Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-09-07
DTSPATe HE'S.
FROM WAsHlNGTON.
Exchange Of COlored Prisoners
Blockade Bunner Destroyed
General Hunter Assigned
to the West.
ITO the Chicago Tribuns.l

To the Chicago Tribune.l
WAsH1SaToN, September 4.
Admiral Lee transmits to the Navy De-
partment the following report Of the de-
struction Of the blockade runner Alex.
Cooper, which was accomplished in New
TOp-Sail Inlet, North CsrOlina, August
22d:
o. S. S. SHoCKoKox, off Wilmington,
N. C., August 26th.
SR; have the honor to report that we
have destroyed the blockade running
schooner Alex. Cooper, under the following
circumstances On the 18th made a re-
connoissance with boats in New Topsail
Inlet and was driven out by four pieces of
artillery, stationed opposite its mouth but
not before had discovered schooner at
q wharf some six miles up the Sound. This
schooner determined to destroy, and as It
was so well guarded concluded to use
strategy. On the evening Of the 22d the
Shcckokon anchored close in TO the sea
beach, about five miles from the Inlet, and
l sent ashore two boats crews, who should
cred the "dingue" and carried it across
the neck Of land that divides the sea from
the Sound. This way is about half mile
in width, and covered with dense thicket.
The crossing placed my men some miles
in the rear Of the artillery force guarding
the extreme. The dingue being launched
in the inside water, six men under my ex-
eoutive officer attached, Ensign Jos. J.
Coury, started with orders to destroy or
capture anything that could be of use TO
the enemy.
Now it seems that 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 Commandant Of the port, Cap
tain Adams had came down from the main
camp to insure bright lookout
While the rebels at tbs schooner's mast
heads were straining eyes in looking to
the south, my boat was approaching in
another direction, and the men succeeded
landing about sixty yards from the wharf
without being discovered.
The master-atarms, Robert Clifford,
crept into the rebel camp and counted the
men, and having returned to his shipmatss
charge was ordered, and our seamen
hove down on them with shout. In a
moment the enemy, who outnumbered us
three to one, were routed, leaving in Mr.
Coury possession ten prisoners, including
Captain Adams and Lieutenant Lestham,
one 12-pOunder, an army hOWitzsr, eigh
teen horses, one schooner, and some e1ten-
siVe salt works. Mr.. COury then threw
two pickets, detached two more to guard
the prisoners, and with the remaining two
fired the vessel and the salt works. These
we're acknowledgements.
The object Of the expedition being ac-
complished, my men returned to the vss-
sci without loss, bringing with them three
prisoners-all that the boat would con
tain. The rebel officers and privates dress
alike, and my men were at loss what
three to retain. They settled the matter
however, by picking out the three best
looking ones, who all turned out to be pri-
Yates. So the officers owed their safety to
their lack of physiOgnOmy, q new feature
in military strategy. While this was go
ing on at the main land the pickets on the
beach side, under the acting masters mate,
found fit to engage and repulse the rebel
picket force in that quarter without loss On
our side.
nThis schooner cleared from New FORK
for Port Royal with an assorted cargo, and
was tOwed outside the line Of blockade by
a gunhoat shall try to learn the names
of the patriotic persons, If any, who en-
tercd into this little speculation. q VI A
"W. B. CUsH1Se, .
Lieutenant commanding.
a To acting Rear Admiral s. P. Lee, Com
manding N. A. B. Squadron" .kl
At the Cabinet meeting to-day the sub
jeet Of the exchange of colored prisoners