The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-04-12
IMPORTANT FROM HANPTOT ROADS.
The Rebels Attempt 10 Blow Up the
United states Steam Frigats Min-
nesota During tho Night.
FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE AFFAIR.
The Minnesota but Slightly
Damaged.
co.. Co.. 60.

Mr. WIN. III. StIner's Despatch.
FoRrRxs kossos. April ., 1866.
DARING FEAT
mos; desperate aud daring attempt 10 destroy tine
United 81 . steam friga.e Minnesota, Rear Admire,
Lees flagship OF Newports News, was made this morn.
Ing, which, while it did materially damage tho ship,
caused considerable among the officers and
The facts can get at them, are as fol-
lows:Shortly before four bes were struck tho lookout
observed small blast speck approaching the Minnesota
Thinking that was SOME floating spar he watched &C. and
whom II finally noared the ship he that boat
containing three men. He hailed them three times, and
finally threatened to IRE them which they answered
deisively, "fro and be damned The boldly
pushed on towards the frigate aud few moments after
explosion ss to the report OF twenty pieces OF
tllsfy, followed ofcers and crew tumbied out OF
berths and hammock and the movable furniture OF tho
ship rolled about in confused mass while the noble ves
sol trebled every csn az to shake oil the effects OF
horri5e shock of paralysis AS scou as order was re-
stored Inquiries officers as the cause
OF the disturbance aud the above facts TO light
Orders were at given to pursue tho daring rebels
who the gauntlet our picket boats with their
fernal hne and when tho Admras despatch tug the
Poppy. lying alongside Of the Minnesota hailed and
ordered in pursuit the startling answer that SHE had
steam up was returned; and the other small tugs
picket were too far of to be OF any the rebel
rauders quietly and rapidly disappeared in one Of tho
many creeks Astounding on the banks of the James river
The only thing that could 10 done 70 repair Tho
damage inflicted by the torpedo which was very tridng
being tumbled out upon the decks Tho commander OF
the tug was noxt put under arrest to answer for bis
negligence in not keeping steam up his boa. at oil
times, as required BY the regulations
similar attempt to blow up tho Roanoke, our iroa.
clad three turreed Monitor lying OIL Newport's News,
was made last November by floating down an Internal
machine, which at tho time was duly described aud illus
raed In the columns or the HERALD; but the vigilance
and bravery OF Commodore Guert Gansevoort, who
boldly met the advancing Internal mrchihe with his
small boats, and mad towed to the beach and emptied
OF the powder IL contained, deprived the serpent OF it's
elected
or made any impression on the huge sides Of the monster
Monitor.
On the WHOLE tue intended destruction OF tbs Minnesota
has spice OF the romantic about it, and this second
grand failure mnst demonstrate to the enemy that they
have by brought their inventions IN the way
Of topedoes TO anything like state OF perfection Inc
whole affair 10 wrapt up in mystery and no two persons
attached to the Minnesota be found to agree in their
and thus give satisfactory account Of the facts
connected with it. There il great room for throwing
blame somebody for gross careessness apd nothing
short Of an efficient and thorough investigation will over
reveal the true statement.
PAYMENT rRoOrs.
II is notorious fact that the troops 10 this depart
have been paid suce the last OF December and
consequence. is however tdne TO Major r G. Usher,
Che faymaster Of this department. and the paymasers
under him. to state that u is no fault Of theirs and that
the rolls February 20 have been ready long aud
regnstions made for the money But the hitch is with
the treasury Department. and the heads Of this branch
OF the government should receive the blame instead
tho paymasters. Major Usher received no,ttea-
ton from the Treasury Department that $780, 600
had been placed his credit the depository
in Baltimore Oh sending Of HIS clerks up for tue
money was found funds had vet arrived from
Washington II is evident ha, the troops will only
receive two months pay to Stay l. instead Of the four
month"; due them then.
ILLNESS wsrAR.
The commanding officer at yorktown, Brigader General
J. J. Wistar while his from yorktown yester.
day visit Major General Butler taken suddenly III
with cramps fever and suffered the most horrbls
pain On arriving at the wharf, DR. Charles Mccormick,
Med cal OF department attended the General,
prescribed such medicines relieved him greatly.
Beag unable 70 move returned again TO Yorktown,
accounts received from there to-day state that Gene
raj Wis.ay Is considerably better