The New York herald., 1862-01-09

psared strange to me- II well done for all that
Dress parade over, our little party were formally
introduced to Colonel Graham by the Msor-the Colo
mel who had deserted the naval uniform spontaneously
riding up to u.s. He gave us courteous Invitation to
his tent which accepted, and after spending plea.
SAINT half hour with him we returned on board
The Jacob Boil threw few shots into the rebel encanp
ment at Upper Machodoo creek yesterday afternoon but
with what effect cannot be ascsrtained. II small
affair, amounting to nothng-no fault Of Lieut.. Com
mandng McCrea however, who is willing to ''ptch n
whenever and wherever he finds opportunity.
had long conversation with Lieut. Commanding
McGaw Of the Freeborn to-day TO whose courtesy, by
the way you will be indebted for the receval OF this
letter II not without some emotion stepped on
board the gallant little craft consecrated by the blood OF
the brave Captain Ward--ths vessel from whose deck
fred the first hostile shot the Potomac, on the
ever memorable Goth Of May. There l met Harry
Churchill the captain Of the bow gun-the famous Long
Tomn whose (Churchiils, not the gun g Jarnes
and sacrilegious countryman. There was present too
George Couch tho captain of the after gun who agan
the man. not the gum so nobly avenged his Captains
death, by firing FIVE second shell right amongst
the rebels the Freebon sheering off, and only sb-
stained from firing another with which the gun had been
loaded with almost incredible swiftncss, by the gentle
. that gun-the Captain is dying" Blessings on the gal
liant Doctor for thus soothing the dying couch Of the good
further to notice that George ws-ths brave little boy
who stood so poby by his Captain during the terrible
dre at Matthias Points not board. lie has leave OF
absence for ton days. visit his father, prominent
ewoer in Maiden ane But the rebels Say our men land
suppose boys too in the ranks are ''mud sills."
Old Brown, the carpenter with his curiosity shop OF
chest Is also still board tho Frscborn. The habitua
readers Of the HEaALD will recognise the old fellow from
the picture drew Of him in July He, and all my old
shpmates, received with hearty grip Of the hand.
But alas! none Of the original officers with whom left
New York are op board In fact the only officers Of the
last, under the command Of Commander Ward,
are DR.. Moore, at present on board the Yam
kse Hensy walters alters Master. Masts Mate % Or M the aeaS gS
Bell and may add, your correspondent who was clerk
to Captain Ward although not on the ships books Capt
Ward and poor Fuller Of the Resoute, have been killed.
Budd OF the Resoute and Myga Of the Reliance have
been detached and sent further South Lee Of the Free
born has turned "sodger and is now captain in the
There is arrangement down hero by which the mails
are sent upwards at nine O'Clock every morning. Asa
matter of courtesy the lower ota participates for it is
not government affair bat aprivate among
the army officers on shore who pay the out OF
their pockets did not know Of this till after nine
this morning. would have sent you despatch Of the
burning OF the Aqua creek depot.
The position Of vessels hereabont is dangerous
they sometimes fred into by picsets They
occasionally hailed from the Maryland shore and the
countersign demanded or course in nne ss out OF
ten the vessel has not the counersgn, and evsi II she
has at part of the river as Budd's Ferry u
would not do to give it, as 1t would be hoard over in
gina In such they fred at, which not very
Peasant.
Some udcrous incidents arise Of this arrangement
An old follow, popularity known as 'OId Smith," COM
mandiug wood laden schooner attempted to pass the
Union pickcts evening fIo cautioned not to do
so but he said he'd be damned ii he wouldn't go homo
that nghttha he would Accordingly he set all sail;
but arriving at part OF the river where the Union
pckcis pretty close TO him re pitched into to
some purpose, and unfortunately calm came on, upon
which the old man lowered his boat aud had his schooner
towed oUt of range. Next morning there was great
talk among the soldiers Of mysterious movement Of a
strange vessel but when they heard that 1t only
'Od Smith" and his schooner they looked little sheep
sh This puts me in mind OF fight that once nearly took
place bewcon boats crew OF The Freeb0rn and ore OF
the Resolpc, two weeks before Captain Wards death.
This soomn cvcut Of course precuded everything like
icvty did account Of il to the HERALD
will relate the circumstance another letter. this is
in all conscience, long enough TO close here.
We have the frst days hard frost today, but the
weather is pleasant Notwithstanding.