The New York herald., 1862-03-08
Destruction Of Three Rebel Vessels
and Their Carg0es on the
South Carolina Coast.
Debate on General Fremont'S Conduct
Of the War in the West.
Speeches Of Messrs. Blair and
Colfax in the House.
Passage Of the Cotton Cultivation Bill
in the Senate.
&c., &c., &c.

in the Senate.
&c., &C., &c.
WASHINGTON, March 7, 1862.
DEPARTURE OF GOVERNOR JOHNSON AND SUITE FOR
TENNESSEE.
Governor Andrew Johnson, accompanied by his Colonel,
Robert johnson, William A. Browning, Secretary, &C.,
Hon. Horace Maynard, and Hon. Emerson Etheridge,
Clerk Of the House, left Washington this afternoon for
Nashville, via Harrisburg, Pittsburg Cincinnati and
Louisville.
WHAT Is THOUGHT OF THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
ON EMANCIPATION.
The excitement regard to the Presidents special
Message increases. Some Of the ultras regard t
step in the right directon-that M in their direction
and Of the most conservative hail 1t the express
sion Of the opinion, uttered long time ago by the Pre-
sident that he should under all circumstances sacredy
observe the guarantees Of the constitution for all rights
Of citizens Of all the States, and that he would
approve any legislation that looked to the emancipation
Of the slaves against the will Of tho people Of the States
and In derrogation Of their rights.
The Message has taken all parties by surprise.
orty Of the Senators and Representatives unpre
pared to express themselves upon It, All afraid Of
IT, and all afraid to oppose II. The radicals look
blank and while they claim there is in concession to
them they preparing cautiously 10 oppose It, The
the policy communicated by the President but they fear
that they may be entrappod in some departure from
their chosen position In this predicament the Pres
dents Message must sleep in the committee room until
gentlemen have made up their minds in regard TO the
matter.
AFFAIRS ALONG TIE MILITARY LINE OF THE P0To.
MAC.
Intelligence from every part Of the military line of the
Potomac to-day reports nothing Of material interest
CONDITION OF THE ROADS IN VIRGINIA.
The pleasant weather Of the last forty hours has
dried the roads much that thew promise be in good
condition in . day or two.
BRISK cANNoNADINa ON THE LOWER PoroMAc.
At four O'Clock yesterday morning the Frseborn sats
s Island Belle and the Resolute opened re on the line
Of batteries extending from opposite Liverpool Point 70
Boyds Hole, including three 1t Aqua Creek number
Of shells thrown In but with what effect could
be ascertaned in the prevailing darkness. The rebels
returned the fire, but without striking any Of our
vessels
Between ten and eleven O'Clock A. NJ while we lay OF
Backstones Island, heavy cannonadng hoard from
above. On reaching wade's Bay In the evening
certaned that the Island Belle and the Satellite had again
opened the railroad depot and trains Of
filed with rebel troops that were constantly arriving
from Fredericksburg. The depot was ridded by the
shot and she'll The enemy returned the FIRE from bat
terry on the water line and another hill little back.
Their shots fell thicky around the vessels, but not
Of them took effect.
Tho troops at Aqua Crock constantly receiving
reinforccments. At the first bombardment the rebels
beat the long roll in evident expectation Of landing
but as matters turned out, they more frightened
than hurt
Early this morning the Stepping Stones came up from
below having supplied all the vessels Of the Second and
Third divisions. She ran past all the batteries without
elciting shot.
About nine O'Clock the batteries at Cockpit Point and
shipping Point opened fire on Professor loves balloon,
when in tho air near Budds Ferry The are return
cd from the Maryland shore. The balloon was not hit,
and am unable to say whether any damage was done
on either side
COMMODORE FooTE's REPowT or THE EXPEDITION TO
FIrrsBURG.
The Navy Department has received full despatches
from Commodore Footc concerning the recent expedition
to Pitsburg, tho Mississippi line, synopsis Of
which has already been published II appears that dur
ing the action the gunboats Lexington snd Taylor
pended forty-nve sighnch shells, twenty five six inch
shells and sixteen stand Of grape. Several Of the rebels
were seen 10 fall but the full extent Of the damage 10
them could not be asccrtained.
THREE REBrL VESSELS AND THEIR CARG0Es DE-
sTRoygD ON the SOUTH CAROLINA COAST.
The following Official report describes the recent De.
structou, by Union bockading ship, Of three rebel
vessels and their csrgoes,-
UNITED STATES Bank Rsrrss
Or Bulls Ray, g. c., Feb. IS, 1862.
SRI have the honor TO report that, the 18th inst
about eleven O'Clock A. NJ, We discovered vessol
ashore shoa In Bulls Pay sent two armed boats
In for tho purpose Of reconnoitcrng and II possible 10
bring her or On boarding thoy found her TO be very
old and worthless craft without cargo, and only folr
three vessels lying at anchor within tho shoals,
apparently laden with rice, 40
AZ half past the morning OF the l1th inst sent
another arod boat with instructions TO cut these vcs
ali day TO bring these vessels out, they were destroyed
after dark and their sgs papers and arms taken In tho
boat and brought or with two prisoners
The following tho names Of the vessels destroyed,
with their cargocs which consisted Of rce lot the city
sloop Edsto 600 bushels OF rice, sunk.
sloop Elizabeth, !, 500 bushels Of rice, sunk.
Soop Thcodore Stoncy, 500 bushels OF rice, burned.
The Theodore Stoney hno craft, OF -four tons
but could be got out, there was battery OF three
Their resre<ivc crews were all foreigners and negroes
and not having enough In the boat 10 bring them
or they set ashore and allowed to retain their por
sona effects, except arms.
send YOU rebel flag, with the request 10 forward the
| same with my compliments, TO tho Flag Oficer.
In closing feel " my duty to mention abe efficient
manner In which my orders were carried out by Acting
Mates Henry Eason and j. Walter Macklc aud
| call your attention TO the same.
Enclosed transmit the papers OF the destroyed
EDWARD CONROy,
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant commanding.
Commander J. @. rsRnor, commanding United states
SC
THE DEBATE IN THE HousR ON GENERAL rREmoEr's
CAMPAIGN.
xlcual nlatr of Mtocotr adj n