Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-20

WASHINGTON, March 10 -Commodore Du-
pont threatens to capture all Florida. lie
started two naval expeditions, one of which
took possession OF Jacksonville and the other
St. Augustine The valuable mills, lumber,
and hotel at Jacksonville had been burnt by
order of the rebel general Traper. The fol
lowing is Capt Rogers account of his visit to
St. Augustine -
UNITED STATES FLAGsmIP WABASH, off
ST. Augustine, Fla, March u, 1862 Sir
Having crossed the bar with some difficulty,
in obedience to your orders, l approached St.
Augustine under flag of truce, and as drew
near the city white flag was hoisted upon
one of the bastions of fort Macon. Landing
at the wharf and inquirng tor the chief au-
thority, l was soon joined by the mayor, and
conducted to the city hall, where the munich
pal authorities assembled. l informed them,
that, having come 10 restore the authority of
the United States, you had deemed it more
kind to send an unarmed boat to inform the
citizens of your determination, than to occupy
the town at once by force OF arms that you
was DESTROYS to calm all apprehensions OF harsh
treatment that might exist in their midst; that
you would carefully respect the persons and
property of all citizens who submitted
to the authority of the United States that
you had single purpose to restore the
state of affairs which existed before the
EGUeltlUH. tuuulElpdI dulDOTl-
ties that so long as they respected the author
ity of the government we serve, and acted in
good faith municipal affairs would be left in
heir own hands so tar as might be consistent
with the exigencies of the times.
The mayor and council then informed me
that the place had been evacuated the preced-
ing night by two companies of florida troops
and that they gladly received the assurances
gave them and placed the city in my hands.
.l.s.l al I.-..A e
Union ut once, and, in prompt accoI dance with
the advice, by order OF The may or the national
ensign was displayed from the flagstaff OF the
fort. The may or proposed to turn over TO me
the five cannon mounted at the fort, which
are in good condition and not spiked,
and also the few munitions of war
left by the retrealing enemy. | desired him
to take charge OF them Tor the present, to
make careful inventories and establish a pa
troll and guard, informing him that he would
be held responsible for the place until our
force should enter the harbor.
called upon the clergymen of the city, re-
guessing them to reassure their people and to
cOntide in our kind intentions towards them
About fifteen hundred persons remain in St.
Augustine, about One-fiflh of the inhabitants
having fled. | believe there are many cit-
zens who are earnestly attached to the Union
large number who are silently opposed to it,
dHu sun larger WIN cal e very lille
about the matter. l think that nearly all the
men acquiesce in the condition o, affairs we
are now establishing. There is much violent
and peslient feeling among the women.
They seem to mistake treason for courage,
and have theatrical desire TO figure
as heruines. Their minds have doubt
less been filled with the fllsehoods 80 indus
triously circulated in regard to the lust and
hatred of our troops. On the night before our
arrival, bevy OF women assembled III front
OF the barracks and cut down the flag staff, in
order that it might not be used 10 support the
cid flag The men seemed anxious to concili'
ate in every way. There is great scarcity
of provisions in the place. There seems to be
no money except the wfetched paper curren.
cy of the rebellion, and much poverty exists.
In the water battery at the fort are three
fine army thlrty-two FOUNDERS, and two eight
inch seacoast howitzers, with shot, and some
powder There are a number OF very old
guns in the fort, useless, and not mounted.
Several good guns were taken away some time
ago, to arm batteries at other harbors. The
garrison OF the place sent from st. Augustine,
at midnight on the 10Th, tor Smyrna (where
are said TO be about eight hundred trGops), a
battery for the steamer Carolina, and con-
siderable quantity Of arms and ammunition.
1t is very positively stated that the governor
has ordered the abandonment Of East Florida,
and proposes to make stand near Apalachlco-
la. e. p. ROGERS, Commander.