The New York herald., 1862-06-01
. Our Key West Correspondence.

KEY West, May 49, 1862.
Sryasa Of The Steam Transport xississippi-Arrpal of the
.Sssons Gunboat 7ahoma from Cedar Keys-Neacs from
that Quayto-The Somerset Opens Fire Party OF
Ret Way Key-She Drives them to tAs Main
Ian The 7oscn of Ateena Otre-Arrirdl Of the United
Sac Frsgate Sc. Laurence and Steam Sloop Docotah-
A,rscdlof the Steamer Soan, Loaded scth One Thousand
Bales Of Cotton and Eight Hundred Barrels Of Rosin,
PriA TO the United States Brig Bainbridge and Bark
Amanda-Arriu0I Of Lhe Battic-Ar. j. g. Ohnans, dc.
Since my last many vessels have arrived, bringing
ny quantity OF news, but it all came from places
where there correspondents Of the HERALD it
Necessary to repeat it.
The transport Mississippi arrived the 2ist
tnst, b. ngng New Orleans papers to the nth.
The United States steam gunboat Tahoma, Lieutenant
Commanding J. G. Howell, has arrived from Cedar Keys,
having been relieved the blockade Of that place by the
United States steamer Somerset Lieutenant Earl English
0ommanding On Monday last the 10th inst United
Htates Somerset steamed up the hsrbor Of Cedar
Keys and anchored of the town OF Atsesna Otrs,
on Depot Key. A small rebel force has occupied
Way Key, and the Somerset anchored about three-
quarters Of . mile from and directly opposite their
barracks. flag Of truce sent on shore, and de-
msni was matc tor them t. surrender, which they
fused 10 comply with They then informed that inc
Somerset would open nro them the nag re-
suned TO the vessel On receiving this they
tmmedatey "made tracks, up the railroad and soon
o. the boat returned to The Somerset she opened fire
from her nine inch AID thirtytwo FOUNDER guns with
she, which had The effect TO the rebels quicken
thsir speed. AMI change into quadrupe nickhe
original double quick when compared 1t was slow
time. They wero a miserable Ia every way, with
hardly clothing and armed with all descriptions uf
weapons and declared themselves bac
Captain Howell, who has been al Cedar hsys for the
past four months l. loud in praise the place the
proper location for military and naval hospital and
confirms ali that your correspondent mas said heretofore
regarding Its groat value 90 the The
OF Atseena Otre, containing many buildings adapted
Tor barracks, &C. Is now entirely deserte except by
In AA4h hraut 81.
tiy Of yellow pine lumber ready FOR the consiruc
tion Of barracks large enough Accommodate five
1rod men, and, what IS the greatest recommendation
She climate is unsurpassed in tie world FISH oysters
and game abound, and vegcta grow without trouble
In tact Cdsr Keys Is the place Of the Gulf fer health
and should receive III. immediate attention or cur COW
srnnent for its great valre viii known unt tried
The Iahoma will remain here some days as she %
ques extensive rerars-ths vessels deck haying set
sed N IA alarming degree, on account OF negligent
On 23d inst the United States rigate ST. Lawrence
Eoimander Schenck, arrived from Hampton Roads she
VIII remain In The harbor few days and then proceed
cruise she attached to tho eastern division
Gull squadron.
Yesterday morning the United States steam sloop Of
war iacotah, Commander Nciinstry, arrived from
Hampton Roads and leaves today communicate with
ga officer Farrsgut. About three O'Clock yesterday
afternoon heavy smoke the Gulf u the wesi.
wa d. IL Nas naturally supposed to steamer from
New Orleans, Burning btuminous coal. As tn smoke
nearer and and the vessel hull car,. sho,
abe sorizn we recognized her 10 DO regular Weetc-n
steamboat, with two huge smoke stacks very tall and
placsd side by side II was hard 10 Judge Who or vi,
she ss, for we coud not suppose vessel Of that eaes
would attempt ssa voyage When shs anchored ycur
csEfesonGent prceesded 70 bs wharf obtain itsli.
ssnce and As he oqksd at her no cogd anos. imagine
hiniseh waiting 70 be tossd New Or cans so much
did she resemble one OF the ssisspp boats Of the
olden tins.
She proved to be thsSteamer Swan formerly Mobile
cotton boat loaded with tho bales Of cotton and
eight hundred barrels Of She was captured
by the tnjted States brig cambridge and
ba Amanda, on the afternoon Of May a. tbiriy-fye
miles soath Of Tlrtugas aRd was from Mobile bound 20
Havana She IL the best prize taken the Gulf Stree
ths commencement Of the war, she must vessel and
cargo, bring e OF at lcast two hundred thousand
dollars Eer case will be audicatsd here, bat ths cot
tos will be shipped 10 New YORK, the Yessei is not
capable Of making the voyage. The swan viii answer
adsis ably for towboat ia this Larbor and will save
Uncs Fam much money by towing vessels 10 sea that
are obliged to wait for Wind and tide
Her capture IS most fortunate few hours more
would have taken her into Hlvana, where there would
have been great rejoicing among secesh" g. know that
Confederate port open, you may Justly call
port open vnan noNnsa4 like the swan could get
Il, oat being Observed. Tho following persons were
passk, board the swan from Mobilo-Dr. Cage
lazy ala two chiiren Rev. Mr. Bardet lady aud child.
rhoy rss, ed immediate permission to land and 20
a -rth in Ito n'>i,,s
Ihe United a,..cs 4-. Hfitc. 'aItan |
& now eosIin. a ted yesterday 4, ,s's.s.: as.: --..
rI che h,ina.s ssl lesyg. Al ~ lro'n ship Tsanu.
~ neWs other ~ y. ''s'hes1ay Toe f,oer \