The New York herald., 1864-03-14
News from the Department Of
the South.
Affairs i'm Florida and South
Carolina,
eess &ess &es


Captain Ketchum, Of the transport Island City. cap.
tured island called the Two Sisters near the mouth
OF the st. Johns river large torpedocs The maya
zines OF both consisted OF half oil hermetcally
sealed and contained sevenynve pounds OF rife powder
The powder was TO be fred by means Of gun BARREL to
which attached percussion cap exploded by
hammer the latter being operated by powerful steel
spring, controlled and regulated by complete Yankee
brass clock manufactured in Connecticut evidently
struced for the benefit Of bockadng vessels in the
st. Johns.
the morning OF the 10th instant having regiment on
board. The Qnartermaster's steamboat Harriet Weed
previously reported lost In St. Johns rver) arrived At
Port Royal without injury.
We are indebted TO Purser Thomas McManus, Of the
Fulton, for favors.
Mr. Oscar G. sawyer's Dispatches.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, March I, 1864.
The SITUATION FLORIDA.
There little Of interest to write from this quarter at
present The enemy remain quiet, and forces
resting after the long and aborous marches they have
perfomed there is little chance for stirring news for
time to come unless the enemy conclude to take
the initiative. In that they will have fair oppor
tunity OF trying battle with again, and this time
ground But am inclined to the opinion that
all the the rebel generals said indulge In Of
bombast to frighten they and to carry out
their uteror designs which, II must be confessed,
littlo obscure TO VI.
REBEL pEsRRrERs.
come in daily, but bring very little news that can be
relied on. They nearly oil differ 10 regard to the
mandng general Of the rebel force opposed TO Some
assert that Finegan commands; others that General
Gardner s over the forces in front Of us: and
others still General Mercer Generaliu Chief
ry~- - han haan oN Cownn
Finegan but presume he did not have immediate COM
maud Of the army there He communicated with Gen
eral Seymour by Gag Of few days since. but the
nature Of despatch has not transpred II replied
10 by General Seymour under flag or truce In charge OF
Major Eddy OF the Forty seventh New York, Inspector
General Of the district.
Deserters varously report the strength OF the rebel
force-some placing low twelve thousand; others
estimate at twenty thousand Probably the latter
number is not far from correct.
welearn from same that the rebel cavalry
engaged driving OF the stae TO points 10 the
danger incurson all the beef cattle ant
hogs which abound this region Of country They also
tearing up transporting other sections OF the
try the railroad iron the roads In the State TO patch
up and repair the out roads used for military pur
poses. Tho latter report is not ct all improbablc fo
a. long ago as last summer the rebel Congress
passed act offering much money for the
corporations
the iron to be taken py and for the benefit OF the
rebel government nc whatever price government
Of one road and the president OF the other road declined
the oner made and on the governments agents at
tempting 70 seize the IRON IN o. the provisions
the state court restraining the rebel agents from
carrying out their Instructions and at last accounts the
being argued in the state court Meanwhile the
soldiers step and practically close the by taking
or all the iron. The court viii have trouble. il is
thought maintaining the corporation in tho possession
win only need the earth for defensive purposes to bury
themselves 'n AxurARr rxrcruos
occurred Monday morning last in the town coored
sergeant by the name OF Walker or the Third South
Carolina Volunteers tried and convicted Of mutiny
shot % death the presence OF his regiment Tho prison
cr behaved with frmness and met his death resonteiy
Two voeys Of mnskerv were fired before death ensned
e was only stunned by the first voley, but before he
vved the second Gna and life became Immediately
extinct. The scene will not soon be lost on the TROOPS
IHE nospr.I snip COSMOPOLITAN
sailed yesterday for hilton Head and Beaufort with the
last OF tie wounded remaining in the hospitals OF this
town. Surgeon Swift, the Medical Director OF the de-
rarment went TO the Head in ber.
The COSMOPOLITAN is one OF the institutions of this De-
partment She s fine, noble steamer swift, and com.
e M as % II ne ns s Mouad
ders from every portion OF the department TO The hosp
The hospital department OF the vessel Ia n charge Of
Assistant Surgeon Buckley, OF the Sixth Connecticut,
young ofrcer OF great merit and scientific ability He
hrs been on the Cosmopolitan nearly seven months
l aud has discharged the arduous and varied duties
Of his position with excellent Judgment and
m unwearied zeal. His assistant. Surgeon Porter
OF the Seventh Connecticut. s also officer OF
marked talents and professional skin. and one who de-
his entire time TO the duties Of his Office Under
their charge the Cosmopolitan is one Of the best hospital
boats afoat
Captain CROKER commanding the vessel, was for
long time officer the Collins line Of steamers and is
perfect and genial. accomplished gentleman.
His vessel is always 40 neat and clean a OF
and model OF good order The department and country
fortunate in having hospital ship 80 complete and
well organized IN every respect as the Cosmopolitan.
nf
In my account OF the recent battle Of Olustee unn.
entiorally neglected TO mention the gallant conduct OF
Lieutenant Colonel James Hall Provost Marshal Gene
raj Of tho department. the field. He was In the
southern district organizing his department and when
as an aid During the battle he was zealously
engaged IN inspiring our ;roops with confidence
me smd aua driving up the cowards He rallied the
troops and held them TO their work AZ all points OF
Though the thckest OF the Ggh, he escaped without
scratch, and gained additional reputation 10 that he
bad already for great ooolness and gaantry under
nre
about four miles from town. Colonel Henry's
Light Brigade has the post OF honor MS well az danger
and maintains sicepess vigilance AZ the front his
mand somewhat jaded and worn out with hard march
ing and picket duty but In 10 good spirits aud ready 70
lead the advance at any moment
The Independent Battalion Of Massachusetts, cavalry
oDder MAJOR Stevens has established a reputation
FOE efficiency and solderly bearing second 10 OF
that arm Of the service that have yet seen and will yet
gain higher iaureb before the campaign 10 ended.
EAvAL FoRcE
% the river and off the town consists q the
slocp-of.war Pawnee, Commander George b. Bach
senior ofncer Of the station the Mohaska. Com
msnder CreIgnton, and the gunboat ottawa
Lieutenant Commander Breese They are all anchored
on the town, with broadsides covering the front and
hauks Of defensive works, and ready any moment
10 open Gre.
Tbe gunboat DaiCbing, Lieutenant Commander Chap
In, " on bockadng duty tbe mouth Of the river,
whic the Norwich Is anchored of Yellow Bun, between
this and the bar covering force at inat important
point. . n
Commander Creighton lbas been relieved Of The com
and Of the Mobaska aud ordered North 10 assume com
nsud n n new double ender OF the Drs class ne y sn
best wishes Of ali who are fortunate enough to know