The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-21
NEW SERIES-NO. 1873
The Expedition to Brunswick and
Fernandtna.

The feet destined for the capture of these
two points left Port Royal on the 4th OF
March, General Dupont being in COM
mand of the naval, and General Wright of
the land forces. The first point of the
coast approached by the feet was the town
of Brunswick, Georgia, the enemy abandon
ing their works and precipitately flying at
the approach of the gunboats 1t was taks
en- possession of and the gunboats left in
charge. This gives the government the con-
tro of the whole coast of Georgia, from
South Carolina to Florida. Brunswick is
a port OF entry, and the shire town of Glynn
county, Georgia, and is situated eighty
miles south of Savannah. 1t has spacious
and secure harbor, and is a capital site for
seaport town. Brunswick is largely owns
ed by northern capitalists. Some years
ago company in New York invested
largely in lots and lands there, and great
effort was made in Congress to have navy
yard established at that place. But the
measure was defeated.
Brunswick being disposed of. the feet
moved twenty miles fur Their south, to Cum.
berland Sound, the entrance to the harbor
of Fernandina, Florida. The operations
here are described as follows
The fleet entered Cumberland Sound in
the following order The Michigan, flag.
ship of Commodore Dupont, the Ottawa,
the Seminole, the Pawnee, the Flag, the
Bienville, the Alabama, the James Adger,
the Florida, the Seneca, the Huron, and
the Pembna. They were followed by the
small armed steamers Potowska, Pengvyn,
and Ellen. Next came the armed revenue
cutter Henrietta, and the armed transport
Mcclellan, followed by the transports Ems
pire City, Boston, BeIvidere, Star of the
South, Georges Greek, and the brig Gen.
Wright, all loaded with troops under the
command of Gen. Wright.
When the expedition came in sight of
Fort Clynch the rebels were discovered
making a hasty fight, and fred two or
three random shots from the barbette guns
of the fort The shells of the feet, howev.
er, caused hasty evacuation, and Fort
CIynch was immediately taken possession of
and the flag of the Union raised on the old
staff which has been so long disgraced by
the traitors cOlors. This is the first of the
old southern forts of the Union that has
been recovered since the proclamation OF
the President declaring that they must all
be restored to the Union.
AS the feet approached the fort train
of cars was observed leaving Fernandina,
and as the track runs some three miles along
the shore of the Sound, Commodore Du-
pont sent one of the gunboats in pursuit of
her.
An exciting race took place, the steamer
throwing shells at the flying train, some of
them falling 10 such close proximity that
some OF the fleeing rebels jumped from it
and took to the bush. Among the latter is
said to have been the late Senator Yulee,
of Florida, accompanied by bis servant.
The train, of course, outran the gunbOat
and escaped.
The old casemated Fort Clynch having
been taken possession OF, the flag was also
speedily raised from the eight rebel eartl~
works abandoned by the enemy. Twelve
large guns fell into our possession, includ.
ing one immense rifle gun of l20-pound
calibre. Five OF them were found in Fort
Clynch, and the others were in the earth
works.
They had hastily removed a portion of
their guns, which we're said to be at St.
Johns, farther up the sound.
Considerable ammunition was also cap.
tured, and the same evening the rebel
steamer Darlington, loaded with wagons,
ammunition, and camp equipage, was also
captured whilst endeavoriDg to escape.
The expedition accomplished its mission
on the 4th of March, the anniversary OF the
Inauguration of President Lincoln. The
troops of Gen. Wright were landed, and
Commodore Dupont handed over to bis pos
sessions the forts and earthworks, which
were quickly garrisoned.
Fernando is the mcst important point
on the Atlantic coast of Florida, and its
possession, coupled with the evacuation of
Pensacola by Gen. Bragg, will no doubt
soon restore Federal supremacy throughout
the State. The town is situated on Amelia
Island, and the sound between the island
and main shore makes an admirable harbor.
A railroad has been completed from Fer
nandina, across the peninsula,to Cedar Keys,
on the Gull of Mexico. A branch OF this
road, runs to Tallahassee, the capital Of the
State. Cedar Keys has for some time been
occupied by Federal troops.
|
-Ithas been suggested that Cameron, in