Newbern weekly progress., 1862-10-18
Descrts0n OF the Rebel Works by
Their Troops.
The FORKS Taken Possession Of by Our Forcea
Destruction OF the Fort and Re.
mOvRl Of ille Guns.


m0yRl Of The Guns.
HlLToN HEAD, S. c., Oct. 5, 1862.
Since my last correspondence from this
point the "great expedition which had
been fitted out by our General Command
ing--who, in his speeches to the troops on
different occasions, assured them that they
should not long maintain Their q mastery
inactivity"-fnally set sail from this har-
Dor on the lst instant, at FIVE O'Clock.
The Commander Of the Expedition.
General Brannan Commanding the expe-
dition) and staff embarked on board the
steamer Ben. Detord, and the troops on
board the transports Boston, Cosmopolitan
and Neptune. The naval vessels compos-
ing the expedition are the following. viz =
Paul Jones (Aag-ship) Port Royal, Ilncas,
C;merone, PATRON, and Z. b. Hate, the
squadron being under the command of Com
mander Charles Z. Steedman, of the flag
ship.
Arirol Of the Expedition at ST. Johns Rirer.
The expedition arrived at the mouth OF
the ST. Johns river and opposite Mayport
Mills on the morning of the I'd. The
troops were Immediately disembarked-the
infantry in flats, and the cavalry horses, as
usual in such cases were thrown overheard.
,Stymtshers ghroscn 0ut.
The Forty seventh Pennsylvania Volun-
teers, Colonel Good, Immediately threw out
skirmishers, and the advance commenced,
but had proceeded hardly mile when they
came suddenly upon an unfordable creek,
and were compelled to return to Maypori
Mills, when it was decided to re-embark
the troops on the fats
Petition Of the R,5sl Work-Is Strength.
would here st te that the enemy's work,
situai.d on 1t. Johns Bluff, distant from
Mayport Mills about eight miles, and fifteen
from Jacksonville, commanded the river,
and was most formidable work of itself,
mounting nine guns of heavy calibre, aside
from the natural advantages its elevated po'
sition had; nor indeed was this its only
strength, i. being completely surrounded by
thick underground, woods and marsh.
It's only Approach by Land
was narrow causeway of about mile ir
length commanded by the rear Of the fort
On the whole, the enemy had, you may say
an impregnable position, and subsequent
events will prove how they defended the
"Mst ditch"
Adrancs up the Riuer.
The steamer Neptune, with the flats in tow
proceeded up the river some three miles, wher
The latter were cast of, and in true man ofwa
style our troops took to their oars rowing VI
Mount Pleasant creek three-1 quarters OF nile
and landed and bivouacked for the night.
Operations Of the Gunboats.
In the meantime the gunboats Paul Jonc
with General Brannan and staff on boarll,-
Cimerone and Patroon proceeded up the rive
on a reconnaissance, occasionally Smelling tn
woodt on either side of the river.
We Open the Ball
Arriving within range Of St. Johns Bluff, tn
Paul Jones opened the ball. The enemy brisk
replied but IN manner which convinced al
that they had not the best aruAerists in th
world After cannonadipg Of half an hour
duration
The Gpnboats WithdrGD,
having drawn the eneny's fire from the entir
battery The reconnaissance was entirely sue
cesslul, and attended with no loss OF life on ou
side. Rebel loss unknown.
March Of The T'oops--4 Rebel Cdco'ry Cam,
Surprised.
Early the following morning Ohe Sd) Colone
Good took up line Of march for the bluff
while TIE navy slowly advanced up the river
On his march Colonel Good completely su,
,, prised rebel cavalry camp, which, on hi
entering, demonstrated mast disgracefu' sk,
daddle on the part Of the chiralry. Here tw
cases of Massachusetts, breech loading rifle
new and large quantity Of double and singl
barreed shotsuns were captured
An Infantry Camp Surprised.
Leaving this camp, Colonel Good and hi
, command pushed rapidly on and surprised Il
inhntrY camp. Here as in the lorlner nsianc,
t tic surprise was most complete. Large capture
, we're made, consisting of new haversacks an
equipments, and all the eneny's arms an
, ammunition.
, Rasty Departure Of the army.
4 The rebels left in such haste that their Dime
was found hot, but untouched. on the tables. !
/ an officers tent was founda delicious chcke
= pte, with kni(ein position, where tho gallant SO
rf the South left it on the first alarm. Ou
boys declared it--gnoting from the President
\ Conlisca,ion proclamation-l be contraban
y Of war, and, as is customary in such cases
! speedily devoured it, declaring the officer VIII
n n so incontinenty left it mast have been an epi
- cure of the extreme school.
9 The enemys Camps oere utterly Destroyed
j. and our forces again pushed on. The countr
} soon became marshy after leaving the la
camp, and it was found necessary TO build
r corduroy" road for the howltser accompan.
b ing the land force. This unlocked for circau
, stance detained our troops some time, and "
d will leave them for while in the marsh,
s follow the gunboats.
Il The Guaboats Shell the Fort The R,bel
II desert their Work.
c The squadron arrived within range Of Il
e fort about halt past three O'Clock in the afte
!; noon, and opened brisk fire. After sevel
/, shellng Of half an hour, and receh ing no r.
Al spopse the Cimerone sent a launch ashore