Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-02-11


The Ship Island correspondent of the Bos-
ton Journal gives very interesting account
OF the capture of Biloxi. The Water Witch,
the New London, and the Lewis, were the ves-
sells engaged in the expedition. We make
some extracts from the narrative =
PEACEFUL LANDING.
Commander Smith, accompanied by acting
master Ryder of the Massachusetts, landed
at the wharf near the light, and were met by
two or three men, of whom they requested to
see the mayor of the city. A crowd soon col
lected, one OF whom was armed with double
barrelied gun, an old cavalry sword, and sill
yer mounted Colts revolver, both OF which he
persisted i'll wearing on. the same side of his
belt, and appeared to be commander of the
battery While some of the citizeus went off
III quest of the chief magistrate, some twenty
hye or thirty men, armed with shot guns,
were seen lurking around the battery and pa
rade ground in the rear. The sailors entered
into conversation with the citizens some of
whom pretended to be loyal, and said they
were afraid to express their Union sentiments
for fear OF being lynched. While the hus
bands and children were on the wharf await
ing the result of the demonstration, Il few
frightened wives and mothers were seen peer.
ing from behind buildings, out of windows,
and from the cover of the shrubbery, with
their hoods drawn over their faces, looking
with intense anxiety upon the group at the
pier The citizens, male and leuale, gather
ed in knots on the principal street, and discuss.
ed the subject of the invasion.
They were shy at first and kept aIoof from
the federal officers, but seeing no harm offered
them, they gradually became communicative,
and when asked the news, said that telegraph
ic messages had been received announcing
that England had declared war against the
United States Finding his intelligence did
not surprise the officers they acknow lodged
that the reports which they received were very
contradictory, and i'll evidence, said they had
heard that there were 5000 troops on Ship
Island, and again that there were 40 600.
ARRIVAL OF THE MAYOR.
After short time the mayor, an old man
about sixty, made his appearance armed with
a shot gun, which he left at the head of the
pier, seeing that its visitors wore only their
side arms. He inquired the object OF their
visit, to winch commander Smith replied, III
have come to demand the surrender of the
town with all the Notifications, battery and
vessels in the waters, and all military and
warlike stores Ills honor inquired what
length of time would be allowed them to re
move the women aud children. Capt. Smith
replied that there was no necessity for the
women and children retiring unless they in
tended TO offer resistance, and he would give
him one hour in which to consult the citizens
on the subject The mayor wanted an armis-
tice of twenty-four hours, but finding Capt
Smith iufieXible he went off to confer with his
constituents; returning at the expiration of the
hour.
TIE TOWN SURRENDERED.
The mayor, on his return, was accompanied
by Judge Holley, DIR. Frazer, French physi.
clan, aud several citizens The mayor ad
dressing Commander Smith, said :-"Sir, |
surrender you the town of Biloxi and the
battery, owing to the utter impossibility of
defending it; but | can not guarantee you any
safety outside the limits of the town" COM
mander Smith assured the mayor and the
citizens that we came for the purpose of re-
moving the guns from the battery and at the
same lime To protect them in their lawful
occupation. He had 10 desire or orders to
interfere with their institutions or to land
troops. lie told them that he intended to
make good Union men of their citizens in spite
OF themselves, but the mayor replied :--"Don't
fatter yourself" and rabid secessionist-the
cavalry officer--added :-"Old Abe Lincoln
will never make Union man OF me I'll pack
myself and wife in q buggy and be off for
New Orleans" Some of the other citizens
manifested a similar spirit, but, on being
shown the folly OF their ways, concluded to
remain.
The battery was then destroyed and the
guns were renewed. The alarm and anxiety
aud suffering Of the people are thus de-
scrbgd -
The deepest anxiety was depicted on every
counicnance, aud the people betrayed by their
looks aud conversation their fears that all the
horrors of a sacked aud pilIa 1ed town awaited
thrur. The women especially were in the
highest state Of frenzy, aud chung to- the skirts
Of the nay or for protection aud advice, rs lie
was going TO consult the citizens. They had
been told that the northern soldiers were
set OF barbnrians, and given to pilage and
rapne. But not even a pins value was taken
by the sailors from any private dwelling, not
an indecent word spoken, and no intrusion or
insult offered TO any OF the citizens, whose as
punishment at the behavior OF our men was
only equaIed by their previous fright.
lhe people appeared to be in very desti.
tule condition, some wanting shoes, some
clothing and others bread One smart look
ing la'l said to his mother, in hearing of
the officers, 4 don't care if | do vet taken
prisoner to which the other replied. Nor
eilh,r, Tor then shall he sure to yet enoupL
10 eat Another clap Of rpbellous tendenci .
said, I've heard some talk Of starving us into
submission, but they'll have to put blockade
On the mullet ia kind OF fish, before they can
do this"
little boy approach ed Mid. Woodward
aad with u wibttul air and bes, ceiling tone