The New York herald., 1862-04-29
NEWS FROM SHIP ISLAND.
The Expedition to Biloxi and Pass Chris
tian.


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The Expedition to Biloxi and Pass Chris
tian.
OUR SHIP ISLAND CORRESPONDENCE.
DEPARTMENT GULF,
SHIP ISLAND, Miss, April IL 1862. J
The Expedition Biiozi and Pass Christaa-An Engage
ment Beoeen the Union and Rebel GunJoats-The Lans-
ing Of the Troops-7hey Meet The Enemy-A Skirn,tsh
Ensucs7he Rebel Camp Deserted-A Despatch to Gene
raj Lore-THe Seizure Of the Post CDfceCapture Of The
Wdlis-TAe Advantage Of The Pass Christian E1pedtion
The Rebels Scared, dc.
was SO hurried my last that unable to give
detailed account Of the expedition Biloxi and Pass
Christian will now attempt to add few interesting
matters relative to that affair. .....-.
After spending day and night at Biloxi without meet
ing any force, and obtaining full written apology from
the Mayor Of the town for the outrage nag of
truce in which he stated that tie firing done by
mob whom he had influence, and whose actions
he had force to control, the Ninth Connecticut
regiment re-emoarked the Lewis and arrived
very early on the morning Of the Atm pass
Christian and anchored waiting for Daylight At about
four O'Clock in the morning three rebel gunboatsthe
Oregon, Pamlico and Carondeotcame down from Lake
Borgne, without showing any lights, and opened fire
gunboats. While the oregon and Panlico engaged
the New London and Jackson, the Csrondelet "a new
boat carrying guns3 within thousand yards
Of the Lewis, and commenced firing shells into her.
Two of the shells struck the Lewis of them passing
through the oficers5 cabin, slightly wounding Captain
Conant Of the Tbirty first Massachusetts, who pre-
sent voluEteer and the other passing through the
smoke stack For little the Lewis could do
nothing exricatc herself from her perilous position
for somc reason, her anchor would rot up.
Captaip Jones, the navigator Of the steamer, got
an fake and cut the cable, and the Lewis
swung into position, where she could bring
s1,o/.. dad
been placed her to bear the Carondelct Tie guns
We're manned by section Of Capt. Chas. Everet.'s
Sixth Massachusetts battery, and the first shot
fred by Lieut. j. II. Phelps and struck full in the Caron
delet. he and Capt Everett fired ten twelve Shots
two Of which certainly struck the rebel steamer and
drove her or, and after the troops landed at Pass Chris
tan they told that the Carondect put that
place the retreat and left the pilot who had legs
shot of The Captain and four of his killed by
the guns the Lewis and the machinery of the Caron
delet badly injured. The Carondeet, supposng that
| the Lewis entirely unarmed, expected TO have
easy job Of sinking her, with her valuable freight cr hu
lives but when those rled guns began to speak the
valiant carordeet left ncontinony. In the time.
Oregon and ranlico and the New London and Jack
mad been blazing away at each other, and kept up
the fire for hour and three quarters when the rebels
made their usual brilliant advance on Fort Pike, the Ore
gon gorg of with wheel having the other badly in
| iured by tho guns Of the New London and Jackson
Tho New London received shot which slightly spn-
tered her cutwater, and another that one Of the
chains of hor davits but nothing to cripple her in the
Slightest little before the Lewis approached the
wharf and as she drew it discovered that the
erd Of The pier covered with large number Of bales
of hay covered with tarpauln. Smoke
from behind the hay, the rebels being engaged in at
tempt to burn the pier prevent the landing Of our
| troops. Capt Everett threw few shells from his two
rned guns at the wharf, and the gunboa,s seeing tho
| firing from the Lewis, and the smoke arising from
| behind the hay, supposed the rebels had battery
on the wharf and consequently they opened Ere the
town. Several of their shot passed through few houses
/ and demolished considerable property, brt injured
one The Ninth Connecticut regiment then landed, and
| after leaving guard at the wharf to protect the
Lewis, and, if necessary, to cover the retreat Of
troops the regiment took up the line OF march with
| two riled guns the right drawn by a company OF
soldiers each, Colonel Cahl with Major Strong chief
| OF General Buffers staff, at the head Of
| the main column. Captain J. II. French, Of General
| Buffers staG. in command Of two companies,
| deployed his men skrmishers the right OF
the road while Lieutenant Colonel Fzgbbon and Major
Frye Of the Ninth Connecticut each depoyed two
panies to right and left through the woods
to cover the flank of the enemy If he should make his
appearance When within about mile Of the encamp-
piece of artillery in position and saw the flashing Of
sabres Immediately after the enemy opened upon the
main column with their artillery and rifles. Captain
Everctts guns at placed in position and
der direction Of Major Strong the fire Of the rebels
returned with interest, and after exchange Of dozen
shots and three four voeys OF muskery the rebels
| fed.
| As soon as Lieut. Colonel Ftzgbbon and Major Frye
heard tho firing they hurried their commands toward
tho centre hoping flank the enemy but the fight was
so short that they arrived too late the skr
mish Our troops followed up the success for dis
tance the rebels having mules attached to their
tery succeeded in eluding capture destruction It s
| thought the enemy must have lost some In killed
aud wounded, but nothing positive respecting
hat is known. On side was
severely wounded A MIME ball passed directly
through his left arm, below the elbow
shattcrng badly and probably necsssitatug amputa
ton lIe was private named John Leonard Of Captain
Dury's Company A. and resides in New Haven. After
the gallant fellow was shot, picked up his gun with hi,
right hand, and leaning IL the stump OF tree, fired
ono moro shot at tho rebels. Drs Gallagher and Avery
OF the Ninth doing their best for tho uufortunat,
man, and hope TO save his arm.
AZ tho rebels fed they attempted TO burn bridg,
over small piece Of wator lying between their camI
and the place Of the skrmsh; but troops tot
fast for them and prevented it.
At about i've O'Clock in tho afternoon our troop
reached Camp suggvilc (ho name Of the rebel oamp)
There they found evidences Of tho most sudden dspar
turs Dinners cooked and waiting TO be caten clothing
rnkets y ing about in profusion and everything
noting sudden stampede. The camp most Iuxu
riously furnished The tents Of the best pattern
tho officers quarters supplied with feather bed
and superior trunks we'll filed with good clothing all be
okcuing Unusual comfort for the soldiers life AS ou
officers had boon informed that two sections or arter
had loft ia the morning for Mississippi City to moet ou
troops, whom they supposed would march up from B
loxi and as they would probably return and Gu
of our retreat the wharf, whio the troops that ha
been dispersed would have gained acccssions 10 theI
ranks and would the charge and especially as
was getting dark very fast, Major Strong who was tn
director Of tho expedition, decided that unsafe