New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-17

sent Ia a gunboat on reconnaissance, which re
resulted in the discovery that the defenses of thai
herbor were abandoned. The Rebels had deserted =
casernated fort on st. Slmons Island which mounted
30 guns. and was work Of great strength. The
feet finally arrived in St. Andrews Sound late in the
afternoon. The Ottowa, Capt. Stevens, and two OF
three other gunboats sent in to sound aud buoy
ont the channel, the rest Of the feet remaining Al
anchor outside during the night
Sunday morning Com. Dupont transferred biz flag
from the Wabaah to tie DIohcan, Commando Cor
don. All the feet, but the Wabash and Susqne-
hanna, were to attems the nsd: passage from 81.
Andrews Sound and Fegnaadna harbor, by way Of
Cumberland Inlet and Sound. Thee two vessels
drew far too much water TO ,hink of going inside,
ana could Lot get over the bar from tie outside into
fernandina. The outline Of the plan Of attack was
rs follows: AL the yessels but the two above
named were expected to get through Cumberland
Sound, passing 10 the west Of Cumberland Island
and Amelia Island, on which latter Fernandina is
situated. Batteries were known TO be erected On
Cumberland, and on both sides of Fort Clnca, which
are designed rs the chief fortications o. the harbor
but bad never been entirely completed 1t was
hoped that al might be taken in flank, and that the
sea isceS OF Fort Clinch and s tie batteries might
prove to he most strongly fortified leaving the others
comparatively unprotected, the difficult character of
tic inside channel being relied on by the Rebels to
prevent the approach o; the heavier vessels. II was
not tuppotoi that the Wabash and Slsquehanna
would 10 able 10 get near enough outside TO join
actively in the attack, but they were to send force
Of sailors drilled infantry and the run launches
and cutters would land their howitzers and crews and
attempt one Of the batteries on Cumberland. The
order OF sailing FOX the feet was the Z" line ahead"
The Ottawa, Capt Stevens, leading followed by the
Mohican, and other shrs nearly as above given.
The vessels were directed to keep tie coses order
consistent with safety, for mutual support, and
to take immediate advantage Of tie piloage Of the
vessels preceding. Arriving at Cumberland Island.
the batteries were TO be engaged at once and under
cover OF the general FIVE one battery TO be as
slulted by the land force in rear the other BY the
battalion Of marines under Major Reynolds and the
Wabash sailors. Meantime the feet was TO push Oh,
engaging Fort CEnch, and It's supporting batteries,
with tie design to silence their fire on that side, in
order that the transports conveying the troops might
pass into Amelia River, which forms the west side
Of Amelia Island, and then landing in rear might
prevent the escape of the Rebel roops, and if neces
sary storm the Rebel fort and carry the batteries
with the bsyonel. a gunboat was 10 push on at the
same time TO get possession Of the railroad bridge
which crosses from tie island while tho Susque.
hanna was to lie outside near enough 10 sweep the
lower part Of the island with her shells, and thus
completely prevent the escape Of the Rebel forces,
aud compel the surrender of tie whole.
Asibe fleet ssooS into St. Andrews Sound on this
beautiful Sunday morning. they LETT Oh the right tie
channel which leads TO Brunswick, and rounding the
ianer point of Little Cumberland steamed slowly
up the rapidly -naErowing channel. The Larbor is a
ine one, completely projected and nayigablo by
arge voses l0r distance beyond the lighthouse
the point. Rebel force had been stationed ct tlia
point bat ran away a. IN curly hour. As the Ottawa
led tho way Lieut. White Landed in the gig with
only the boats crew, and hois;ed the Srais and
the channel itself. AZ The Alabama Was steering II
over the bar she picked up solitary negro N bosi,
who had padded cut 70 sea 70 meet the enter
ing vessels. lie came from far inland, had started
TO escape list May almost year ago, aud ever SINCE
been working his way through incredible diiculties
toward tie chance Of freedom. Reaching d. An
drews only he uignt before, lis skH had grounded
on bank Of mud, and wearied by Lila efforts to get
her OIL he fell aseep in the boat aud slept III mora-
;pg. Waking with tie funlybt, he saw tie feet.
His account given to Com. Dupont wac cbild-hke IN
is simplicity. IA be raised his head above the gun
yale OF the boat, his eyes fell On tIr,e unexpected
yessel, Of which at frat be knew not what to think,
bu, amazed and hai.irghtened ne dropped again into
the bottom Of the canoe and there lay" lie said,
% and thought and peeped again. aud then thought,
and then pcoped once more and SAW the Trees and
,rauevnes and then / thought these hot our people,
tboes must DO the Yankees" So the ska was
launched in all haste, aud the Eir-rayeled much-en
during fugitive found "a welcome ON tie Yankee
feet. and ended lis wanderings on the quarterback
Of nm American ship-of-war, tie flagship OF Com.
Dupont.
From the narrowness and difficulty Of the channel
II WA found necessary 10 abandon the attempt 10
carry through tie heavy vetsels. The fee; lay az
anchor during Sunday, and on The next morning
Commodore Dupont with most Of the fleet returned
through the Sonnd to take the outside passage. Com
mander c. T.. p. Rodgers OF the Wabash was put in
command OF tho squadron Of lighter gunboate and
TRANSPORTS. which were still to attempt the inland
route. taking tic Pawnee, Commander Drayton, rs
Ibi, aap-ship--a vessel Of light draA bat Of great
lorQh for such 40 intricate channel. Capt. Rodgers
eouadron contested OF the Pawnee, Ottawa, Seneca,
Huron. Pembna. Isaac Smith. Penguin, Foiomsha
and Ellen, tho Mcclellan, which had on board 'he
battalion Of marines, aud the transport steamer Doe
ton with . regiment Of infantry.
Tie channel was extremely barrow, and The water
no. very familiar TO any Of the pilots The Pewnee
vas soon agrouni, aud spent couple Of hours IN
ltry.ue 10 get Of. Most of the other yessel'
touched on the same place, and before they were Oh
q. 1 u