Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-10-01
Yunk.e Ace ,anis f..m 70. w t4le,i.s.


Barton, and O. orge Cromwell, Captain Pc at TINS
pert from New Orleans, we nave int,g from that
city by the former vessel /" tie 18Th lust tbe news
is of Importance Gen Fruukiiu's command has re-
turned to New Orleans. he Uned States steamers
Clifton and Sacbtm have been captured by the rebels
at Sabine Pass The letters OF correspondents will
be found full Ct interest
The first bale OF cotton OF the growth Of 1868 sent
North was brought by the Columbia, and was shipped
by George HumneweIl and brought auction, in New
Orleans sixty seven and half cents per pound
OUR ExPEDIr1oNARY CORRESPONDENCE.
HDqR's GEN WE1rzE1's DIVISION,
10Th Army Corps Ste'r Belvidere,
Mississippi River, Sept. IL, 1862
The exped ton Of the Nncteeath Army Corps, Ma
iOr General Franklin, commanding, which left New
Orleans on tie 4th instant has returned, without
comprising tue object for which it was despatched
All the preliminary arrangements were made IN the
most expeditions aud secret manner and the pr omise
of most Hlttering up to the very last
ment when combination of those unfortunate acct
cdents which no human fOresgh orSeternDation can
prevent or overcome, turned victory into defeat and
rendered nusetory all the Efforts OF the gallant officers
and composing the expedition compelling them to
rngush for the present the attempt and return to the
baec Cf operations at this place.
ENEMY REPLIES
The action of the enemy, however was the deceptive
calm which often precedes the storm and the sudden
fash of fame which plainly visible from the deck
of the General Banks with the naked eye and the cloud
pet of the enemy, were instantly followed by heavy
shot thrown at the Arizona the largest boat in the
fleet and which passed directly her. striking in the
edge Of the water beyond. This followed quick
succession by shot at the Sachem and another the
Clifton neither of which, however, took effect. The
engagement now became general and very warm the
Clifton and Arizona moving very slowly forward and
back while the brave little Sachem, under heavy fire.
kept pushing steadily forward endeavoring pass the
battery and engage in the rear which supposed
| to be unprotected This movement the enemy OWNED,
and redoubed their fire at her, answered shot for shot
by the three boats the huge shells every instant burst
ing in their midst, carrying destruction in their wake
and knocking great holes in the parape which appeared
of sufficient to admit the passage OF carriage and
horses.
The enemy acted with great bravery, however, and if
their fire slackened instant after of those terrific
explosions which seemed to shake the very earth around
them, it instantly resumed with increased rather
than diminished determination. Gradually but surely
little sacnem was gaPg her 6 desired f position
day would be ALI eyes were bent upon the noble
little craft when suddenly shot was to strike her
amidshps crushing in her sides and tearing their iron
plating Tor the protection of sharpshootrs piece OF
paper and causing her to and trembe from stem
| to stern An instant more and she was enveoped ia
the scadiDg vapor OF escaping steam and lay helpless
wreck, at the mercy of the enemy. The flag low
ered and the enemy ceasing their fire her, turn
ed their entire attention 70 the Clifton probably
of the fact that the draught of the Ariz )na would not
permit her to advance near enough to become very
formidable antagonist. The disabling of the Sachem
at the instant when victory within her grasp
the second of those unfortunate accidents referred to-
and was, OF course, of 50 serious character to i'm
peril the of the entire affair. The Clifton
now the only effective boat engaged She called
upon to do double duty and not tor breath did her
gallant commander and brave crew hesitate, but with
three rousing cheers which heard above the din of
battle they poured III their fire. running in closer and
closer the batteries, in face OF the concentrated fire
of the entire rebel ratification
THIRD ACCIDENT.
| Putting on fall head OF steam, the Clifton ran
swiftly down directly toward the battery, with the in
tenton doubtless, of delivering her broadside, giving
sharp shooters opportunity OF picking OF the enemys
gunners and thus silencing the works. At the same
time the Granite City, and the Gen. Banks, gradually
followed in her wake for the purpose OF reaching the
point of dabe,haton the Clifton had effected
her object although the heavy solid shot and Kissing
shell which intended for the Clifton but which
passed her, came rchochetting along the water al
most reaching them. Just the Clifton gained the
point she aimedat reaching, and her bow thrown
round slightly the act OF turning, she struck the
octy with which she running driving her long
distance into the thin mad at the bottom Ol the pass
At the same time hitherto undiscovered battery to
tue left of the main work. and in easy range opened
upon her she lay, her broadsde Offering target OF
which the enemy took every advantage. The gallant
Croker kept up constant tire from bow and broad
side guns the quick rifles loaded with double charges
of grape being poured into the main work, sweeping
the parapet clean at every discharge, and killing the
enemy by scores, while with his brOaGsde guns he ad
minstered dose after dose OF shell and solid shot to the
battery the LETT. Lying he did he would proba-
bly, have succeeded in se2cing the main work. thus en-
abDg the troops land had it not been for the broad
side work for it from that his boat was disabled
Up to this time she had sustained material damage
The shots which ha struck her had been harmless to
tie ship, and but very few of his Injured
But fate against him. and he was Obliged TO sue
cumb shot from the small battery struck bis boat
about the certre passing through her side and entirely
through the boiler leaving her stranded wreck at the
enemys mercy The flag instantly lowered, but
the firing still continued both from the boat and he bat
teres. 1t must have been lowered without the captains
knowledge, be may have been kill ID and the crew
left without leader. An instant more and just after
shower OF grape from the enemy poured into the
noble little craft the white flag was run up aud the fir
ing ceased. The engagement concluded. Brave
hearts and manly forms had been sacrificed upon the
altar of their country, but without There
but available gunboat unipjured, the Arizona, and
she il Die of offensive operations against works
of such strength. She Immediately withdra wn
from the unequal cont st and the order reluctantly is
sued to the faet to withdraw.
THE RESULTS.
Considering the number OF the force engaged it is
doubtful if any affair of tie whole war can compare
with the battle of Sabine Pass in obstnacy of fighting
loss of life and the amount OF interest involved 10 the
enemy it was matter of life and DEATH and to the
Union forces it the opening battle OF most bill
liant campaign. The enemy retained their prize but
their loss has been undoubtedly without precedent in the
annals of the war; and they WILL the midst of their
rejoicing trembe at the thought of repetition of the
attack There were board of the Clifton beside her
crew, party of sevenyhye shar pshooters and three
of the signal corps and the Sachem detachment of
thirty sharpshooters. Of the of the Clifton FIVE
soldiers, one sailor and one signal man escaped down
the beach, and were taken off by boat from the feet
IF Cd oo1 pIo1 Ioro