The New York herald., 1862-02-14

States Navy steamed the bar Cedar Keys for tn
purpose OF oecapyng the place # possDls Commando
Emmons received previous Information that the rebel
had three ried guns position Sea Horse Key sn'
prepared storming party to land storm the batter,
and take possession, while he operated with the guns
OF the vessel. Fortunately the guns OF the vesse
were not required; for the stormins party on
landing found the battery deserted. 1t consisted
OF two long thirty-two FOUNDERS, placed IN Z
position where IL they had been properly manned and
worked the Hatteras would in all probability have
been sunk, at least driven of. aud the expedition
would have proved failure. The sorming party. aftsr
landing and finding tho place deserted, proceeded TO
destroy the work which they did most eieclualy, by
spikng the guns and breaking of the trunnons which
rendered them useless for any further service After
finishing the work Sea Horse Key the boats Of tbs
Hatteras proceeded to Depot Key, where the town OF
Aseena Ote located and proceeded destroy
II public property which accomplished in the most
ssctua manner no resistance of any kind being made
Tho following is list of the vessels and property do
stroyed;-
Schooner Stag, Captain Burns (formery OF the United
States Navy 200 TONS ready for sea- full cargo of cot
ton, lumber and turpentine.
Schooner Anna smith. Captain Edwards, 1893 tons
loaded with turpenne and rosin nearly ready for
Sloop Dudley, Pinckney, nfty- tons, Captain
soop W. H Middleton, sxty-nins tons, Roberts
master.
Soop Rather, sixty six tons, Perry master.
Schooner Ocila, eighty tons, Burroughs master.
Schooner Wye, J. Pierce master.
The only other vessel port the schooner Fanny
partly loaded with turpentne, 100 tons burthen which
escaped the reef TO the eastward and got OF during
the night.
This was the same vessel Lieutenant Seldsn, United
States Navy, captured in and fortunately after
Gaping from Cedar Keys, was captured by the United
uIf and ahnru fOn IN
enter the harbor Of Tampa
The depot of the Florida Railroad, cars, tee-
graph station and storehouse for turpenne also
destroyed and prisoners taken, including lieu
tenant and thirteen men belonging to the Fourth Florida
regiment.
As stated in my letter the HERALD dated Decem-
Der IS, all the force here Cedar Keys) had been
moved to Fernandina 1t did not amount 70 much-ony
Captain Hunts company Fourth Florida regiment Quite
enough however to have efectuay prevented the land
ing Of the boats or the HateraS
The inhabitants OF Cedar Keys found TO be disloy
al matter Of course but, having borne arms
against the United States permitted to leave and
g. TO the mainland Judge Steele. the Oldest resident
permitted TO remain the island he beng old and
indrm.
The following list of the articles captured at Cedar
Keys and brought on board the Hatteras:-One
sail boat, coppered and rigged complete; one
launch and ferry scow, four stand OF coors. five
mpasses, quadrant two clocks, one spyglass
one SIX pounder field piece hundred and five shot for
do, hundred and twenty eighteen pound shot, two
arge truck wheels two small do three revolver pistols
svsntssn muskets and bayonets, four spades. seven
frame house. yellow pine i've frame beds and three cot
frames, one old jib, one new main sheet, four blocks
whips bb. Of rice half Dbl OF beef four turkeys
The occupation Of Cedar Keys . very brilliant
affair deserving the highest praise the more because
accomplished without the loss Of life or firing Of gun
Zoo much praise cannot be the officers and
Of the Hatteras for the admirable in which
the entire affair conducted. The landing party
In charge OF the gunner whose name am at present
unable to furnish but hope TO dc BY the next oppor
tunity
Is to be regretted that the Fordas draught Of water
has
Of the harbor still her boats armed and manned,
ready aid the Hatteras had assistance been wanted
will have the effect to teach the people Of Cedar Keys
and the adjoining locality very severe lesson AT least
thousand barrels of turpentine and rosn de-
sroycd and the greater part OF the ressswork bridge
connecting tho Keys and mainland.
is TO be regretted that troops accompanied this
srpsdonG G 10 0r tine s mac nS n
is the Hatsras left there for Ship Island and the Florida
compelled 10 come here for COAL thus leaving the
place ready for the occupation Of the rebels which will
doubt be DONE and the place Be fortified troops
not at once sent there.
