Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-03-14


Dupont, OF which the following is copy;
FLAG SHIP MoHlCAN,
HARBoR OF FERNANDINA, March a, 1852.
SR. had the honor to inform you in my last
despatch that the expedition for Fernandina was
eouipped and waiting only for suitable weather
TO sail from Port Royal. have now the plea
sure to inform you that am in full possession
Of Cumberland sound, and the Island of Fer
nandina and Amelia Island, and of the river and
town of St. Marys.
sailed from Port Royal on the last day of
February, in the Wabash, and on the ID inst.
entered Cumberland Sound by 81. Andrews
Inlet, in the Mohioan, Commander s. W. Colon,
on board OF which ship have hOisted my Aag.
The fleet comprised the following vessels, sail
ing in the order in which they are named:
Tho ottowa, Mohican accompanied by the
Ellen,) Seminole, Pawnee, PocahOntas, Flag,
Florida, james Adger, Beuville, Alabama, Key
stone State, Seneca, Huron, Pembna, Isaac
Smith, Penguin, Potomska, the armed cutter
Henrietta, the armed transport Mcclellan, 1.-THE
latter having on board the battalion of marines
under the command of Major Reynolds,) and the
transports Empire City, Marion, Star of the
South, Belyedere, Boston, Georges Creek con-
taiaing brigade under the command Of Briga-
der General Wright
We came to anchor in Cumberland Sound, at
half past ten on the morning Of the second, to
make an examination of the channel and wait
for the tide. Here learned from eonlraband,
who had been picked up at sea by Commander
Lauer and from the neighbOring residents on
Cumberland Island that the rebels had abandon
cd in haste the whole of the defences Of Fernan-
dina and Were even at that moment retreRting
from Amelia Island, carrying with them such of
their munitions as their preeipitate flight would
allow.
The object Of carrying the whole fleet through
Cumberland Sound was to turn the heavy works
on the south end of Cumberland and the north
end of Amelia Islands, but on receiving this in
telligence / detached the gunhOAt aud armed
steamers of light dTaueht, from the mainland,
and placing them under the command Of Com
mander p. DrHyton, of the steamsloop fawnee,
ordered him TO push through the sound with the
utmost speed, 10 save the public aul private
property from threatened destruction, 10 prevent
the poisoning of the wells, und to put stop to
all those oulrNges, by the preparation of which
the leaders of this nefariOus wnr hope to deceive
and exasperate the Southern people.
In the meantime, / went out OF the SOUND aud
came by sea to the main entrance OF this harbor
In consequence of the bad weather, was un
able 10 cross the bar till this morning.
Commander DraytOn accompanied by COm-
mander G. II. 7. Rogers, with the armed launches
and cutters, and the small armed companies from
the Wabash, had arrived several hours before
me- Immediately on his entering the harbor,
Commander Drayton sent Lieutenant White, of
the Ottawa, to hoist the flag on Fort Clinch, the
first of the national forts on which the ensign of
the Union has resumed its proper place since the
first proclamation of the President of the United
States was Issued.
few scattering musket shots were fire from
the town by the flying enemy, when twas discov
cred that a Railroad train was about to start
Commander Draylon, on board the Ottawa, Lieut..
Commanding Stevens, chased this Train Tor two
miles and fired several shells ut il, aiming at
the locomotive, some Of which took elect. IL
was reported that the Hon. David Hulee, lnte n
TTs.ttn 2tnf fh,a Afut nf
Florida, escaped from this train and took to the
bush.
Commander c. r.. p. Rodgers, pushing ahead
with the launchea, captured the rebel steamer
Darlington, containing artillery stores, army
wagons, mules, forage, Ne aud fortunately Sc
cured the drawbridge, which was held during the
night by the second launch OF the Wabash
There were passengers including women aud
children aboard the Darlington, and yet the
brutal captain Suffered her to be fired upon, and
refused 10 hoist the white flag, Notwithstanding
the entreaties OF the women. No one was n-
jured | send the captain of the steamer home
u prisoner. His name is Jacob Brock. lie is a
native of VernOut, but has been resident o.
Plorida for twenty three years.
The same night Commander O. X, J.. Rodger'
assembled to the ST. Mary's with the Ottawa ant
took possession OF the town, driving out picke
of the enemy's cavalry. Early in the morning
the town of Fernandina was nlso occupied by
marty of seamen and marines from Commando
Draytons command. In both places most OF thI
inhabitants had fed, by order, il is said, oil th
rebel authorities
A company of senmen and marines unde
Lieutenant Miller was sent from tlN Nlohican Il
hold Fort Clinch.
II is reported to me by Lieutenant Command
ing Downes, Of the Huron, that the whole struc
ture of the railroad on the Fernandna side, IN
cuding the swinging draw-bridge, is quite uI
injured. The rebels have done some damage
by tire, TO the tresse work on the other side {
the river, but am not yet informed OF its exten
Several locomotives, haggage-tenders, irelgl
care, and some other property, besides thi
found 10 the steamer Darlington, have been IT
covered. The whole number of guns discovered
up to this time, is IL, embracing heavy 8:
poundeIs 3 inch guns, and one 30 and one IN
FOUNDER ritied guns
The towns of st. Mary's and FernAndina al
uniniured. visited the town, Fort Cuoh, al
the earthwork9 on the sea ace OF the island.
ie impossible to look at these preparations LOT
vigorous defence without being surprised th
they should have been voluntarily deserte
The batteries on the north and northeast shor
are as complete art make them. Six q
well concealed and protected by ranges of sar
hills in front of them, and certain perfect shelf
for the men, and ars small aud are thorough
covered by the natural growth aud the vari
contours Of the land that 10 strike them from 4
water would be the mere result Of chance.
D0tterY Oh Blk Buupi thuu6h -"
therefore, better mark, is equally well shelter
and masked. These batteries, and the heavy gu
mounted on Fort Clnch, command all the tur
ings of the main ship channel, and rake an al
proaohing enemy. Beside them there "
another battery Of four guns on the south end
Cumberland Island, the fire OF which would cr'
the channel inside of the bar.
The difficulties arising from the indirectn
of the channel and the shOanesa OF tue
would have added to the deiences by keep
the approaching vessels n long time exposed
fire under great disadvantage. And when
ships Of an enemy had passed all these detenC
they would had TO encounter well conslruc
and naturally masked battery at the town VII
commands the access to tho inner anchorage
We are told that General Lee pronounced
plaoe perfeetly defensble. We not surpri
at this, iftrue. We captured Port Royal,
Fernandina and Fort Clinch have been gver
US.
We had in the expedition Mr. W. H. Den
an assistant in the coast survey who posses
an accurate knowledge Of a part OF the gro
we passed over, Of which, indeed, he had N
the typographical map, under the direction OF
superintendent. He was jealous and active
il gives me pleasure to mention HIM
The Empire City, on board Of which was u
raj Wright grounded on ;he bar. AS soon
arrived In another steamer immediate steps
taken 10 transfer to him the forts and all aut
ity and possession on the land. desire he
sneak Of the harmonious oounsels and col
co-operation which marked throughout my
tercourse with this able officer Our plar
antion have been matured by mutual cons