The New York herald., 1862-01-03
OUR HfLraN HEAD CORRESPONDENCE.

>xorkmea.
OUR HILTGN MEAD CORRESPONDENCE.
HILaos HEAD, S. G, Dec. &c, 1861.
.cArssmas al Eicn Reo@ and Hoo Was Spent-TA. Day
on the Wabash-ESrEtsment at T1oee Land-Ftr Pu
saaki Fcsg Upon Der Fltige larties--A Larye Rebel
Rafof Timber gasen-4aemrs Of the Brsiiss Eteanier
Eynqdl to Escape - Sea from s1rdnndh-HatscE Atacks
TIE Oactca, and is Driven Cg-Asrival ofsss Steamer
Ocean Queen, &C., dc.
Christmas beautiful day at Eiltn Head, and
with few it passed or quise merrily and wrh some Of
those observarces which mark its presescs in civilized
lands but with the great majority the dsg one cf
yiocm and oheeressness. The usual number OF msn
detailed for fatigue duty, and the work in sns
Aarbor and on the works went any other day
bur the did not Labor with will They felt goemy
and sad. and tho in the harbor DIPPED
with regularity; each thinking of the North
srn home the family circle around the cheerful f sde
of the dinner, when the great fat brown turkey, with
legs high awaited the opeaing Of hostlities the
war the knife waged upon him, and the cranberry
biusheS until its face scarlet a: the naked uxu
riance Of the gobber and each reflected that the
strife had made its decree that there should be no
holidays Sundays within its limits, and that salt beef
and hard tack made holiday feasts the department
the Engineer Corps. With these reflections you may
well conceive that the beauty of the day and the
of the soldiers. Many of the fatigue par
ties suspended work for the day noon and spent the
remainder OF the day in visiting and enjoying themselves
well as they might. The jolly Jacks from the of
var were ashore in numbers on liberty, and some Of
them jolly enough. believe the evening wac spent
pleasantly by all in the department. little toddy
WIS INDUCED in by nearly all hands in honor Of
the day. and the bleod circulated more freely as
ns genial influence stole over them. 1t my
officers Of Colonel Serrels regiment of Engineers.
large put up, and handsomely decorated with
evsrgreens and flags, in which the feast Off About
thirty officers and two three guests down the
table, which bountifuly supplied with the good
things Of this fe OF course the cdbes despatched
with intense gusto and soon the wine circulated;
speeches made sentiments and toass drank and
good time enjoyed until midnight. The usual to
the President General Mcclellan General Sherman Colo
aei serre and the officers Of the regiment the day we
celebrate and the folks at home with all the honors
During the eveninga glee club sang several patriotic
songs with good effect, outside the tent The serenade
added greatly to the pleasure of the occasion. On
Christmas the Germans in the regiment adorned
Christmas tree, which erected In tho company
street. and some interesting and amusing ceremonies
were performed about 1t. The tree was brilliantly
IN .mnlted by several dips, and hung with hard
biscuits of round and square FORM pieces Of pork and
beef and cooked strings of beans which represent
empty bottles symbozing tho lack OF those spiritual re-
eShments VIII ch the soul and en.iven the intellect
Christmas it should be. Certainly It was q clever
satire the good cheer OF the day. When the candles
had been lighted the company assembled about the tree
which guarded by the allest and shortest in the
company on either side. and the company broke
festive song expressive OF their intense delight the
currence OF the day. Speeches were made in German
and Joyful evening spent.
On the wabash the Sailors got up negro concert on
The deck, which was witnessed by Commodore Du-
pont Captains Davis Rogers the officers and crew
of the ship, whom IL afforded great deal
ment. The Jacks sang and played well, and performed
lille colored comedy IN a very clever manner.
The day passed n festive style the ships ofwar.
There has been no little excitement Tybee island,
casioned by The daily cannonadng by Fort Pulaski
forces. that large raft Of Two hundred
hewn tmbers which the rebels had prepared for
known purpose by some means or other got loose and
half Of Fort Pulaski. rebel deserter spy, who
70 the island the next day from the fot stated that he
had cut the oorings Of the raft aud allowed 10 ost
down. lie also gave information. understand that the
British ship Fngnl was loaded and about TO the
blockade via Warsaw Sound. He gave other information
OF interest, If But 10 the raft again. As soon
the raft discovered the beach, party de-
tailed from the Forty sixth regiment to bring to
camp, where il would come m play The party marched
70 the beach and began carrying and dragging OF the
heavy timber, ten fifteen attaching themselves
each Their operations discovered by tho
rebels and Pulaski opened rapid fire upon Quite
number of shells exploded within short distance Of
our working party but the men marched on as coolly
could be- Not ninched In the work and
throughout the day the continued 10 work Pulaski
meanwhile firing upon them The entire raft was saved
and win be put to the best possible use.
Upon the information given by the deerter gun boat
the Otawn, bclieye-wos despachcd 20 warsaw Sound
She had been there but short time when Commodore
Tstns with his Mosquito feet, down and attacked
the gnnboat, IN order possihe, 10 drive her TO
give the Fiuga n chance 20 for H. The game did not
Prove successful After short and sharp
eleven inch shell put through Tatuall's knock
Ing big hole II her but fortunately for Tatnall 10 did
not explode But lie satisfied with tho results of his
snorts, and retired quickly he So the Finga
did not get out and what is 10 the purpose the
chances OF her escape poorer than ever We
good state Of defence Tybee and ablo TO hold
there.
The steamship Ocean Queen arrived yesterday bringing
cargo OF quarternasters stores ana few passengers
Bbe brought mails and 1cs Of the HERALD which wero
very acceptable.
Several important reconnossance have been made dur
ing the past week, hut am permitted 10 give any
particulars in regard 10 them
was mistaken in my last in reporting the occupation
Of Button by our troops. Tho report proves 10 be
wrong-at least premature.