Smyrna times., 1863-01-22

tdICi, Ieduliy IIlilue use Oh Ine PERMISSION
very kindly obtained for me by DR.. Ackley
10 accompany the party going to the Island
We left the steamer early in the morning,
and after an hours good pull reached the
spot where we were bound, and were soon
diSembarked Leaving two men to guard
the boat, the remainder, in charge of Lieut.
Casey, pushed inland to the buildings for
merly occupied by those living upon the
Island, thinking that the g game" would be
more likely to be found there, from its dis
position to cling around the haunts of man.
but one beef however was found, and this
being : i1Oorcd," the party was divided into
squads and started in different directions
for hunt. Having no gun myself, ac-
companed squad with four seanen and
we were soon in the woods. ! soon found
there was not much sport in toraging but
resolved to have one good tramp, so pung-
ed in through thick and thin. We had
been out somewhat more than the allotted
time, when mySelfand a companion, having
been separated from the rest of the squad
discovered a number of cattle not far from
us. Being anxious for one shot before
leaving the Island, my companion loaned
! me his rifle, and creeping upon the cattle
TIL they discovered me, fired but without
effect. SnatchinT the rifle from me, my
! friend advanced little nearer them and
! fired a shot which must have Stun. one OF
! them. for they all turned round and started
/ directly for us. Not wi,lin. to encounter
an cnraged hu'l without anything to defend
! myself, | Thought discretion the better
/ part Of vaior," aud gave them the benefit
oI leg bail, my friend doing the same. We
! easily managed to elud" them and soon
| returned to the place Of rendezvous where
We found most Of the party returheG We
related oar adventure and all had laugh
at our expense. \ verv good Joke, Mr.
Editor, bat we were inclined to think that
had any OF the others been there, their speed
4 would have well compared with ours All
! hands being called in, the hc4f and hogs
Killed. were carried to the boat, and we
started tor the steamer. But this We were
not to reach without some trouble for the
Hood tide which We came in on, had left us,
and when within about halt a mile of our
vessel our boat run hard aground in water
about q foot and half deep. Finding it
impossible IL push the boat over without
tightening her, Lieut. Casey ordered gil
hands overheard anil with commen,lable aiac-
rity was first out himself After pushing
about two hundred yards, we with pleas
urc, found sufficient water TO float our boat
and jumping aboard soon reached the His
saI'cion tired, wet and hungry, and your
correspondent perfectly satisfied with for
aging excursions
Next day was Christmas, but not Christ
mas at home-sO different that had not
/ known it was the 25th Of December should
have thought it no more than an ordinary
day. The usual good things were not
forthcoming, and NV Christmas dinner was
: scarcely tasted, thoughts of home and the
edIbles there taking away my appetite for
what was before me. A boat race took
place in the afternoon between the four
small boats attached to our steamer One
OF these boats contained a cont,tJ,4,d crew,
and they, having had much practice lately,
: confidently expected to win the race A
stout crew, however, was put against them,
which proved too much for their endurance.
, and their boat came in, second in the race
Thus very much excited one of the contra
: bands, who declaimed against the vnfairnrx
! Of the race III such manner rs to amuse all
on board A few days after Christmas we
, were relieved and are now as stated before
at Port Royal Our machinery being very
: much out Of order, is receiving complete
overhauliug, which will be finished in about
a week Having already coaled we shall be
ready to take our departure from this place
] "a soon as it is done Where we are to orc
: is qucStion-Some say to Charleston, some
;, back to Ossebaw Sound, but none know.
: II We received the news of Burnside's dis
J aster two weeks ago; it had quite a depres
y sing effect upon all on board, for a short
time, but as the particulars became knowr
we felt better, it not being as bad as first
e reports seemed to indicate That he NAV
: be successful next time, and before lone
float the old flag over Richmond sto be
g earnestly desired, for then we should all fee
the rebellion was on the waue,
The Tmrs, welcome. visitor, of Dec 4tI
has reached me. Madame Rum0r's report.
relative to SO many Of the young changing
/ their condition in life for the the better,
# hope are. true. All have my best wishe,
i tot their future prosperity and happiness =
'. ,..t- G.. 5. c.