Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-09-10
wAsHrseros, Sept. 4.

WAsHrkGros, Sept. 4.
TIE VICTORY II cALIFoRsrA.
The following dispatches were re.
ceived to-day:
"SAS FRAEcrsco. Sept. 5.
Abraham Lincosn-Loyal California
Sends Greeting:
"The Union State and Congress
sioual tickets are elected by a msjority
Of a5. 900 to $4,000.
F. F. Lowe"
BLOCKADE RUEEER DESTROYED.
Admiral Lee transmits to the Navy
Department the following report Of the
destruction Of the blockade runner
Alex. Cooper, which was accomplished
in New Top-Sail Inlet, North Carolina,
August s2.
"U. 8. S. SHookoKoK,
OFF WILMIEGToS, N. c.,
August 96th.
"SrR: have the homer to report
that we have destroyed the blockade
running schooner Alex. Cooper, under
the following circumstances. On the
18th / made: a reconnaissance with
boats in New Topssil Inlet, and was
driven out BY four pieces Of artillery,
stationed opposite its mouth; but not
before had discovered schooner at a
wharf some six miles up the Sound
This schooner 1 determined to destroy,
and as il was SO well guarded / con-
cluded TO use strategy. On the evening
OF the 29d the Shocokon anchored
close into the sea beach, about five
miles from the Inlet, and I sent ashore
two boats crews, who shouldered the
"dingue" and carried it across the
neck OF land that divides the sea from
the Sound. This way is about half
a mile in width and covered with
dense thicket. The crossing placed
my men some miles in the rear of the
artillery force guarding the entrance
The dingue being launched in the in
side water, six men under my executive
officer attached, Ensign Jos. ]. Coury,
started with orders TO destroy or cap
ture anything that could be OF use to the
enemy.
"Now it seems that a 12-pounder
howitzer was stationed at the point for
which we were examining, and the
smoke stack Of my steamer having
been seen over the trees, the Com
mandant Of the port, Capt. Adams
had came down from the main camp to
insure bright lookout.
While the rebels at the schooner's
mast heads were straining their eyes in
looking to the south. my boat was ap-
preaching in another direction, and
the men succeeded in landing about
sixty yards from the wharf without be-
ing discovered. The master alarms,
Robert Clifford, crept into the rebel
camp and counted the men, and having
returned to his shipmates a charge was
ordered, and our seamen hove down on
them with a shout. In a moment the
enemy, who outnumbered us three to
one, were routed, leaving in Mr..
Coury's possession ten prisoners, in
cluding Captain Adams and Lieutenant
Leatham, one twelve FOUNDER, an
army howitzer, eighteen horses, one
schooner and some extensive salt
works. Mr.. Coury then threw out two
pickets, detached two more to guard
the prisoners, and with the remaining
two fired the vessel and the salt works.
These were thoroughly consumed.
"The object Of the expedition being
accomplished, my men returned to the
vessel without loss, bringing with them
three prisoners, all that the boat would
contain. The rebel officers and pri-
Yates dress alike, and my men were at
a loss what three to retain. They set
tied the matter however, by picking out
the three best looking ones who all
turned out to be privates. So the Off
GERS owed their safety to their lack Of
physiognomy, a new feature in military
strategy. While this was going on at
the main land the pickets on the beach
side, under the acting masters mate.
found it fit to engage and repulse the
rebel picket force in that quarter with
out loss on, our side.
"This schooner cleared from New
York for Port Royal with an assorted
cargo, and was towed outside the line
Of blockade by gunboat. shall try
to learn the names of the patriotic per-
sons, il fany, who entered into this little
speculation.
"W. B. CUSHING,
GTieutenant commanding