Capt Godseorough immediatsly on arrival nsre lass
that company Of the 400 here Be sent
down to occupy the place. and that hs would convey
them. This request was declined BY the Major the
he could spare Of the regulars and had
control the volunteers. This morning the case
submitted TO Col Morgan, of the Ninseth who also
declined assuming the responsibility. In fact, no one
here responsible, and the battle wi in all proba-
bty have 70 be fought over again for that reason.
=.
day after and that be will at once send troops
occupy this OF The most important points the
Florida coast which has been won for US by the navy,
the army ready for the emergency.
give you list Of scers cf the Florida aud Of the Hat
teras as far as have ths they being the only vessels
present on the occasion -
IIsr OFFICERS The uxlrIp STATES s1EAxn FLORIDA.
Lieutenant and Ececutiue C6ioer-Robt W. Scott.
Acting Pdyrnoaa-Thos 9. Harrison.
Actin2 Assistant Surgeon-J. Soils Cohen.
Ac.iag kaars-J. W Balch, B. B. Naylor, Josiah Stone
Rra Assistant Engipeer--,Jno. S. Smith
Secossd Astsant Engineer-Jas T.. Schaefer.
Third Assiea,a Engineers-George Bennett George
Xctins Nassrs' Nates-A A. Owens, Chss Baker, Jr,
Jas De Kay, Vim. B. Mix, Robt g. Richards.
CGpta.ps Ctsrk-Chss 3. Lohrop.
Ading Cusner-John D. Fletcher.
oFyscsns THE UNITED STATES sTEAxn HATTKaAs
C0mdnder-9eorge +. Emmons
L;evt>ndn, and Aecutire ODicT-Henry X. Wilson.
Acting kosers-Edward Brooks and r. Homer.
Poymdser- Conklin.
Captuin's Clerl-F. White.
ASH remarked before, nothing further win be done in
the matter until the arrival OF General Brannan unless
Flag officer Mexican orders vessel TO Cedar Keys to re-
main until the troops sent forward. II would be
disgrace lose the fruit OF this bloodess
tory and be compelled to sacrifice life 10 recover what
been possessed Of without the loss Of one drop
Of blood or casualty OF any kind.
The wanderer returned to-day having left Cape Florida
yesterday morning She reports all quiet along the reef
The that spoke OF in my last having been seen
Bahia Honda passage proves 10 have been Of our
own, taking short cut from the Gulf TO Cuba. While
florica was on Cedar keys spoke, poarued
examined the British schooner Emma from savannah Ia
Mar bound to New York The captain bad been sick for
three weeks and the mate supposed himself on the Ba
hama Banks instead Of which, had be stood his course
hours longer be would have been ashore on the west
coast OF Florida This sample N correct nav gaton
she supplied with all necesares by the Florida and
advised come here for navigator, but has not yet
arrived.
Fears are entertained for the safety Of the United
states schooner Pickering belonging TO the Quarter
masters department. She sailed from Fort PckeDs on
the 23d ult. with large mail and nothing has since
been heard Of her although the brig Elmer which sailed
after her arrived here four days since The Pickering
is very small and was exposed TO all the fury OF the
late gale She is commanded by one OF the most sxpe
renced men out OF this place, and we have hopes from
his knowedse Of the coast he may have been able to end
safe harbor
FEBRUARY 4, 1861.
The Santiago de Cuba arrived last evening from ship
Island, which place she left the st inst She brings
interesting intelligence.
regret to inform you Of very ssrious accident which
WILL in all probability cause US the loss Of one Of
best officers Of the navy. About two weeks two
vessels, bark and brig, were discovered laying inside
~r Al. -s.t-A