The New York herald., 1862-03-20

remain in st. Augustine, about nth OF the inhabit
ants having fed believe that there many citizens
who are silently opposed 70 il, and s larger number
who care very little about tho matter. l think that
nearly all the acquesce in the condition Of affairs
establishing There much violent and pes
tilsut feeling among the Thoy 70 mistake
for courage, and have theatrical desire TO
figure as heroines Their minds have, doubtless been
ed with the falsehoods ndustriously circulated IN
regard TO the lust and hatred OF troops On tho
night before our arrival party Of women assembled in
that might not Be used 10 support the old flag The
men seemed anxious to conc'liate In every way:
There is great scarcity Of provisions In the place.
There seems to be no money except the wrechcd paper
currency OF the rebellion and much poverty exists.
,hrtytwo Founders S 600 pounds and two eight inch
howitzsrs OF 600 pounds with shot and some
powder; There are number Of very old guns in tho
fort useless and not mounted. Several good guns
taken away some months ago to arm batteries at other
harbos The garrison OF the place went from st. Angus
tine at midnight the 10th for smyrna whore arc said
be about 500 troops, battery tho steamer Carolina
and . considerable quantity of arms and ammunition.
tits very positively stated that the ovener has ordered
the abandonment Of East Florida. ana proposes 70
make q stand near Apalachicoa. Mr.. Denns, Of the
Coast Survey who accompanied me, rendered me much
valuable aid. have the honor to he, very respect
fully, G. r. p. RODuERs, Commander.
10 Flag Officer s. F. DUPONT Commanding South At
lantic Blockading Squadron
REPORT OF LIEUT.. STEVENS TO CON. DUPONT.
UNITED STATES GuNBoAr OTTAWA,
Ofr JAcsoxvnLx, March 10, 1862. +
To Flag Ofcer s. T. DUPONT Commanding South Atlantic
Blockadins Squadron -
SRI succeeded in crossing the bar with this vessel.
the Seneca and Pcbna the day before yesterday about
four O'Clock, having water TO spare under kees
The Smith arrived half hour afterwards aud crossed
without pilot and 1t necessary to make arrange
monts to land company Of soldiers or the protection of
the guns before leaving the entrance OF the river
found too lao TO up this place. That evening"
ten o'clock, discovered large lrss bearing west
northwest from the anchorage which proved TO be-
my arrival here tho burning Of mills houses and proper
belonging to Northern with suspected Union
clivics. burned by order OF tho rebel commander.
left Mayport YESTERDAY with the vessels for this
point ordering the Ellen to stop at ohs Bluff and take
board the guns and munitions Of war at that point
and Afterwards to rcioin me here, which mission
successfully accomplished. We succeeded in reaching
Jacksonville without difficulty and at every house. save
one found evidences Of peaceful demons raions and
tho corporate ' authorities. through 5. I L. BUR- Bur
ritt, ESQ.,. came of with flag OF truce, and
gave up tho town. From conversation with intelligent
citizens, find that tho inhabitants seeking and
waiting for the protection Of flag; that they do not
fear u.s. but their people, and from the occupation
ties are improved, great results will follow. Many Of
tho citizens have fed many remain and there reason
to believe most Of them will return have just heard
the municipal government has been restored. Very
respectfully, &C., I. III. STEVENS,
Lieutenant Commanding, senior officer present.
despatch from Flag Officer 8. y. Dupont dated March
Is, on 81. Augustns, contains the following
Further information from the st. Johns river is salts
factory The burning Of the valuable mills and lumber
with the fine hotel at Jacksonville and the house OF
Robinson, Union man by order OF tho rebel Gen Trs
por who after ingoriousy flying with his forces the
town. with every considerable Of deencc at hand
sont large detachment back for this ncendery purpose
on discovering that gunboats had not been able on
their FIRST arrival, to cross the bar.
LIEUTENANT RuTND TO COMMODORE DUPONT.
UNITED STATS STEAMER CRUSADER, I
NORTH EDisTo, March 3, 1862. I
SiR-On the 23d u received Information that the
enemy was building battery at Bear Bluff opposite
White Point. On tihpght cf the 24th accompanied by
Lieutenant PrsntisA went up In our dngy with three
men and landed without being discover ed by the guard
Lieutenant Prcntiss and went up and found the battery
IN an unfinished state and looking about discovered
the magazine found two Of the picket guard asleep IT,
got one musket out from beside them without awaking
them returned to the boat and brought up two of the
men TO secure them In doing regret 70 say Of
them was shot through tho head instantly killed. the
We carried both TO the boat and escaped without dis
covery The picket guard that night consisted OF nf
ten infantry and two mounted men, in command OF lieu
tenant. 80 the surviving prisoner states. We buried
tho other properly the noXt day tho camp oc the
Forty seventh regiment. His name was JOS A. wilson
OF Company @, Moores battalion, stationed at Cur
Flats. The other, now on board OF this vessel h Wm
NJ Evins, from Raburn county Ca, OF tho came compa
ny According to his account thcre are two at
Church Flats sending pckets regularly 10 Rockylle
Bluff and other points the east side OF tho r,vor
Their men are IL FED, not paid clothed and badly
treated. Wilson wM from Picsens' district South Car,
ln9. Tho muskets have takn from thon nro ar III
Enfield pattern; have tho Tower mark date is Roth
cartridge boxes contained Elys London stamped cart
ridges. yery respectfully, your obedisni servant.
A G. RIl'NO, Lieutenant c, mirnrding
10 Flag 0mcor s. " Drrorr, Ccnnandlng South Aartic
Blockading Squadron.