The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-20
FLAGSHIP WABASH,
OF st. Augustine, Fla, March -.

DIX
Having on the 7th despatched division OF
my force to hold Brunswick, consisting of the
Mohican, Pocahontas, and Potomac, under Com
Gordon, shifted my flag from the first named
vessel to the Pawnee and organized another
squadron Of light vessels, embracing the four
regular gunboats, Ottawa, Seneca Penbna and
Huron, with the Isaac Smith and Ellen, under
Lieut.. Commanding Stevens to proceed without
delay to the mouth OF the st. Johns river, cross
If possible its difficult and shallow bar feel the
forts if still held and push on to Jack
sonville, indeed to 60 as far as Pilatka, eighty
miles beyond to reconnoitre and capture river
steamers
This expedition was to be accompanied by
the armed launches and cutters of the Wabash
under Lieut.. Erwin and Barnes, and by light
draft transport with the 7th N. Ii. regiment
After arranging with Brigaeier Gen. Wright
our joint occupation of the Florida and Georgia
coast including protection from injury to the
mansion and grounds of Gemgens on Cumber-
land Island, originally the property of the rev.
dictionary hero and patriot, General Green,
and still owned by his descendants, and leaving
commander Percival Drayton in charge of the
naval force | rejoined this ship, waiting for me
of Fernandina, and proceeded with her Oft St.
Johns, arriving there on the 9th.
The gunboats had not yet been able to cross
the bar, but expected to do 50 the next day, the
Ellen only getting in that evening. AS at Mas
sau, which was visited by Lieut.. commanding
Stevens on his way down, the iorts seemed to be
abandoned. There being, no probability that
the iiurvn could enter despatched her OF 81
Augustine, when | followed her, arriving on
the llth | immediately sent on shore com
manoer c. p. Rogers with a FLAG of truce, having
reason to believe that ii there were any people
on this coast likely to remain IN their LDnses, 1t
would be nc st. Augustine. enclose comman-
der Rogers most interesting report, which am
sure the Department Will read with satisfaction
The American flag IS flying once more over
that old city, raised by the hands ol It's own
people, who resisted the appeals, threats and
,alsenoods of their leaders, though compelled
10 witness the carrying off of their sons N the
ranks of the lying enemy.
This gives us POSSESSION OF u second nationa
fort OF strength and Importance. Since VIII
ting the above have received by the Isaac Smltt
u report from Lieut.. Commanding Stevens o
his operations in St. Johns river, giving details
of great interest From Lieut.. Commandin,
| Nichols learn with regret OF acts of vandal
ism on the part of the rebel commodore not thl
| people i'll setting fire to vast quantity of lum
Der and the saw mills in that region owned b.
Northern men supposed to have Union sympa
thies.
La all this varied and difficult service, havin,
to contend with surf, shores, dangerous bars
and inland navigation, in IN enemy's country
think it due to the officers and men under IN.
command to say that they have OIL all OCCASION
displayed great spirit ana ability, fully COMM
ny to my requirements and expectations.
Very respectfully,
S. +. DU PoNT, Flag. Officer.
10 Hon. GIDEON WELLw,
| Secretary Of the Navy.