Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-03-17
BY TELEGRAPH.
EXPEDITION TO OLD RIVER.
Capture of Cotton, Mules, &c.
A Rebel Colonel and Major
Captured.
A Rebel Attack Oh Water Point
RepulSed.
WAsHISsToS. March Is

WARRINGTON, March 10.
Admiral Porter encloSes Il commuiCa-
ton from Lieut.. Commander Thomas ..
Selfridge of the Canestoga, in which he
states that learning there was large
amount of cotton belonging to the rebel
government, under small guard of sol
diers, not far from where Old river in
tersectS the main levee, he landed on the
morning of Feb. 18th, with forty-iive
seamen and some contrabandS. After
marching six miles, he found the cotton,
and would have captured the guard but
for the accidental explosion of a musket
On his way back he was considerably
annoyed by Texas cavalry. He captured
thirty-two bales of cotton, twenty mules
and several horses, and took rs prison
ers Col. c. II. Tyler and Major p. O'Brien,
of the rebel provisional army. The day
before he destroyed twenty four hogs
heads of sugar about TO cross the river,
which was too bulky 10 take on board
The Navy Department has received a
communication from Admiral Porter, in
which he enclOseS one from Lieut. Com
mander Greer, of the United States
steamer Rather, OFF Hurricane Island,
Feb. 18th. He says
| have informed you in previous let
ter, that detachment of about two hun
dred negro troops have been stationed
at Water Proof, making it depot for
negroes, cattle &c. This aroused the
indignation of the rebels, and on the
l4th, force of about eight hundred cav
airy, of HarrisOns men, made an attack
upon the coast, driving in the pickets
and pressing the troops there very hard.
Fortunately for them the Forest Rose
was present. Capt. Johnson immediate
. ly opened fire on them, which drove
them back. He got his vessel under
way, and shelled the enemy wherever
his guns would bear They retreated to
the woods. This lasted from 3 to ). 30
p. m, At s o'clock the enemy attempt
ed to make a dash into the town but
Capt. Johnson, who was well posted.
drove them back. Eight dead bodies
and five prisoners were left in 0nr
hands. Our loss was five killed and two
wounded Capt Johnson says that some
OF the negroes fought WELL but for want
of discipline the majority did not. Lieut..
Commander Greer arrived with the Rat
tier after the fighting was over. He
then proceeded to Natchez, reported the
facts to the commander of the post, and
asked him to send up endorsements
The next morning he despatched 200
men and some howitzers and ammuni-
ton to Water Proof Upon arriving at
Water Proof on the 18th, he found that
i'll the morning the enemy who had been
reinforced in the night, and whose for
ces now consisting of two regiments Of
Infantry and one of cavalry and four
pieces of artillery had again attacked
the post. The Forest Rose, whose com
mander was ever on the alert was ready
for them. \ few well directed shots
stopped them from planting their bate
ry on the plank road, and drove their
off in confusion. The attempts of the
remainder to advance were frustrated
by the Forest Rose.
Capt. Johnson says that Capt. Ander-
son asked repeatedly for him to take his
troops on board and throw them across
the river, while in every request John
so declined, and could only tell him to
fight. After the enemy was routed he
felt more easy and discontinued his re-
quests to cross. The ram Switzerland
arrived about the close of the fight and
joined them
The rebel loss as far as known was
seven killed and several wounded who
were taken off. and number of prison.
ers among them lieutenant, who were
taken to Harrison. Our loss was three
killed and twelve wounded. In the two
days fight the Forest Rose expended 270
shell
Under date of February 16, he says
~ have received dispatch from Capt
Johnson, dated the 18th at 10 o'clock
P. NJ. which says the rebels have made
another and final attack on Water Proof.
He sent few shells which caused them
to retire. The retreated towards Har-
risonburg, burning the bridges behind
them. The rebels cannot stand the fire
of the gnnboats."
LArER.-He says everything is quiet,
but they have informal on that the reb-
els are making preparations for an at
tack on the contraband camp opposite
Vicksburg. The negro troops at Water
Proof have been committing many out
RACES.
REBEL CAMP SURPRISED.