Daily national Republican., 1863-11-09
The Destruction of Two
Blockade Runners.
Fight with the Rebels on Shore
The Rebs Commanded BY EX-Sen-
atOr WestcOtt.

The following report was received by tho
Secretary of the Navy to, day:
U. 5. FLAGSHIP SAN JAoISro,I
KEY WEST, Oct. "a, 1869.
Hon. Gideon Weiics, StcIeidry ofhe Navy:
SIR: have 10 report the destruction Of the
blockade running steamer Scottish Chief and
the sloop Kate Dale, in Hillsboro' river, by an
armed expedition from the U. 8. gunboats Ia
homa and Adela.
Having learned that these vessels were load
ing with cotton and about 10 sail, and being
apprehensive that by reason of their light draft
they would escape the blockading vessel, sent
Lieut.. Commander Semmes TO Tampa Bay to
destroy them. 1t was planned between myself
and Capt. Semmes that he should, with the Ia
homa assisted by the Adela, divert attention
from the real object Of the expedition by she'll
ing the fort and town, and that, under cover
of the night, men should be landed at port
on old Tampay Bay, distant from the fort, to
proceed overland to the port on the Hillsboro'
river where the blockade runners lay, there to
destroy them. 10 .... .. ..
This plan was Successfully carried out, but
not without considerable loss. ..'''r ,
On the 10th instant, the Tahoma and Adela
ran In abreast Of the batteries and shelled them
slowly during the day. The firing was in an
unusual degree accurate and precise. At dark,
as soon as the moon went down, force-con-
| ststing of Acting Enslgns J. P. Randall and j.
q. kochler, with 90 men from the Tahoma, and
Of Acting Ensigns stomberg and Balch and
First Assistant Engineer Bennett, with ~ men
from the Adela, and Acting Masters Mate
Crane and MIR. J. a. Thompson, guides-was
landed al Ballast Point.
The expedition was under the immediate com.
mand of Acting Master T. X. Harris, executive
officers the Tahoma. The line of march was
quietly taken up for the river, under the guild.
ance Of Mr.. ]. A. Thompson, who, being too
tn all Inrn In, lice. A II
IA miles, (rendered circuitous by the necessity,
| of avoiding houses, creeks, &c.,) brought the
party before daylight to the river bank. AS
soon as 1t was light the vessels were discovered
on the opposite bank. The force was, there.
| upon, moved to point opposite where they
lay, and those on board brought under aim OF
the rifles and ordered to send boat which they
did. A detachment was thereupon sent to
bring over the vessels and to make prisoners oi
those on board.
At this time two men succeeded In escaping
from the vessels, who carried the alarm to tht
garrison. The vessels, meantime, were fired
ctiectually, and the force thereupon set ou
upon Its return. Encountering an armed party
near the beach, charge was made. and two
rebels made prisoners. The beach, finally, wa,
safely reached without loss, and pickets wer,
stationed and the party rested, waiting the ar
rival of the boats then being dispatched from
the Tahoina and Adela. While so resting
! word was brought that detachment OF cavalr
and one Of infantrywas advancing. The partl
was formed to resist an attack, aud, the boat
having arrived, the embarkatlon commenced.
While this was proceeding the rebels OpeHet
Are. Tho Fret and second divisions, with
seven prisoners, proceeded In an orderly man
ner 10 the boats, the Third division spread on
that the rebels might not fire into mass, TO
turned the fire energetically and with great cool
ness and bravery. The Adela ameantime shelle,
the woods Tin which the rebels were conccalet
and from which they hred) with shrspnel. Tn
First and second divisions having embarked
the rear guard, on receiving the order so to do
followed. This rear guard stood nobly to thei
post, protecting the retreat under an extremel
severe fire from concealed enemy-losdinl
and firing with the coolness of target practice
and finally leaving quietly at the word OF com
mand, bearing with them their wounded.
The rebels were under the command Of Capt
(late U. 8. scnator) Westcott and were SO
called "regulars." The retreat to the boat
was admirably conducted by Acting Maste
Harris. The expedition throughout was char
acterized BY disciplined courage on the par
of both officers and men. The force sutivre
severely at the beach, and both courage an
discipline was called for. Our loss was a
follows: ..i'
| KILLED.
James Warrall, seaman, Tahoma.
John Roddy, seaman, Adela.
Joseph O'Donnell, seaman, Adela.
Ten were wounded, including Acting Er
signs Randall and Kockler, and two seriously
Five were made prisoners. In reporting thes
losses Lieut.. Commander semmes observes
~ regret seriously our loss, yet feel sgrea
degree Of satisfaction In having impressed th
rebels with the Idea that blockading runnin
vessels are rot safe even up the Hillsbort
river" .... "
lam respectfully your obedisnt servant,
THRoDoRUs BAILEY,