New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-11
From Our Special Correspondent.
ST. CHARLES HOTEL, NEw-C

ST. CHARLES HOTEL, NEw-oaLs.ss La
jan. 80, 1903.
have another naval disaster 10 chronicle, similar
TO- though not 80 bad as, that which occurred month
ago at Galveston, Texas, and, like it, transpirng on
the same coast. The news, in the shape Of brief
telegram from down the river, announcing the cap
ture Of the United States blockading vessels Morning
Light and Velocity, and the burning of the former
BY the Rebels of Sabine Pass reached this city on
the night Of tie 18th. visit TO the Tennessee yes
terday morning afforded me the following paIt.cu-
lars:
The Tennessee Ia large side.wheel steamer, char
tered by the Government as q transport anu gnH'
boat left this port the 10Th OF the month"; being
under orders to carry dispatches from Commodore
Farragut TO Commander Bell OF the blochading
squadron off Galveston, and also to stop On her way
at Sabine Pass for the purpose Of putting on board
of the Morning Light Acting Master Partridgethe
same gentleman who experienced such an opportune
escape from the notorious "290' when, deceived By
her stimulation Of lauJu} British vessel, he WAS
about to visit her from the unfortunate Hatteras,
which she subsequently destroyed.
Arriving of the bar on the evening Of the 2lst,
juet after sunset, the Tennessee sighted q large
steamer, strongly resembling the object Of her
quest, though her top epsrs and the yards on her
mizzenmast had been removed and her Jibboom was
rugged Enghsh fashion. Behind her lay another
vessel iDdistinctly made out in the fest gathering
darkness. Recognizing the Morning Light in spite
Of her disguise and rendered additionally oissrds;-
full Of what might have happened by the fact that
abe showed no signal lights in answer 70 his own,
Capt. Child Of the Tennessee caused her 10 be
hailed and demanded her name. The Morning
lAght!' was the reply. Tnen send boat:
have a communication for yon." I" We've neither
boat nor crew J" returned the unknown RESPONDENT,
although the former could be discerned hanging al
tho stern, by the officers Of the Tennessee Where
is Capt. Dillingham; Z" next demanded Capt Child.
Inc answer came, brief, decisive and exultant:
"Ashore and prisoner the Confederates are in
possession Of the vessel -
short consultation Oh board the Tennessee fol-
lowed this disastrous intelligence. Some of the OFF,
Gers were disposed TO attempt Tecapture of tue
Morning Light. 1t being known, however, that she
had no less than broadside guns and 30-pound
Parrott all Of which were in undoubted possession
Of the Rebels, while the Tennessee carried but an
uncomfortable armament Of howitzers just sufficient
for blockade purposes. peaceful counsels prevailed,
and Capt. Child steamed for Galveston 40 miles 70
the southwark there TO report tho bad news TO Com
msnder Bell. From the appearance OF the Morning
Light, it was evident that che had been recently
attacked, probably that very day. and no doubt ex.
Isted that the schooner Velocity her only partner
In tho blockade Of Sabine City, had shared her
fate.
Commander Bell next morning dispatched two
runboats, the New. London and Cayuga, TO the
rescue; had he done this immediately the receipt
Of the information necesSitating IT, 1t might have
proved effective. As ordered, the gapbosts reached
Babine Pass ut noon, aud were ,discerned when
about eight miles distance from it by the Rebels,
then engaged in attempting TO secure their prze by
hauling the Morning Light over the bar by the aid
Of stearu-tug, q task which the shoal water rem
dered difficult, IL not impossible. Perceiying this
and the approaching danger they instantly set nre
10 the captured vessel and abandoned her esca ping
on shore. BY the time that the gunboats arrived n
was 10 witness The Morning Light all ablaze, and