Smyrna times., 1863-03-19
CORRESPONDENCE.
Written for the " Smyrna Times"
U. S, S. W1ssAHIcKoN,0
at Sea, Saturday,
Feb. 28th, 1868.

SEue OHlOuISIS. Inc NdSitCItt6 is DESTROYED.
Yes, this great blockade runner which had
so often shown her heels to Uncle Sans
Navy, caused many a peaceful merchant
man to pass sleepless nights for fear of his
property, and brought upon the Head of
the Navy Department so many severe
structures from the press and people, is no
more, having at last met the same fate
which the Harrcy Birch received from her
own hands, on one Of her trips to Europe
The deed was accomplished this morning
before ten o'clock, by the iron-clad .hontauk
capt W Orden, assisted by the gunboats
'Ssados, HiSsahictOn and Ddaca AS | have
before informed you the NuA,qUe has been,
and her remains still lie up this river, above
Fort McAllister. For the purpose of re-
ccnnoitering the position of our gunboats.
and at the same time weigh the chances of
softly stealing by them some dark night,
and, thereby, bring Uncle Abe's paper block
ale again into bad repute, occasional visits
have been made by her as far down the
river as the rebel Fort Here she was dis
tlnctly visible to the Union boats froff their
respective position, and many was the wish
that went up from the hearts Of officers and
men for an opportunity to capture or des-
troy her. This opportunity at last present
ed itself, and how it was improved, we
think will satisfy all whose hearts are with
the Union cause. 1t was observed last eve
nlng that she had again visited the locality
otthe Fort, and after watching her position
for some time, it was discovered she was
aground and desperate efforts were being
mhde to get her off In order to be fully
satisfied of her situation the Seneca was dis
patched up the river to a point where Il
good view could be obtained, and to ascer
tam whether or not she was in range of our
guns. The report brought by the Seneca
being favorable an attempt to destroy her,
early the next morning, was determined
upon, much to the qualification of all hands.
Accordingly, at six o'clock this morning
found all our boats under way, and in a
short time Fort McAllister and the NlAsA,lhe
were i'll full view. The .nontcsuk took up an
advanced position and at twenty minutes
past seven o'clock opened the ball by an
e.sven inch shell, aimed for the Nashville
The Fort replied by rapid discharge Of
fve or six guns, but did not succeed in
drawing the attention of the Hontad from
the OBJECT of the expedition. A deep fog
set in from the sea after an hours engage
ment completely obcsuring the Fort and
NashrilIe, as well as the Jfontaah from the
glnboats. The prospect for the accom-
pElShment of our object, now, indeed, ap-
pearcd gloomy, and we began to think the
N'Eshrlle safe in her position for to-day, at
least. But we were soon very agreeably
disappointed, for after the lapse Of an hour,
the sun once more appeared and simulta-
LeOusly with its appearance the NasL,qLle
was discovered to be on fire. This the
rebels may have done themselves. but most
probably shell from some of our guns.
most likely the INontauks did the work as
the ninth shell fired by the latter boat went
through her sides, and the eleventh burs
within her. The Wissdiickon first discover
cd the fire, and an enthusiastic shout went
up from the decks. This was soon follow
ed by the other boats, and when the Mon
fdt6 passed US on her return, three cheer:
were proposed by Capt. Davis for her and
her brave Commander, which were given witt
will, and returned by the crew of the Mon
taU&. Your correspondent hurrahed till he
was hOarse, and was reminded by the en-
thusiasm of the applause which usually
greets the conclusion OF speeches at politica
meetings. good band being the onl,
thing wanted to complete the siniIe TIL
Noataak was struck once by ball from tn
battery, which did no damage A torped
burst just under her, and slightly damage
some part OF her machinery, but not to an
serious extent. She and her gallant Com
niander are ready at any time to again en-
gage the enemy. The wooden boats re
celved no damage-the shell of the rebel
all falling short. Our object having bee
accomplished the boats dropped down tn
Flver and came to anchOr-the CAPTAINS a
Tepairing on board the 4Hontauk to exchano
mutual congratulations upon our briliar
success. While lying here two contraband
were discovered in the marsh and boat wa
sent fon them. They report the NasLyz
having on board five hundred bales of col
ten and three large guns at the time of he
destruction, all Of which were consume
with her. She, no doubt. intended. ifsu,
cesslai In running the blockade, to max
sor one OF the West India Islands. ther
nspose OF her cotton, and fit out as a pr
vateer-in the latter capacity, doubtless
proving as successful as the AIabama. I
aer destruction the rebels have lost bo,
capable of inficting much injury to th
omon cause; may they soon experienc
an ss''anar losses in the capturing or sinking !
s. el,e H'dooipa and all others of the same kin,
wlllch nase already too long infested III
great highway of commerce . -'.OS'o' 1-,'s"D -
AT the tune OF writing this we are on Or
way.to Fort Royal to convey 10 Ad,,;r
DUPONT the news of our success yyS;ah;,,
70 getthis hurriedly written letter n;sbed l,n1
time for the mail which leaves our boat imm,
diateiy after our arrival there, l must haste
to 0 close A dastardly attempt was mao
to murder IN cold blood boats crew fro,