The New York herald., 1862-12-20
the BANKS EXPEDITION.
ARRIVAL OF THE STEAMER BLACKSTONE.
The Steamer NJ. Sanford, Of the Banks
Expedition. a Wreck.
the Troops Taken OF by the Blackstone
and Gemsbok,
Aes, &c., &cs

The United States steam transport Blackstone Captain
Berry arrived at this port yesterday morning from Key
West, via Port Royal and Charleston bar On the 18th
inst when OF Key west exchanged signals with steamer
George Washington, bound west The Blackstone brings
mail from Key West and the Atlantic Blockadng squad
She brings passengers Rear Admiral s. s Lard
ner and several other officers Of the navy.
The purser makes the following report
The cha tered steamer Blackstone, Capt ". Berry,
lett the hart at the Brooklyn Navy Yard at one O'Clock
r. II. on Tuesday, November IS, 1862, having AS
passengers Acting Rear Admiral Theodcrus Bailey
(who went out to relieve Acting Rear Admiral Lard
ner In command Of the Eastern Gulf squadron) and
several OH GERS to join their respective vessels in the
North ard South Atlantic squadrons. She stopped At all
the principal points Of blockade ON the Atlantic coas,
supp lied the vessels with fresh provisions mas,
run in w eve days which is considered rather good
passage taking into view the fact that she was forced to
remain night IN several places for the reason that
the vesses could not come out till morning, and Captain
Berry did not wish TO pass any without communicating.
she remained in the port OF Key West three days for
the purpose Of dischagng her naval stores which orm
cd me SC her cargo; also supplying the fleet stationed
there With provisions mails, &C.; also leaving tho mail
for the Western Gulf squadron She left Koy West At
NJ the morning Of the 10th for Turtle Harbor,
the rendezvous OF Admiral Wilkes fleet, for the pur.
pose Of supplying them with few Of the neees.
saries Of lite. Captain Berry there found the
steamer N. landlord laden with eight hundred troops
and their supplies for the great Banks expedition,
ashore about two miles " the southward u Cysort Reef
light, and the United States bark Gemsbok, captain Ca
vendy engaged In removing tho troops on board his ves
sell Captain Berry was requested by Captain Cavendy TO
stay by him during the night In case he wanted help.
He did So and at daylight on the following morning
Ca tar B. received board his two hundred
and fifty Of the troops also received hawser from the
bark for the purpose Of towing her to Key West.
AZ one I. n OF the 11,h, having everything on the
wreck that deemed possible to take. she again headed
for hey West, with the Gemsbok In tow. The following
morning she arrived for tho second time at the above
place, Alter discharging the troops ana handing them
over TO the tender mcrces Of their colonel and the
United States quartermascr at that place, also get
ting another supply OF coal and water, started,
at halt past two ?. NJ OF the 18th, direct for
Fort Royal, thinking she would avoid Turtle Harbor,
Tor fear that perhaps she would have to perform
another trip to Key West From Key West TO
Port Royal sho experienced some very bad weather;
but aside from that she made fine of
fifty two hours to the entrance OF the above habor Ar
rived at the ghshp haifpast p NJ Of the 14th,
and the pilot thought II unadvisabe 70 run In during
the night, laid by till daylight tho following morning at
which timc it all bands up ancor AID at half past
seven 81 she safe at anchor under the stern Of the
flagship Wabash. Left Port Royal at eleven A. ~ and
rived of Charleston at hai-Iast six T. NJ. Received
mails, &c, from the fleet stationed there Arrived at
Fortress Nj nr, at hveP. NJ the 18th. Left same
evening at hat past seven and arrived here at haf
six A. NJ on the 19tn, having made the round trip in
twenty three day and nineteen hours.