The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-31
A SERIES OF DISASTER


A SERIES OF DISASTER (.
FORTRESS MONROE, Jan. 27.-By the ar
rival of the steamer Eastern State we have
the first direct and official intelligence of
Burnside's expedition.
The Eastern State left Hatteras Inlet last
night and arrived here late this afternoon.
The recent storms were unusually severe at
Hatteras and considerably delayed and Grip
pled the expedition, but when the Eastern
State left everything looked favorably.
The Burnside expedition sailed from
Hampton Roads on the 18th and 18th of
January and consisted of over l25 vessels
of all classes.
They arrived at Hatteras between the
18th and 18th insts having been greatly re-
tarded by severe storms and adverse winds
which prevailed during that time.
After their arrival at Hatteras they ex
perienced series of unparalleled storms, so
that at times it was impossible to hold
communication between any two vessels of
the feet.
After the storm it was discovered that
no vessel drawing over seven feet three
inches, could pass into Pamico Sound.
No vessel either could pass outside the bar,
drawing over Ii feet of water unless skill
fully piloted.
Consequently the City of New York
struck on tine outside OF the bar. She had
a cargo valued at 100000, ofpowder, ri
fes, and bombs and proved total loss.
Her crew was saved.
The steamer Pocahontas went ashore
near the lighthouse and became total
wreck. Ninety valuable horses belonging
to the Typhee Island battery were on board
of her and were all drowned including sew.
eral valued at $500 each.
The Grape Shot parted, swamped and
went down at Sea. Her crew was saved.
An unknown schooner loaded with oats,
and another schooner, name unknown, were
lost on the beach.
The steamer Louisiana struck on the bar
where she now lies. The report of her
burning is incorrect. She may get off.
The Eastern Queen and the Vottiger are
also ashore. The latter will pro )ably get
of.
The water vessels attached to the expe~
dition had not reached their destination
when the kastern State left, and had it not
been for the condensers on board some of
the vessels, and vessel on shore, the most
terrible suffering must have occurred among
the troops. AS 1t was, the water casks were
composed of old whisky, camphene, and
kerosene oil casks.
1t is thought the pilots of Hatteras are
proved to be traitors, having Intentionally
run several vessels ashore.
The waves dashed with clean sweep
across the Hatteras shore, completely cut
ting off the Fort from outside communica-
tiOn.
Colonel Allen, OF the 9th New Jersey
regiment, and his surgeon, Weller, with Q
boats crew, and the second mate of the An"
ne Thompson, when they found that the
troops needed water, manned boat in Or
der to reach the General and obtain it.
The boat swamped, and the colonel, sur
geon and mate we're drowned. The crew
were saved.
Gen. Burnside has succeed in getting
over the bar one half of his vessels, includ-
ing all bis gun boats aud 1000 troops.
Every thing appeared to be in salts
factory condition when the Eastern State
LETT. The large transport with troops re-
NAMED outside until the arrival of the
Spalding from Port Royal on the 23d,
when Capt. Howes volunteered to bring
them all inside. This was accomplished
yesterday, NJ.
The Eastern State passed the last of
them as she left A portion OF the tug
boats chartered by Gen. Burnside proceed.
ed no farther than Fortress Monroe
Fair weather has set in and the schO0n
ers OF the expedition are making their ap
pearance with water, coal, and provisions,
and everything .ooks more promising.
Gen. Burnside has heen indefatgable.-
He is confident of the ultimate success OF
his expedition. and has the respect OF every
man under his command.
The only troops that have been landed
are the oath Massachusetts Regiment and
the Rhode Island battery.
Col. Hawkins regiment goes with the
Burnside expedition. There has been no
loss of life except those a bove mentioned.
Different reports are received at Hattes
ras from the surrounding population in re-
lation to the disposition and intentions OF
the enemy. Some who came in say that
GnC FtUCiS dIC CouPiOeSy A'SnsOuSu 0ou
will not make stand.
Another report is that large masses OF
troops are concentrated in the vicinity, and
still another story is confirmed by many that
their exertions will be directed chiefly to
placing obstacles in way of our progress to
Norfolk.
The rebels keep good look out on our
movements with their gunboats. Two of
them made their appearance after the storm,
but disappeared when chased.
The mails by the Eastern State will be
forwarded tomorrow.
The Pensacola left this afternoon for Key
West, Pensacola, and Ship Island. She
will report to the Commodore of the fleet
in the Cult of Mexico
The Baltimore boat brought down this
morning the I'd and 4th batteries from
Wisconsin. They will remain at Fortress
Monroe for the present.
A flag of truce was sent out this after