The New York herald., 1864-12-08


slsi continue ~ wsge .ss'nst tne Union has csured
each OF them 10 be scaled up. and has destroyed their
The craving f,r commerce ard iuxures al Charleston
which rebellion has not extinguisheo. with the
sing zssds 81 rnnng the blockade at Wilmington.
have prompted reckess aavensers expeso their
fortuns eiorls 10 eude tbs squadron Of Adm raj
Dahigren Several valuable steamers having eeen lost 10
these atemtts the Efforts were ior time siupst entirely
discontinued
charieston aud Savannah, besides being among the
best defended points the Atlantic coast possess
vantages navy which the insurgent leaders eIl
much reliance 10 the early days OF tue rebellion There
they mad amored vessels and rams, and torped
boats, "Davids aud "Dirers''-elements with which
they threaiened achieve tho open
fare Of naval forces OF the Upion. Charleston dis
seoed without csuse, aud aspiring without enterpre
having, after long AID persistent efforts succeeded
ssducing others engass with her in sssaing
tioua government ana a,temptiog disInembs men Of
tho Union, faiis 10 become either naval commercial
emporium she has dragged down others without s,eyat
ing herself, and rs last becoming a waste.
No formidable independent operations IN the form OF
naval Conflicts been made hy the squad ON during
the year steady, uureentng blockade has been riydy
enforced, with no attractive snd exciting Incidents but
which has been eeciive ana exnausns upon the rebels
In Feb uary detachment OF vessels sent 70 the
ST. Johns river 10 aid militsry oroe intended TO be
thrown into florida. Rear Admra, Danlsren accom-
a,ive arrangements made, and assigned an adequate
naval force which is holding pcssesson OF all points
SION Was made a. Bulls bay In May force was de-.
tailed 10 cooperate In effort TO tho railroad be-
cAds crossed Sno bar 10 July TO assist General Foster
IN demonstration upon the rebel works Stono river
DAntgren COnuuCtod
the naval force In person In these and other military
movements tho navy has been always active and ready
TO extend cordial co operation to every army operation
In February permission WAS given TO Rear Admiral
Dahlgren to leave his squadron In command OF Commo
dore s O. Rowan On resumiog his duties, IN May, he
found that General Gilmore bad been Called with the
hind, however. su fcient defensive force whom sus.
tantd ny the navy The withdraw OF so large por-
tion OF the military roroe necessarily put stop further
serious dem mensiration against Charleston
The retention Of the harbor well the entire SAFETY
OF that depended thence mainly the IRON
csds. They were indispensable for the continued pos
session or Morris Island by troops. and they could
hive been Withdrawn without putting in jeopardy
tho bockading feet. which, well as the land force,
would sssailed by rebel vessels.
The capaby OF the Monitors TO hold position or Morris
Island had been controvered oy the former intelligent
y and bad deemed i his duty, in june 1855 enter
protest against It, His with those OF the
officers then 10 commsnd o. sne iron c.as that those
that point than North Edsto with other suggested
d,niculties. caused the department 10 consider we'll
Its purpose before carrying the original order that
the Monitors should remain inside the bar and of Morris
Island az the only eectual method Of entirely closing
the port, and making furt her demonstrations
The views Of the department were sustained by other
naval officers OF Judgment and ability. Younger officers
Of those who had doubted each offering 10 take the
risks which tho great stake justified, while the sailors,
ship. Initiated and emulated their example.
The result has been that Rear Admiral DahRren has
sisted they could not remain to the great injury or the
original seat Of the rebellion The work has been irk
some and laoorlons usrsm ana perhaps not
demonstratve without those occasiona captures which,
before taking possession Of the hbor envened and re-
wardod the officers aud crews.
Intellgence that the rebels were strengthening Fort
Sumter building bomb proofs and mounting heavy guns
tho channel faces led Rear Admiral Dshlgren early in
the 70 entertain the thought OF attacking that
forlincAton and attempting the passage with his iron
clads question OF great responsibility, for the
assault. made, would draw upon the vessels the
centrated re Of many powerful battcres no therefore
called . council Of his officers 10 command, and eter
fuil ms II
circumstances, unadvisaba II was consequently Aban
Several creditabs pcursions have been made at vari
Gus points within the limits OF this command resulting
10 the dscomnturs OF the rebes Details Of these As Of
Occasional assaults have been made onr vessels on
Charleston by torpedo boats and In instance with
but fortunately with little loss Of lifs
= MoRH ATLANTIC SQUADRON.
The number Of vessels and officers and men employ
Cd in the North Atlantic squadron exceeds that OF any
other and Its importance II certainly not less. In
s.ss e z: % .sss
S;s & sss SoIS sd
and % extensive ooopsrs.on win the armies which are
thrsatsniog Richmond and its vicinity;
charge o dUy s possible IL
this squadron and especially that Of the blockade OF
the department. established four divisions q the squad
RON, vz:-Ons on james river. one 10 the sounds q
inicis each OF which placed under experienced
officer. and Acting Rear Admiral Leo removed his head
For some months previous 70 May the rebels had
been left IN quiet possession Of James river for con-
the Posomac army towards the rebel capital was The sig
nal for active operasionS 10 another quarter On the OH
OF May Major General Butler moved his army from New
ports News under convoy OF naval force which had
been assembled for the purpose up James river, and
made the following night successful landing At bermuda
Hundred aEd City Point. The movement was quietly
performed, and the landing promptly effected. The
absence OF military or naval force on toe James river
had been improved By the rebels 70 plant its bed for.
midabe torpedoes, by which two OF the light draught
boats destroyed.
From tho landing Of the Army OF the James In May
force competent 70 meet the armored vessels and
rams OF yhe Insurgents, had they made q demopstra-
James On various occasions sharp but brief engage.
have occurred between vessels and the reb
batteries forming the defence or Richmond.
The force had anticipated an encounter with the
rebel fleet which had been 10 the course OF preparation
for two years, but the military commanders. out q
the channel by sinking vessels for the protection OF
the large transport fleet that was In attendance upon the
army aud which IL apprehended might he disturbed
perhaps endangered In the waters were de-
mousaon to be made by all or any portion o. the rebel
navy. security OF the transports justly deemed
OF vital importlnce 10 the army and required to be
placed any contingency Hence this obstruction
ron. cads other naval vessels, doubtless wise
military precauton, although it restricted the move
The operations in the sounds OF North Carolina have
been interesting and important IL had been cherished
sounds and regain the principal places them which
had been wresed from rebel authority early in the war
by the united Efforts OF the army aud navy Preparations
long progress for the construction OF armored
vessels others OF light draugbt, the Roanoke and
Neuse rivers with intent TO descend and drive out from
the sounds our feet OF slightly built wooden boats
capture Plymouth, Newbern and other points held by
arms, and establish rebel power 10 that quarter
These schemes though partially successful at the COM
meDcement, soon closed in disaster
Delays In the completon Of the armored vessels
ordered by the department. and especially intended for
service in shallow waters, which were Inaccessible to
the ,nitor vessels already built eoparded posses
OF the sounds There wassaso she want Of an ade
quate military force n that quarter.
On the 17th Of April the rebels bcseged Plymouth and
two days after the rebel Albemare descended the
Roanoke river and attacked the wooden gunboats yng
OF that On the goth the deences carried the
garrison became prisoners and the rebels obtained pos
session o the upper sound 10 consequence OF army
verses, vigorous Immediately taken BY
this department W prevent further disaster. Captain