in such close proximity that some fleeing
rebels jumped from it and took TO the bushes
Among the latter was said to be the late SEN
ator Yulee of Florida. The train, Of course,
oulran the gunboat and escaped.
Fort Clinch was taken possession of and the
same evening the rebel steamer Darlington,
loaded with wagons, ammunition, and camp
eduipage, was also captured, while endeavor.
ing to escape The expedition accomplished
its mission on the 4th of March. The Flag
was also speedily raised from the eight rebel
earthworks. Twelve large glns Tell into our
possession, including one l2poander, rified.
Five were found in the fort, and others in the
earlhwOrks.
They had hastily removed portion of their
guns, which had been placed at ST. Johns,
further up tile sound An expedition was
preparing to go up and capture them Con
siderable ammunition was also captured. The
troops of Gen Wright were landed, and Com.
Dupont turned over to his possession the iorls
and earthworks, which were quickly garrison
ed. Most OF the male inhabitants OF the city
fled. which was also taken possession OF. Tins
has been one of the most useful ports to the
rebels, large number OF vessels having run
the blockade here.