Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-18
PROM WAsHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, June II.
| Commodore Dupont has forwarded to the Ma
/ w department report from Lieut.. Command
ing Ammon, Of the United States gunboat sene-
I en-, at MaypOrt Mills, St. Johns River, Florida.
/ announcing the death Of Lieut.. John SprOusten
/ the executive officer Of that vessel. June sth.
| he LEFT in command Of three boats with acting
| Master j. II. Rogers, Masters Mate Fiske, and
! forty men with small arms. He was ACCOMPANIED
| by 80 men from the PatrOon. The object was 10
! capture a man named Geo. Huston, Captain of
q Company Of rebels now in the vicinity Of
Black Creek. ! was informed Huston boasted Of
having hung a negro pilot who was captured at
the time Of tho death Of Lieut.. Bldd, near
Smyrna. On that account ! wished him as a
prisoner for the purpose Of recovering the tran
guilty Of persons along this river, most of
whom doubt not would gladly acknowledge
the Government Of the United Stat0s were they
not in fear Of violence from men Of this charac-
ter
1t sprouston landed at early daylight and pro-
eeeded rapidly with his party to the house Of
Huston, The latter, it appears, was apprised Of
ms coming, and met him at the door armed with
a double barreled gum two pistols and bowie
knife Huston demanded SproustOn to surren-
der hifnselfa prisoner. Huston then fired at him
with pistol, the ball entering high up on the
left breast killing him instantly. Huston dis
charged the other pistol and gun without further
injury to our party, and was instantly wounded
in four places, and brought on board He is sup
posed to be mortally wounded Several shots
were fired from HustOn's house by persons who
escaped. Illusions firing upon 1t Sprouston
supported as he was by large force, is Wilful
murder, and involved the necessity Of his own
destruction, Commander Dupont, writing Of 1t
Sprouston, says he was an able, brave and devo-
ted officer. He was from the State Of MARYLAND
He had come under my observation on the
China Station in 5s He was distinguished
while in command Of one Of the boats which de-
stroyed the rebel privateer, under the guns of
the Pensacola Navy Yard, in September 1861,
and his whole conduct during the war has been
gallant and meritOriOus I consider him a great
loss to the feet and the service
F. L. Plumb, ESQ, bearer of dispatches from
Mexico, arrived here Saturday. Plumb left the
city Of Mexico on the 2Istult and Vera Cruz on /
Postal Convention and Extradition Treaty con-
eluded with Mexico last December, the ratidca-
tiOns Of which were exchanged in the city of
Mexico on the 10th ult
The news Of the defeat Of the French at Pueb- |
Ia Is fully confirmed. The Mexican forces were |
not, as has been stated, in greater number than |
the French. On the contrary, theV were in less, |
and portion Of them only had the advantage Of |
intrenehments.
The fight was brayely contested on both sides. |
but IN each of the three determined charges the /
French we're vaiiantly repulsed and forced to |
retire.
Since their retreat to Orizaba, the French /
forces have been closely hemmed in at that |
place, but no attnek upon them will probably be /
made until the disposition Of the Emperor is /
known. 1t Is still hoped that he will withdraw /
his support from the reckless schemes Of Solip- /
ny and Almonte
The policy Of the Constitutional Government
thus far has been purely defensive, and no feel
ing OF anlmosity has as yet been aroused against
either the French people or the Emperor, but ]
the hatred against Soligny and Almonte and /
their partizans is intense.
A feW Acting Assistant Surgeons are wanted by /
the Navy Department for temporary service