Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-09-04
THIRD edition.
81 g O'CLOCK F. NJ.
lNrEREsrING REPORT or THE DE.
SRI UCTION OF THE BLOCKADE
RUNNER ALEX. COOPER.
GALLANT CONDUCT OF A SQUAD OF PHE
DREW OF THE e. 8. STEAMER
SHOCKOKON
THEY PUT 70 FLIGHT THREE TIMES AS
MANY REBELS, AND CAPTURE PRIS-
ONERS, HORSES 20

Admiral Lee transmits to the Navy Depart
ment the following interesting report of the
destruction Of the blockade runner Alexa nder
Cooper, which was accomplished in New Top
sail Inlet, North Carolina, on the 22d ult
Us s: SHookoKoH, OFF WILhIsaTos, N. q.
August 70, 1s63-Sir. have the honor to
report that we have destroyed the blockade
running schooner Alexander Cooper, under the
following cirsumstan ,S &c. On the lath made
Inlet, and was driven out by four pieces OF
artillery stationed opposite the mouth, but not
before l had discovered schooner at wharf
some six miles up the sound. This schooner l
determined to destroy, and as it WAS SO we'll
guarded concluded to use strategy.
On the evening OF the 22d the Shochokon an
chored close into the sea beach, about five miles
from the inlet, and sent ashore two boats
crews, who shouldered the dingui and carried
it across the neck OF land that divides the sea
width, and covered with dense thicket The
crossing placed my men some miles in rear OF
the artillery force guarding the entrance,
Tho dingui bcins loWnohad on the inside
waters, six men under my ex-oficer, Acting
Ensign Jos. S. Cony, started with orders to de-
stroy or capture anything that could be OF use
Now, it seems that 12.pounder howitzer
was stationed at the point for which we were
aiming, and the smoke-stack OF my steamer
having been seen over the trees, the command.
ant of the post.Capt. Adams-had come down
from the main camp to insure a bright lookout.
While the rebels at the schooner's mast heads
WeT0 eIdAuiuk tnoh oyoo IA AooAAAS w tnc
south, my boat was approaching in the other
direction, and the men succeeded in landing
about 60 yards from the wharf without being
discovered. The Master at Arms, Rob't Cliff.
ford, crept into the rebel camp and counted
the men, and having returned to his shipmates,
q charge was ordered, and our seven men bore
down on them with shout.
In moment the enemy (who outnumbered
us to ID were routed, leaving In Mr.. Cony' q
possession ten prisoners, including Captain
Adams and Lieut.. Leatham, one f2-pound
army howitzer, eighteen horses, one schooner,
| and some extensive salt works.
Mr.. Cony then threw out two picketS, de-
| tached two men to guard the prisoners, and
with the remaining two fired the vessel and
| saltworks. These were thol oughly consumed
The object Of the expedition being accom-.
| out loss, bringing with them three Of the pris.
| oners-all that the boat would contain. The
| rebel officers and privates dress alike, and Mr..
| Cony was at a loss to know what three TO re-
| tain. He settled the matter, however, by pick
| ing out the three best looking ones, who all
| turned out to be prirates. So the omcers owed
| their safety to their lack Of physique-a new
feature in military strategy.
While this was going ON at the main lano
| my pickets on the beach side, under ACTING
| Masters Mate Proudfit, engaged and rePuiseo
the rebel picket force in that quarter. without
| loss on our side.
| This schooner cleared from New York fol
! Port Royal, S. O., with an assorted cargo, anG
! was lowed once outside the line OF the block
ade by gunboat.
shall try to learn the names Of the patriots
citizens Of my State who entered into this littl
| W. CUSHING, Lieut.. Comd'g.
To Act'9 Rear Admit S. r. LEE,
| Commanding n. A. B. Squadron,