The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-01-17
Narrow Escape Of the Cumbris
from the Rebels.
HaYttns Of an Expedition to Rscaplare tn
Harriet Lane at all Hazards.

aAvices 9Th Of January here
o'clock yesterday afternoon
The rebels encroachng upon the Union INES in
sAs nsghborhood Of Donaidsonve; but NO danger was
apprehended therefrom.
TAe affair at Galveston the let instant had caused
ssasral feeling Of gloom among the army and navy.
Admiral Tarragut had sent ne Brooklyn the Scixa and
81 al hasards aad possibs to destroy tie rebel sunbos
- Bayos Buffalo. O this expedition nothing had been
heard In New Orleans up 70 the 9Th instant.
General Banks had been command . month; but
noshing Of his plans had transpired. Il was known.
however, that was idle. Most Of his troops had
gone TO Baton Rouge.
Tho CumbrIa, Captain Sumner has also arrived
from New Orleans Our correspondents account Of her
hesy escape from The rebels n Galveston 10 quite in
ssvesting.
Our New Orleans Correspondenee.
NEW ORLEANS, La, Jan. 8, 1868.
M Escape @ ne Cussbrta from Golveos-7As Troops She
7bok from New Orkans-ApprsAensions for Tie Safety
~ vcsel-fne Return Of tie CNnbria-Trtcks Of SecesA
Paat-HoW Tankes coptain Served Hsns-Baek to Ne0
osleans-W Was ae Hayria Lane Injured S1As Rebel A.
tack Galusaon-Particuorsf from Rebel Sources DC.
In my last despatch 70 the HERALD. by the Mississippi
the evening Of the oth IL announced that the
transport Cumbria had been elographsd from mouth
d the river She has since arrived here, and
aSed to furnish full and trustworthy OF her
adventures and her fortunate escape from Galveston TO-
Esther with many interesting particulars in regard 70
events there during the last few days.
have already explained that the Cumbra sailed from
this port for Galveston, with troops and supplies She
had board Colonel E. Davis Of the First regiment
Texas cavalry hundred and fifty soldiers Of the Sec
end Texas cavalry q section Of the Second ver-
mont battery, number Of Colonel Davis oficerss
end several officers Of the Forty
Massachusetts, regiment who their way 70 join
their companies In Galveston. She also had board
Lieutenant Proctor Of regiment whose brother
captain Of Company c. and captured at Calves.
ton when Colonel BurriI surrendered his command
Colonel J. Davis Of the First Texas cavalry 10 .
sermined loyast. well known such IN Texas, whence
he compelled ny escape death the hands
the rebels. Having been authorized 70 raise a
regiment Of cavalry for the brigade Of General
A. Hamilton, Military Governor OF Texas, he has been
gathering the refugees that who are willing
enter the SERVICE and has already enlisted about four
hundred OF them In this city. His object In going to
Galveston was 10 Ill up his regiment.
When known that Of our feet bad remained
on Galveston to the transports approaching the
harbor that oil had returned without falling In with
The Cumbria the most serious apprehsnsons felt
for her safety, and regarded almost certain that
she had fallen into the hands Of the enemy
Tho Cumbra left New Orleans the eveang Of De-
Gambler 81 and arrived OF Galveston bar ane anchored
sixteen miles to the southwest Of It, the evening Of
Friday, January O. This the day after our disaster
and the enemy Of course, in full possession She lay
here during the night The morning Saturday rainy
and the city Of Galveston scarcely visible eight O'Clock
the vessel weighed anchor and approached the bar but
no pilot boat visible, and she fred gun . signal
Tor pilot. This not responded TO in any manner
which all hands thought extraordinary; yet, while ali
tha A.lox liz
and during the afternoon despatched TO the
city report the arrival Of the Cumbra end secure
pilot. This boat contained Mr.. smith, Texas ref ugce
aud Ave Of the crew. who Of course taken by the
rebels tho moment they landed.
Hour after hour passed. still return Of the boat
and signal tdings from shore. The officers by aid
q their glasses, enabled SOC nags, notwith.
standing tho fog; but they were quite unable
make whether they foated the Stars and
Stripes stars and bars As the entire afternoon
passed, however without any return Of the boat which
had been despatched or any tdings whatever from the
shore all became suspicious that something wrong
aud when night at last settled down upon the there
vas rm determination, strongly felt not expressed,
to exercise the greatest caution before entering the
Dor the nox morning. even If pilot should make his ap-
peirance.
ON undAy morning, having already lain on the bar full
thirty ho.rs the Captain again weighed anchor and
slowly cruised about Al last abou, eleven O'Clock In
sn,roachng direction the city, with four men
tn her. She passed the Cunbra at distance and
inquired how much water the vessel drew.
Captain Sumner, OF the Cumbria, replied "that she
drew nine ana half fcet and the man said there
then ON the barr
Are you piotf" asked the Captain.
YES was the answer.
NO was IL reply Of the spokesman from the boat
am not the rcSu.Ar pilot The regular pilot rs busy He
has 70 pilot OUT bark which going 70 sea- but you
VIII follow M VIII pilot you IN, and go ahead and take
the soundingsn
Captain sumner, whose sus,c,ons were fully aroused
u~d pott oles
The pretended pilot 81 without bringing him pont
ing himself into fun view. and wa Immediately recor
nized by sumbcr ~ the Texans board the, Cnmbra
"fiow are you, Captain Payne'" shouted Of the
Texans
The pretesdsd pilot, finding hm.sf discovered was
sezsd with frernor turned CHASTITY pale, and hid hts
face IN confusso. Nevertheless, he roped "Im Grst
bow your
tome aboard, sir !" raid Captain suua.er.
'No, no . replied Captain Payne, "thare many
damned blue coats aboard there 20 suii mo"
come aboard, sirr sheuted the Captain
But ayne had idea Of allowing himself 10 he caught
and wan. meantime, making OF
81 DIN want 70 come sboard,r he shouted. "FoIcw
the, and III guide you the bar; but I'm not the
regular pilot pvc told ysl and don't want TO take
the responsibility OF your vessel"
WHO'S u ocnmArd At Galveston inquired the Cap
tain.
Commodore Wainwright, p was tho reply
Como aboard, ssy p cried ooi the Captain
No, no, ssid Payne, stan making ~.
Tue Captain ordered the TEXANS TO stand AZ n
ready With their carbnes. flo also called out, a. n
p n @n me say s that the portfolios mast
rc The pilot herring this aud witness ing the pretSrs
tons 70 Gre upon Inn stoppci will, great reluctance
finally on board, He then told that no INNS,
PHO, tho vessel IN, and thai anything was wrnng1 no
leading the vessel into trap-hm brains poulS 80
DC wn out upon the spot. -
well, gentlemen said the plot, very pale ,rd ,o
great terror, ~ suppose there " ~ iy,nv 81 49,
any more az soc am Known /" lie then told The tru,i
tina, Galveston IN possesso OF the rebels ana ~,
ile gun bOais ha1 al lelt lie made prisoner ~.
for M explained the three rebefs in tho bos
.sre Above 10 no mack tho city AZ they sanad ~
gne pretended rloi al pited out 70 thoms-
,'Goodbye Take GO u care q nsy clothes md tsnhe
boys 70 oos out for themSlves
tsytsn sumner hen ord,sa 'hs engineer @ PIT On 81,