Smyrna times., 1862-11-20
Letter from the BlOckading Sqadron.
U. S. GUNBoAT " "WIssmcKoN Ossebaw Sound,
Coast of Ga, Saturday, Nov. lst, 1862.
Friend Times:


u S. GUNBoAT WIssmcKoN, Ossebaw Sound,
Coast of Ga, Saturday, Nov. 1st, 1862. (
Friend Times:
have frequently read Of the dull
ness one is subjected 10 while lying on the blockade
but never before realized it. Having now had lit
tie experience myself in the matter am fully salts
lSied Of the truth Of what have hitherto only read
Of Stationed here, in an out-oi.the place, with
no communication with the land, and a mail once
only in two or three weeks, is not placed in a
position TO see or hear anything Of interest whatever
except it be. indeed, the occasional arrival of dis
scrter, with some information relative to the condi
ton of the South. Such an event took place day
or two ago-a German from a rebel battery situated
on the Okeechce river about three miles from where
we were lying. He was picked up in a nearly ex
hausted condition by Of our small boats Be-
fore giving you his statement let me briefly write
you what has occurred since my brief letter immc
diately after arrival at Port Royal
After lying in harbor day or two, during which
time we took in coal, cleared ship, &c. we were or
eered to take aboard troops for the Broad river ex
petition; which, being done, we, in company with
tho other gunboats and transports, Immediately pro-
cesded up the river. l would have written you OF
this expedition, but the steamer for the North left
Port Royal after our return to that habor
that had not time and our readers have, ere
this, been informed, thr ugh the daily papers, with
reference to it, do not deem it necessary To- more
then refer to it here, suffice it to say, that as our
troops did not succeed in burning the railroad bridge
(thc object of the r1pedition) 1.-THE expedition
may be regarded as a failure
Upon returning to Port Royal we were ordered TO
proceed up Beaufort river, to the town of that name
and there landed the troops aboard u.s. We reached
there late in the evening, and remained till mex.
morning, about 10 o'clock, when we got under way
and were soon at Port Royal once mae.
| Beaufort is beautiful little town-a summer re.
ut for a number of aristocratic nabobs of Soutb
| Carolina. 1t presents a fine appearance from the
riVer-the houses being built frsnting it, and are
mostly provided with shade trees. They are gener.
ally well-bullt, commodious and, from all outward
appearances in good condition. They are said to be
at present inhabited by contrabands and refugees.
! We had not long been buck 20 our old ANCHORAGE
| when learned we were to be sent to Ossebaw
Sound, off the coast of Georgia. and in short time
we were steaming for that point 1t is distant about
forty miles frcm Port Royal, and We expected II
reach there in few hours. Stcamng along very
pleasantly, everything looked favorahly indeed, bu
a sudden thump, thump, humP, warned us that ou
good ship had touched bottom. The engines wer,
Immediately stopped and two small boats, unde
charge Of the lst Lieutenant and Muster sent out t.
take soundings around the ship. In the meantime
guns were fired, in order to make known our stua
tion to the other boats the blockade Signal light
were also set off, which, after a while, were an
swered; but about this time the engines having beel
reversed, and kept going, had the satisfaction o
seeing our boat once more afoat. The anchor wa
"let CO." and the night quietly passed. Next morn
ing the DdDn came to as, and we safely pilot
5 ed in. We were aground, suppose, about an hour
: Very little fear exhibited by the crew, and t
this fact | attack my own coolness, for knowing
nothing about the extent of cur danger resolved
: be governed by those around me-many of them b,
ing old seamen. Never before was l placed in
position 10 notice the effect upon a ship when ugrount
l and great was my surprise to such tremOr ru
from end to the other. At times the deck woul
shake like leaf, and. If not thinking one was h,
c ly to be thrown down. There quite feeling
IS relief when we were once more in deep water.
l We now the flagship of the little squadro
is collected here, Lieut. Comm. Davis. Of our boat, b.
ing the senior officer. There are several butteric
: located near anchoring ground, and would NJ
: be surprised at any time find our little fleet
+ motion to attack them-Parcularly the dcserte
referred to in the first part of this letter, brougl
y considerable information relative TO them. As
n have now brought my down to the time of HI
a arrival will give you the substance of his narr;
n tive, as communicated to me by himself.
e As before stated, he is u German, calls himse
IS Martin Seelig, and appears to be a man OF eonsdc
able intelligence. New Orleans has been his plaC
Of residence for several years back, and here he
sided at the breaking of the rebellion. He claim
to be we'll acquainted with BsRuregard, and says
3, tthe deserter) first connection with the army was
y the capacity Of clerk 10 that distinguished rebs
Z lie afterwards was clerk in the Quartermaster
n Department and was with the rebel army in Virgin
e ia during the days battle around Richmon
W lie lett Virginia soon after that bloody struggl
L with the intention OF going to New Orleans if pnss
J bic, and there join his family, but upon his arrival
Is Columbus, Ca he received letter from friend
Mobile informing him that il would be impossib
G. for him TO get to New Orleans though he
ID to Mobile. About this time the conscript law wa
1t being rgidly enforced throughout the South, an
e having stopped at Columbus for time, he 500
t. found himself impressed into the service and rate
ID as bugler From this time he resolved to escape
VI possible Being stationed at battery located ne'
te here and aware that our gunboats were lying but
W short distance from them, he left the encampmsn
70 and, after some search found small canoe 10 whic
~