The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-04-23
INTERESTING FROM FLORIDA.
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Destruction Of the Steamer General
Hunter by a Torpedo.
EVACUATION OF PlLATKA,
I As.s Asss &ss
rr. Oscar @. sawysr's Despatch.

Hnrox HsAD, 6. c.. April II, 1864
EVACUATION Pr1AnA--A psvsRnox.
On Thursday last. the 18th inst, Pilatka
stsd BY our troops and everything OF value carried or
The movement was effected while diversion Vas
being made by Major Stevens, OF the Independent baal
Of Massachusetts, cavalry, out towards Gainesville
where the enemy in force. Major Stevens com.
mand consisted Of his battalion, section Of James
Rhode Island battery, and Captain shaw's com
pany OF the One Hundred and Fifteenth New
York mounted troops. II encountered the rebel
pickets between Eight and Nine Mile hummocks, or
swamp, few miles out Of Platka, and engaged them
sharply As they fell back and increased their numbers
James guns were brought into play. and the enemy
treated to vigorous Smelling, which induced them to
fall back upon their reserves. Major Stevens secured
good position, and had quite a brisk little engagement
with the rebels, entertaining them while Colonel
Barton was smSa,sog his men , and .n material rial
General Hunter Everything was safely placed on ship
board, and at the proper time Major stevens command
brought in and embarked under the guns OF the OF
tawa Lieutenant Commander Breese, and the armed tug
Harriet A. Weed, belonging TO the army portion Of
the provisions landed at Picoata The transl ors
arrived at Jacksonville 10 safety.
DESTRUCTION TIir STEAMER GEN. HUNTER ny TORPEDO
On the 18th the steamers and Gen. Hunter
were sent TO Picoaia TO bring down the provisions left
there the previous day The steamers were loaded and
started down the river towards their destination.
Hunter while passing Buckles Bu about twelve miles
above Jacksonville, encountered torpedo, which ex.
poded under her bow and blew the forward part of the
hull 70 fragments She sunk 10 less than three minutes
carrying down with her the quarermaster at the Wheel
who was undoubtedly injured by the explosion and a
heavy load Of commissary and quartermasters stores
which will prove total loss. The officers and crew. vii
the exception OF the In the pilot house. took to their
boats and reached Jacksonville safely but in their night
clothes.
The General Hunter was river steamer, built BY
Captain DeGroot for some party who sells steamers TO
the government aud who Is supposed 10 engage In that
business for profit The General Hunter bought by
the government for $50 o00 and specially designed
as the flagship for Major General Hunter, then com
manding the department. On the way down
she encountered q gale and was badly used up.
Uncle Sam paid $40 900 70 repair her, and she finally
reached this port As the ports In this department nap
pencil TO be on the coast and only TO be communicated
with by vessels going outside the General Hunter did
General He did not take her, but selected sulta
BILE craft. She destroyed, and toerably decent
boat lost TO the government. tho United States desire
to pay round sum for pasteboard boats, and 10 have
the used up at an early dsy, let them duplicate the
General Hunter.
The spot where the General Hunter was Lost Ia only
short distance from the wreck Of the Maple Leaf sunk by
torpedo short time SINCE Out OF the eight torpedoes
planted by the rebels Buckles Bluff two e.
fecve. The others are supposed to be 10 hands.
TWO DEsERIERs SHOT.
Two deserters, named Henry schumacher, Company
ees were shot TO day In obedience OF orders from head
quarters They met their death with great composure
and rmness, In the presence OF all the troops at this
post third culprit sentenced by the court
tal, escaped the same fate by clerical His
Was spelt Homanuv Ia the records Of the martial
for him his name on the company rolls spet
"Hoofan." No Hoffman, was found, and u was mot
thought just TO shoot Hoofan 10 his stead So Hoofan
goes free, 50 far 40 the first trial s concerned.