The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-04-29


Successful Boat Expedition to Masonbo-
rough, N. C.--Destruction Of tho Rebel
Government Salt Works-Sktrmish
with the Enemy-Seventy-f five Prison.
ers Brought or TO the Fleet, &c. g
OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENTS.
UNITED STATES STEAMER NIPPON,
OFF New INLET, N. c., April o. 1864 J
On thenight of the 21st instant boat expedition was
organized by Captain Breck, OF this vessel accompanied
by from the United States steamers Fort Jackson
and Howquah, for the purpose OF destroying the rebel
government salt works, which were extensive, extend
Ing over several acres of ground. There many
conscrs attached to the works. which located at
marlborough seventeen miles northeast from Fort Fisher
and eight miles southeast from Wilmington. The How
quah and this vessel took their positions either side OF
the inlet and came 'to anchor close In to cover
the landing Of the boats AT twenty minutes past
O'Clock p. M. the expedition left the vessel One party
landed few miles below the entrance to the sound,
whilst the remainder proceeded to the inlet and crossing
the Sound, landed without resistance Gas they had
fear OF attack) to our boats. They had grand
entertainment at ono OF the houses from which, when
our boys entered the male portion IN every direc
up, the engines demolished, outhouses hundred
cords OF wood set on fire, and one hundred and sixty
army wagons and everything that was Of any service
FIVE prisoners. and some two hundred other rebels
escaped in the woods. The whole affair was well con
Tho prisoners we had to land on the beach until
such time could find conveyance for them to be
transferred on board Il tho two vessels As
about sending them Off In the boats large cavalry
force made their appearance on the beach. We
allowed the advance guard to come UP within thirty
yards of our pckets and within two hundred yards OF
where the prisoners We demanded OF them TO
render and lay down their arms. They responded to
us with fire from their rifles We returned well d.
rectsd FIRE. wounding several Of them and killing two
horses but they succeeded 10 getting or In great confu
sion, minus Of their small arms, &c. Their main
body advanced toward pckets the second tne whom
we made signal TO the H0wquah 10 fire on them. AS
tho night clear moonlight, our men could SEQ the
enemy distinctly. Our guns opened on them with
shell, and they broke In great confusion to-
wards Fort Fisher At twelve midnight we succeed
The Nippon then weighed and stood for the How
quah, ecommander OF which instructed to remain
whore he was and watch the enemy, intended to
cut of the cavalry At twenty minutes past A. NJ
landed force two miles northeast OF the bali moon
battery and miles southwest or Masonb0rough Inlet,
marched right to the inlet and arrived there at four
A. NJ Saw nothing OF the enemy. We picked up three
refugees including woman who succeeded in getting
the Sound IN small skill At thirty minutes past
four took the boat In tow and stood for the senior
officer ship fort Jackson) all we'll satisfied after good
nights work. The raid made must have created quito
excitement amongst the rebes they heard to
beat long roll exchanging signal lights and firing guns
all along the different Notifications think with little
more force might have captured Fort Fisher A
great deal Of credit due TO Captain Sands senior officer
for his assistance IN furnishing with men and officers
captain OF tho APwquah for. his assstsnoS
in attack and great deal OF credit Is due to our
guides, 10 whom much indebted for the success
OF the expedition. They North Carolinians, who
escaped from rebel tyranny, but whose names am
At liberty mention.