Maryland free press., 1863-02-06
Operations of the Confederate priva-
teers. eGi T

Several naval officers who arrived on thsi
steamer Northern Light at New York, on
Tuesday, from Key West, report tho follow
ing particulars of the escape Of the Confeder-
rte steamer 0yeto. from Mobile, and her ops-
-ations on the Huif:
Onthe 18th instaut, ut 8 o'clock in the NOR
ming, steamer was discovered by one of tho
blockading vessels of the squadron at Mobile
Bay, endeavoring to pass out from that port
There were nino vessels of war stationed on
The bar at the tme-the Susquehana.' Kama
wha. Oneida, Cuyler, Pembina, Kennebee
and three others,
For several weeks past, the Oroto was ex-
pected to make an attempt to run the blockade,
and tho Pembina was appointed to fire sig.
nc' gun, to notify tho aeetwhen she should
make her appearance. On the day and hour
above stated, the UFetu WIS noticed by tho
Pcmbina, which, instead of giving the signal.
proceeded toward tho other vessels, to notify
them verbally. 1t is supposed that the Off
GERS of the Pcmbina believed the vessol they
saw was not the Oreto, as they had labored
under the impression for several days prsvi-
ously, which was founded on information re-
ceived from rebel Sources that decoy vessel
would be sent ont from Mobile to entice tho
war steamers to chase her, so as to enable the
Oreto to sail from the harbor in the meantime,
The Oreto, which was laden with 200 balee
of Cotton, has succee ded in getting out to sea;
The Cuyler and Oneida, being considered the
fastest steamers in the squadron, chased her
for four hours in vain. The Cuyler lost sight
Of her shortly after her escape, though at ons
time she was within distance of four hundred
yards Of her. None of the other vessels Joined
in tho chase . ....r e- y4.
It is stated that the Oreto ran into Havana
as the necfest port of refuge, and that the Guy:
ler, which did not return to Mobile, followed
her. II
Previous to the sailing of the Northern Light
for Key West, a steamer arrived from Ha'
vana, the officers of which reported that the
-Oreto, the day after she left Mobile, fred on
and sunk Boston brig 1.-THE Estelle) laden
with sugar, near Tortugas. This report wal
afterward confirmed by other vessels whioi
arrived later. ..-,-.. .
1t is believed that if the Cuyler should at
tack the Oreto singly, the latter could easily
sinl; or destroy her, and hopes were entet-
/ tanned that other war vessels had been sent to
her assistance.
The Oreto ran the blockade off Mobile about
| four months since, since which time the feet
have been stationed off the bar to prevent her
| escape. -,
John Ne~lani Madit, son of the celebra-
ted Methodist Preacher of that name, is said
| to be the commander Of the Oreto. Captain
Maiitt entered tho United States navy in 1882.
and served eighteen years and five months as
sea- He f1as, While in the navy, always re-
putc1 to be an accomplished officer While
! the Pierce administration was in power tho
| famous committee of fifteen naval officers,
.
cut down the navy, threw over among others,
Lieutenant Maffiit. lis was dismissed the
) naval officer a7.d the Services ho rendered II
| the country whilst on the coast survey, and
other important occupations. he was restored
and continued in the navy until the rebellion
| broke out, when he seeded, with other South
ern officers and uni led his fortunes to the fate
| of the Southern Confederacy. The next thing
| we hear of him is in charge of the steamer
! Oreto and successfully running the blockade
Of Mobile. His crew, it is stated, consisted OF
bit thirteen men, and, although sick himself,
| he was not deferred from attempting the haz-
ardous enterprizc. Captain Mafht likes to
produce on the ocean the same sensation, in
different form, which his father used to pro.
duce in the pulpit
PARTICULARS OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE
UNITED STATES STEAMER H&TERAs BY THE
| ALABAMA.
The Navy Department has received official
information of the capture and sinking of the
United States steamer "Hatteras," by the
Alabama or 1890" The substance is con-
! tanned in the following statement Of L. II:
| Partridge, acting-master on board the United
States steamer Hatteras, off Galveston:
At abost 3 P NJ. Tuesday, January llth,
when a vessel hove in sight she appeared to
be endeavoriug TO escape. Just after dark
was able TO discover that she was bark-riggedi
and set top gallant sail. After dark we
!
her lying to, under steam.
We had been at quarters about 20 min utes
As we came up Capt. Blaled hailed, and
asked what ship it VAST The answer was,
her British Majesty's ship Spitfre Capt
Blake said, II will send a boat aboard. -
Boat being called away, was ordered to take
charge and board.
Before we went one-half ships length away
from the side, the stranger opened fire. 1t was
returned by the Hatteras, and both started
ahead under a full head of steam, exchanging
broadsides as fast as they could load and fire,
for about twenty minutes, with big guns, then
with musketry from both vessels.
All the time had been trying to board my
vessel, but could not come up. After tho
musketry ceased discovered that the Halter
as was stopped and blowing off steam, with
the enemy alongside for the purpose of board
ing. .......
Heard the enemy cheering and knew tho
Hatteras had been captured, and thought it no
use to give myself up prisoner, and rowed
back to the fleet under cover of darkness, i'll
hopes of giving information of the affair.
The Brooklyn went out this morning and
found the Hatteras sunk.