New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-11

where the instructions were thought to be sunk,
she'll from the three boats falling steadily into the
fort but not shot was returned. From the mast
head, where Mr.. Preston, flag lieutenant Of the
Wabash s stationed nothing can be seen in the d.
recton of the fort thick clump Of trees iuterver.
ing but the field battery and large body Of troops
IRE discovered in rear ofthe causeway, and word ia
cent to Gen. Stevens.
The advance began at balf-past one. AT we
were nearly up to the Ferry, and had not received
shot. As we approach, the Ellen rounds point on
the other side, and opens FIRE the fort and into the
woods beyond. We have passed some distance
beyond tie column Of Gen. Stevens but his skirmish-
ers are emerging from the last cover of the woods,
and, closely followed by compact body Of rapidly
moving troops, are advancing toward the causeway.
The moment they show themselves, q large force On
our side of the Ferry being seven companies of the
Pennsylvania Roundheads, Col Lessure, crosses
in boats and PUSHES up the causeway at doublequick
The fort is at the head, half mile distant, and as
they advance along the narrow road, single dis
charge would sweep them into the water. But we
know, now that the fort has been abandoned without
firing gun, and Col. Leasure knows it also though
his men perhaps DO not, and the 18th Highlanders,
who advancing 10 storm it in rear at the point OF
the bayonet, are certainly unaware Of ito desertion
The Roundheads reach the breastwork first, mount
and enter it, rass TO the highland meet the Highland
ers with the news that their work is done. Shortly
after, tho head Of the main column emerges from the
woods and moves over the field. No shells have been
thrown from the gunboats since it was first re-
ported that the fort was deserted. The main
body Of our troops were concealed in the woods and
there were no means Of knowing where to fire with
ont risk Of endlngerng them. But at o'clock Mr..
Preston comes down from the masthead, and reports
that large body of rebels ha- come out of the woods
mile 10 the rear and formed in line Of battle on the
Tank Of orr column. lie trains the llinch himself
and throws four shells into the field scattering the
force and driving Item in confusion aud haste back
into the woods. A large part of Gen. Steytns's main
force meanwhile crosses the causewsy to the left,
forms ia field, ard sweeps over in an obique move
ment, returning toward he of the for! without
opposition. The whole Of this maneuyer was in
view, at a distance jus, great enough to give it a
picturesque effect, nnequhed in beauty by anything
during the march. At o'clock we knew that the
whole force under Gen. Stevens was in rear Of the
fort drawn up in position awaiting an attack and I'M
certain whether any battle was to be fought or not
II not, the purpose Of the movement was accom-
pshed, and the troops would retire. The gunboats
have not fired aimee the rebels wero driven back by
the Otaws's shells.
] have given what description could Of the move
ment as saw il from the deck of the Ottawa. The
march on shore was hardly less interesting, a. ex-
planned to me by Lieut.. Irwin, who accompanied the
troops in command of the howitzers aad crews OF
the Wabash cutters. From the first landing to the
second at the Adams House, there was no opposition
the Rebel pickets retiring, and destroying two
bridges az they fell back. Tie planks were torn off
aud thrown into the deep streams beneath, but the
Wabash crews went into the water for them, found
nearly all and Lieut.. Irwin was able to rebuild the
bridges 50 tha, bis guns crossed without much d III
Guilty. The Adams House was about four miles die
tsnt They arrived at II o'clock, and joined the rec
Of the troops, whose landing had been covered by
Lieut.. Upshur and Lieut.. Luce in tho Wabast
launched. These officers sfterward advanced along
the shore in their boats tho Feny, took their gum
ashore, placed them in the fort and remained during
the night Their sEas, and Lieut.. Twins, were the
only artillery that Gen. Stevens had on shore, md
they rendered throughout the most efficient and f1ll
ful service.
When Gen. Stevens began his advance at u
o'clock he knew that the enemy were in force on
bis expected line of march TO the fort. The woods in
font were kept clear by the shells from the gun
boats. The 18th New-Y0rk were the storrning party
and in advance followed by the 5Oth Pennsylvania
and the Sth Michigan. The 47th and 4sth New
York, under Col Perry, were in the rear. The 9Th
Michigan were thrown out on the right flank Is skir-
Inshers, and very felt the front OF the enemy,
and found themselves under fire from the four Rebel
guns and soon after from musketry. Gen. Stevenss
advance was along the upper road, and on the
lower side Of IL through the woods. The Rebels evil
dently expected him to continue through the woods
into the open fields to the causeway In order TO take
the battery in the rear In that case their forces
which were wholly concealed in the woods, would
have fanked his line Of march, cut his column
in two, and probably have defeated him with great
oss. But defeat was no part OF Gen. Stevens
plan, and instead Of keeping along this road, nc
turned OFF to the left by the road hch goes down
toward the shore and threw out the 9Th Michigan as
administers They went into the woods and up to
the guns with the greatest gallantry, but could
scarcely penetrate the thick underground, and, lind.
ing the Rebels in force, fell back. Major Watson
was severely wounded in the thigh by rife shot,
one private was killed, one Is missing, and two were
wounded. No other regimen. suffered at all.
After turning down on this road. sending out biz
rkirmishers, and getting within mile Of the fort,
which was Of course supposed to be in procession of
the rebels, Gen. Stevens formed his lines AS above
indicated, with the double purpose Of offering battle
To the rebels on the flank whom he had now brought
in front of bis line, and supporting the stOrming