The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-03-15
Commodore Dupont's Expedition on
the Southern Coast.

The fleet was composed of twenty one
war vessels and seven transports. The first
point of coast approached was the tswn of
brunswick, Georgia, the enemy abandoning
their works, and rrcci pitatcly fleeing at the
approach of the gun-boats
1t was taken possession of and gun boats
left in charge. This gives the Government
the control of the whole coast of Georgia,
from South Carolina to Florida.
Brunswick being disposed of, the fleet
moved twenty miles further, to Cumberland
Sound, the entrance to the harLor of Fer
naudina, Florida. The fleet entered Cum
berland Sound in the following order:
The Mohican, flag ship of Commodore
Dupont, the Ottowa, the Seminole, the
Iawnce, the Flag, the Bicnvlle, the Ala
hama, the James Adger, the Florida, the
Seneca, the Huron and the Pcmbina.
They were followed by the small armed
steamers Isaac Smith, potowski and Pen
gum. Next came the armed revenue cutter
Henrietta and armed transport Mcclellan,
followed by the transports Empire City,
Benton, Belvidere, Star of the South,
Georges Creek and the brig Gen. Wright.
all loaded with troops under the command
of Gen. Wright.
When the expedition came in sight of
For; Clinch, the Rebels were discerued
three random shots from the barbctte guns
of the fort. The shells ofthe fleet, however,
caused Il hasty evacuation, and Fort Clinch
was Immediately taken possession and the
flag of the Union raised on the old stuff
which has been SO long disgraced by the
traitor colors. This is the first of the old
Southern forts of the Union that has been
recovered since the proclamation by the
President, declaring that they must all be
restored to the Union. As the feet APP
preached the fort, a train of cars was obser-
we'd leaving Fernaadna, and as the track
runs some three miles along the shore of
the Sound, Commodore Dupont sent one of
the gun-boats in pursuit of it.
An exciting race took place, the steamer
throwing shells at the flying train, and some
some of the fleeing Rebels jumped from it
and took to the bush Among the latter is
said to have been the late Senator Yulee,
of Florida, accompanied by his servant
The train, of course, outran the gunboat
and escaped. The old cascmatcd Fort
Cinch having been taken possession of,
the flag was also speedily raised from the
eight Rebel carthworks abandoned by the
enemy. Twelve large guns fell into our
possession, including one immense rlled
gun of l20-pound calibree. Five of them
were found in Fort Clinch and the others
were in the earthworks. The Rebels had
hastily removed u portion of their guns,
watch were said to be at St. John 5, farther
up the Sound, and an expedition was pre-
pairing to 60 up aud capture them when Il e
Alabama sailed.
A considerable amount ofammuition was
also captured, and the same evening the
Rebel steamer Darlington, loaded with
wagons, ammunition and camp cquipage,
" IS captured whilst endeavoring to escape.
The. expedition accomplished its mission
on the 4th of March, the anniversary of the
Inauguration of President Lincoln. The
troops of General Wright were landed, and
Commodore Dupont handed over to his
possession the forts and earthworks, which
were quickly garrisoned. Most of the male
inhabitants of Fernandina had fled, and
the city was also taken possession of. This
has been one of the most useful ports to the
Rebels, a large number OF vessels having
run the blockade here.