The palmetto herald. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1864-1864, 1864-04-21
over fifty head of cattle, which they
drove to the river bank opposite Palatka.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, Ap,

-
our rorces on the afternoon Of Thursday
last. the I4th instant. The movement
was accomplished most successfully, the
stores OF the Quartermaster having been
got off without loss, and the steamers
coming away without leaving a man be-
hind. The transports Dictator, Della
ware, Mary Benton and General Hunter,
conveyed by the gunboat Ottawa, and
the armed steamer Harriet A. Weed,
were employed in the evacuation and to
the officers of these vessels, the greatest
credit is due for their efficient manage
ment.
Upon receiving the order to withdraw
his forces from their position, Col. Bar
ton sent Major Stevens, with his battalion
of Mass. Cavalry, section OF Jamess Bat
tey. and Captain Shaw's company of
mounted men from the 18th New York
Volunteers, out on the GAINESVILLE road to
drive in the enemy's pickets. About six
miles out the rebel videttes were encoun-
tered, and were slowly pushed to point
between Eight-mile and Nine-mile Ham
mock Cor swamp, when, getting them
in most favorable position, Major Ste
vens shelled them for half an hour with
splendid effect, driving the enemy to their
reserve four miles further on. The move
ment, n bold and hazardous one, required
a good deal OF prudence in its execution
but the duty was so we'll performed that
We were unmolestcd in our departure on
the following day.
Before embarking, the lofty lookout
erected on the Court house was cut down,
the platforms in the batteries were burn
ed, the defensive works were DESTROYED.
and the families of the town, with such of
their worldly goods rs could be brought
of, Were placed on board the steamers.
The cleaning out was thorough and gen
eral. Half barrel of oats and bushel
OF corn in the ear was all that was left
10 indicate an occupation of Pilatka.
The stores brought off were landed at
Picolata, eighteen miles this side of Pi-
latka. Last evening the steamers Co.'S
mopolitan and General Hunter were sent
up after them. This morning the Hunter,
on her return trip, encountered another
torpedo near Buckles Bluff, where the
Maple Leaf was sunk, and was blown up.
Her destruction was compete. One
man-the quartermaster at the wheel
and all her cargo, were lost. The explo
sion occurred soon after daybreak, and in
the immediate vicinity of the Maple
Leafs wreck. where, as We have recently
learned, the enemy planted eight Of their
devilish seeds of destruction.
The General Hunter was built for
river steamer, and though a handsome,
roomy and commodious craft was not
a yerv staunch one. She was owned by
the Government, having been purchased
from Mr.. Vanderbilt for Ss2. 900. She
was damaged somewhat on her passage
tn Port Royal little more than year
400, and had to put back to Baltimore,
where $4,000 were expended in repair
ing her. She was sent here. it was said,
to be used by Major General Hunter as
his flagship on the Charleston expedition !;
but he selected another and better
vessel.
The men of Major Stevens battalion
of the 4th Massachusetts, Cavalry have
been doing honor to the commander Of
the Light Brigade by presenting him
with a handsome and valuable horse.
The steed was born and reared in camp,
as was his present owner.
Important changes st- gong on IN the
District of Florida: out | suppose you
will learn of them without my touching
On the subject.