The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-03-28


captured the rebel steamer Darlington, con.
tanning military stores, army wagons, mules
forage, &C., and fortunately secured the
drawbridge, which was held during the night
by the secong launch Of the Wabash. There
were passengers. women and children, in the
Darlington, and the brutal captain suffered
her to be fred upon, and refused to hoist q
white flag, Notwithstanding the entreatiea ol
the women. i send the captain Of the steamer
homo prisoner. His name Is Jacob Brock
resident Of Florida for % years.
The same night Commander @. p. X,
Rogers ascended the St. Mary's with the OF.
tawa and took possession Of the town, driv'
ing out picket Of tho enemy's cavalry
Early In the morning, the town OF Fernan.
dina was also occupied by party Of seamen
and marines from Commander Dayton'i
command. In both places the inhabitant,
had fed, by order, It is said, ofthe rebel
authorities.
A company of seamen and marines under
Lieut.. Miller were sent from the Mohcan 10
hold Fort Clinch.
II is reported to me by Lieutenant.C Com.
manding Downer, Of the Huron, that the
whole structure Of the railroad on the Fer.
nandina side, including the swinging draw.
bridge, is quite uninjurcd. The rebels have
done some damage by fire to the trcstls work
on the other side of the river, but am not
vet informed of its extent. Several locomo-
tives, baggage cars, tenders, freight cars. and
some. other property besides that found in
the steamer Darlington, have been recovered.
The whole number of guns discovered up to
this time Is l3, embracing heavy 80 Founders
inch guns, and one 80 and one 100 poundel
riacd guns.
The town Of st. Mary's and Fernandina
arc uninjured. I visited tho town, Fort
Clinch and the eaSthworks, on the seafacc o.
the Island. 1t is Impossible to look at thes'
preparations for vigorous defence without
being surprised that they should have beer
voluntarily deserted. The batteries on the
North and Northeast shores are Us complete
us art can make them. Six are well conceal
I'd and protected by ranges OF sand hills IL
front, contain perfect shelter for the men
and are so small and thoroughly covered by
the natural growth and by ito varied con
tours OF the land that to strike them from
the water would be the mere result Of chance
A battery of six guns, though larger and af'
fording. therefore, better mark, is equally
we'll sheltered and masked.
The batteries and the heavy guns mounted
in Fort Clinch, command oil tho turnings ol
the main ship channel and rake an approach
ing enemy. Besides them there was another
battery Of four guns on the south end Of
Cumberland Island, the fire OF which would
cross the channel inside the bar. The diff
cuities arising from the indirectness OF the
channel and from the shoalness of tho bal
would have added to the dcfences by keeping
the approaching vessels u long time exposed
to fire under great disadvantages, and wher
the ship OF an enemy had passed all the de-
fences, they would have to encounter q wei
constructed and naturally masked battery al
the town, which commands the access to the
inner anchorage. We are told that General
Lee pronounced the place perfectly defcnsible'
We are not surprised Mt this, II true. We
captured Port Royal, but Fcrnandina and
Fort Clinch have been given us.
We had in the expedition Mr.. WIN. II.
Dennis, an assistant in the Coast Survey, who
possessed accurate local knowledge OF par,
of the ground we passed over, OF which, in.
deed he had made the typographical map.
under tho direction OF the Superintendent.
lie was zealous and active, and 1t gives Inc
pleasure to mention him.
The Empire City, on board Of which was
Gen. Wright, grounded on the bar. Assonn
as he arrived In another steamer, immediate
steps were taken to transfer to him the forts
and all authority and possession on the land.
desire to speak here OF the harmonious
councils and cordial co-operatiou which have
marked throughout my intercourse with that
able officer. Our plans Of action have been
matured by mutual consultation and have
been carried into execution by mutual help,
take great pleasure in reminding the De.
partment that one principal and ultimate OBJ
iect OF the Naval expedition, which l have
the honor to command, was, in the first con.
ccption, to take and keep under control the
whole line of sea.coast Of Georgia, knowing
to use the language Of the original paper.
that the naval power that controls the sea-
coast OF Georgia controls the State Of Geor'
gia.
The report that tho Notifications at ST.
Simons, armed with heavy columbiads, had
been abandoned, which first reiched me nj
Port Royal. is confirmed. This being the
case, the entire sea-coast of Georgia is now
either actually in my possession or under my
control, and thus the views Of the Govern
ment have been accomplished.
Very respectfully your obd't servt.,
S. E. DuPoSr. Flag Officer
Commdg. So. Atlantic Blkdg. Squadron
To Hon. GiDEoS WELLEs, '
Secretary oftho Navy, Washington. DC.
WAsnISGroN, March 10.