The New York herald., 1862-03-20


=. FLAGSHIP wARAsn,l
- OyyS ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla, March 10, 1862. !
an-Having On the 7th despatched division Of my
force to hold Brnnswck consisting the hohican Poca
hontas and potomska under Commander Gordon Ishted
my Gag from the first named vessel to the Pawnee and
organized another squadron Of light vessels embracing
the four regular gunboats Ottawa, Seneca Pembna and
Huron, with the Isaac Smith and Ellen, undsr
Lieutenant Commanding Stevens, to proceed without
delay TO the mouth Of the St. Johns river,
cross possible, its difficult and shallow bar fee the
forts stil held and push 10 Jacksonville
70 go as far % Patka eighty miles beyond, 70 recon-
noitre and capture river steamers.
This expedition was TO bs accompanied By the armed
launches and cutters Of the wabash under eutsnants
Irwin and Barnes, and by light draugh transport with
The Seventh New Hampshire regiment After arranging
with Brigadier General wright joint occupation
Of the Florida and Georgia costs, including protection
rom injury to the mansion and grounds Dungenes,
On Cumberland Island. originally the property Of the
Revolutionary hero and patriot General Greene, and
SIN owned ~ susscsadants, and leaving Commander
rsrcva pyten In charge Of the naval force. rejoned
shis ship waiting FOR on Fsrnandna, and proceeded
with her ~ 81. johns, arriving there on the 9th.
Ths guabosts Asd not yet been able cross the bar
but sxpssed too 90 the next day. the Ellen only getting
h thaa evening
A q Nasssu, which visited by Lieutenant Com
manding Stevens, his way down, tho forts seomod
abandoned
There being probability that the Huron could enter
Asspstchsd her or to St. Augustine where followed
Os.nandsr G. R. p. Rodgers with flag Of truce having
believe that there any people on this
coast likely remain their houses, it would be at
q. Augustine enclose Commander Rodgers most
Interesting report, which I am sure tho de-
psrtment will read with satisfaction. The Anseri-
csw fog flying orer tho, old eity raised
By the hands Of it, people, ~ho,xsnted tie appeals
Greas and alseAoods of their leaders, though compelled
wis>. the carrying Of Of their sons in The ranks efn
Nyiws enemy. This gives possession Of second na
tional fort Of strength and importance.
Since writing the above have received by tho Isaac
smith report from Lieutenant Commanding Stevens, of
hs operations ia the st. Johns river giving details OF
great interest.
From Lsutessnt Commanding Nicholson loarn with
regret Of acts Of vandalism the part of the rebel
sonmandsrs (not the psopls), in setting fire TO vast
quantities OF lumber and tho sawmls in that region.
owned by Northern men supposed TO have Union sym.
pathies
In all this varied and difficult ssvvieehaving 70 con.
ssnd with surf Shores dangerous bars inland nav
CATION in ensmys country-I think II due to the
sancsrs and men under my command TO say that they
have, all occasions. displayed great spirit and ability
Very respectfully,
8. r. DUPONT, Flag 0nlcer.
70 Hon. GIDEON wnIxs, Secretary Of the Navy.
sroRr or CAPT. RoDoKRs TO cosHoDoRE DUPONT
USrrEp STATES rLAGsIir wAnusH
OF sr. AUGUSTINE, fla, March 12 1862.
en-Havng crossed the bar with some difnculty in
sbedicncs 70 your orders, approached ss Augustine
snder Gag Of truos, and as I drew near the c,tv
white flag raised upon OF the bas,ions Of Fort
Macon. Landing at the wharf, and nquring for the chief
authority, joined by the Mayor and conducted
90 the City Hall, whero the municipal authorities wera
assembled. informed them that, having come 20 ro
the authority OF the United sates you had deemed
% more kind to send manned boat inform The oit
OF your discrimination than TO occupy the town a,
all apprehensons of harsh treatment that might exist IN
sher minds and that you should carefully respect the
persons and property Of all citizens who submitted 10
the authority OF the United States thet you had single
purpose 10 restore the state Of affairs which existed bo
fore tho rebellion. informed the municipal authorities
that so long they respected the authority OF the go
vernment we serve, and acted In good faith municipal
STAIRS would be left in their hands far ga might
DO consistent With the sxgences Of the times. The
Mayor and Council then informed that the place had
been syacuated tho preceding night By two companies
OF Florida troops, and that they gladly received the
suranccsI gave thsm and placed the city my hands,
sfccomuended thom TO hoist the flag OF the Union at
once and In prompt accordance with tho advice, by
crdfr OF the Mayor, the national onsgn was displayed
from the haestan OF tho fort Tho Mayor prorosed 20
surns nsNer 70 mo the live cannsn mounted at tho fort
which are good condition and spiked and aIso The
Jew m9hitions OF war left by the retroating enemy
desired 70 take charge Of them for te 10 make
careful inventories and establish patrol and prard
informing him that no would DO held responsiho a. ~
place nm our force should enter the har bor called
upon the eTeymon OF the city requesting them 10 rcas
their peonic and to conads IN our tind ,,eon
lions towards them. About aftsen hgndrod persona
AN lal0s HaI.hl. nl aH