New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-04-26
FROM FLORIDA.
Correspondence Of the Tribune.
JACKSONVILLE, April l6, 1865.
ANOTHER TORPEDO EXPLOSION.

ANOTHER TORPEDO EXPLOSION.
The steamer General Hunterwas blownup by a
torpedo in the St. Johns River, opposite Mandarin
fifteen miles above this city, at about 6! O'Clock this
morning.
The Hunter was on her retun from "Piceolata,
where SIZE had been to land troop and stores She for
tunately had no passengers On board
The officers and crew escaped unharmed save three.
Quartermaster Harry Benson was in his room nj the
time Of the explosion ard has not since been heard Of
Thomas Conln, an oiler was blown into the water,
but subsequently picked ~ by boat. Ellis Norris.
Steward. had his leg broken All the officers and crew
lost everything.
The Hunter was struck upon the Sarboad bow, about
80 feet from her stem, and sank Immediately in about
% feet Of water
The United States gunboat Norwich and the hospital
steamer Cosmopolitan just in advance of the
Hunter, bound 10 Jacksonville. they Immediately
rounded 10 and sent boats the rescue, but were
able to anything from her but Two boats and tho
captains nautical instruments.
The steamer Harriet A. Weed has Just been dis
patched to tho scene Of the dsascr TO whatever
can be taken of.
The Hunter now lies under water 20 depth OF two
feet above her saloon deck that but little Of her ma
chinery or furniture can be reached The place where
she sank within pistolshOt ofhe wreck Of the Maple
Leaf which was destroyed by similar means On the
morning Of April /.
It'll somewhat remarkable that the Norwich and Cos
mopoitqn doth larger vessels should have passed
unmoested, while the Hunter, following in the same
channel. and within easy hailing distance Of them
should have been destroyed. This. however, Is ae
counted for on the uppOsou that TIE torpedo was 20
arranged that it could be raised or lowered at the viii
-. -. Oh, man MY
mied 10 pass lest attempt TO destroy her might IN
lure the Cosmopolitan, which is our hospital ship
give you this however, as ] receive IT, 10 be taken
Gun. 3rano sails for few in this department who
know the Rebels accrodit them with any conscientious
sorppos which would prevent them destroying hospi
TAI or any other Government vessel The sensation
caused by the explosion is described by those on
board as similar to that exlelghcea by tns .tl1ng
Of a ship sunkcn rock. understand that the only
freight on the Hunter was small amount % coAIS-
sary stores and few blankets.
SUMMARY EXECUTION II THE Third NL"-hAMf-
Shire.
The I'd New. Hampshire Regiment Of mounted in
fan,ry have lately arri ed here and been assigned 10
outpost picket duty. since performing thls service no
less than thirteen OF their men nave ueseieu anu soo
over with then horses and equipments, to the enemy
Yesterday six more encouraged by the exam OF ter
predecessors made an attempt - DO NEW Dl er
and strategy OF Major ] j. PiimptDn commanding the
regiment and Of them has paid to outraged gsuce
the penalty OF his treason. Ills name Is henry hhoI
private in Company T.
He was caught after he had passed our extreme We
dette station when within mile Of the Rcbei hnes,
and making the best Of bis way thithcr with al % MS
persOna effects in his hayersack and feedbag lie was
immediately taken camp aud placed under guard ar
irving about dark last evening He was today trlea
convicted and executed in presence Of s on Iegi'
mpnt and the 10th Massachusetts (mouuted Infantry
The execution took place nj o'clock this afternoon
Deceased WAS a German by birth, and had been 1--WE
wears in this country portion OF tins time be Lad
worked as baker and subsequently as bartender IN
New.York City. whence he was taken by a su0stl,
into btoker 10 the Old Granite State where be was sold
into one Of her best regiments He had been IN the
regiment about four mQ8ths, nnd was what IL Now
York IA technically styled a hard nut
prior 20 his execution he distributed among the mem
bers Of his company some soJo IN Hi1nes, anu w
| watches as tokens Of remembrance When asked by
the chapain of the regiment II DC hau anyth 70 say
or any message TO leave for HIS hlenGs' ne ieped ne
had no friends wanted prayers and had no iaVoFs 10
all OF anybOdy He seemed stOicAy indifferent 10 ms
fate and died as he had apparently llFed haruehed,
GOdforsaken miserable wretch Ii IS Dut justice " te
fine regiment which he has disgraeed that shold auu
that prior 10 their receipt III November Iast VI m
number Of substitutes no regiment in any department
Of the service enjoyed higher reputation 10Y o!a},
integrity and uninching bravery thah dld INC noD'o
old Sd New Hampshire. ,..
/ Their record has been clearly and indehby written
in blood upon many wellfought field ard by none Is
their present dis grace more keeny felt than by the men
themselves. They have however, The satisfaction %
knowing that of the subs with winch the regiment
is "cursed (as they express III not one Is hat!e
of their State They were of TO a man, picked up ia
neighborng States and brought by brokers 10
where by MEANS they were olsted upon the Stte
authorities, and by them sent down here 10 disgrace e
name which 1t has cost the life blood OF many OF her
noblost sons 10 place on the scroll OF fame.
y. S-The Harriet Weed has returned from the
wreck OF the Hunter, and reports her last gong 10
pieces. She succeeded in securing small portion OF
! the Qnarteimaster's stores board. The steamer
Haughton will go up 10 wreck her In the morning