The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-16
THE PURSUING STEAMERS
Capture Of Four Union Officers and Twenty
four Men from the Pursuing Vessels.
DETAILS OF THE EXPEDITION.
Further Particulars OF the Destruction Of tho
Blockade Runner Bendlgo,
Our Naval Correspondence.


BLOCKADE UFY WEsrxRN,BAR ,
WniIsGIoN, N G., Jan. 0, 1854
s my purpose to narrate this letter the facts con.
cerug the chase and OF the blockade runner
Dare by the United States steamers Montgomery
and Ares Resulting in the capture Of the executive ocer
one engineer and seventeen men from tho Montgomery
and ensign, the captains clerk and from
| the Aries, by rebel cavalry on the coast.
Il that early dawn tho morning OF tho Stt
the Montgomery discovered steamer apparently at
tempting to get away from the bockading aoet after
unsuccessful attempt to got into Wilmington during tho
night Chase Immediately given, when the steamer
hosed the rebel flag, and soon after tho Aries hove 10
sight and joined Ia the chase. Notwithstanding the well
speed Of the two vessels II was evident that tho
rebel was getting tho best Of II. Several shots
were fred at her. asd II afterwards proved that ono
effect in Of her paddle boxes Later Ia tho chase
strong and favorable breeze for the Union steamers
came up with full sal, and steam Il certain that
the blockade could not get away. She was doer
mined noko be captured however. and after all hopo o.
escape gone she headed In for the land and was run
ashore thirteen miles northeast OF Georgetown Light
g c. The Montgomery ami Aries Immediately lowered
their boats and with boarded her, not how
ever until all hands board had gained the land.
The surf at the time running very high, and tho
sea was striking grounded vessel heavily, thus max
Ing the matter OF boarding extremely dangerous and dif
cult Had IL for this the steamer could have
been taken off and made valuable TO our government
After setting her rc the officers and crews repaired
to boes. very trying mc for tho ooats cre~sn now
ensued Tho surf high that was almost impossi
bic 10 push from the barnng vessel. SIX boats nad
escaped danger and returning TO their vesses,
when il was discovered that boat from tho Aries had
swamped aud All hands were h0underng 10 the wa
ter George H. Pendeton Acting Master and Executive
Officer Of tho Montgomery In charge Of launch at once
returned to the unfortunate men, ana succeedco
nns ana daring ACT he was n nearing his steamer
when others were seen in tho Turning onco more
good work his boat soon became unanageaee ana
il was impossbIe 10 render them any help. We could
only feel thankful when we saw that they wero safe on
Night coming on the Montgomery aud Aries lay by %
anchor until morning with the nspo o. resoverns sSc
that they had unfortunately been captured our
ing the night by rebel cavalry as several hundred were
| seen on the coast IN the morning. .
Atdaybreak the United States schooner Geo. Aanshan,
bockaas ne, near ~ up 70 me scene seen q sc
90 close shore and shell the rebel cavalry and cesss
The destroyed vessel proved 70 DO tho English steamer
splendid sdewheel vessel OF seven hundred toDs,
and was from Nassau bound for Wilmington.
Her cargo apparently not LARGE and from tno lacte
gathered Is highly probable that some mporsans and
distinguished rebel persons were on board and me only
object OF the get them safe into Rebeldon
The Dare chased distance Of sixty miles Il 10
possible that Of The unfortunate boats crew may
have boon lost u 10 be hoped thas all are alive
the bravery Of conduct the part o. Act.
ing Geo Pendlston 10 communicable 3. the vc.y
highest degree Third Assistant Engineer Geo ~ Smith,
OF tho Montgomery, and Mr - Parkman. Captains
Clerk Of the Aries and ensign OF tho Sumo vessel,
whose have not learned, among The captured
also state the circumstances attending thos
destruction of tho blockade Bebdiko but
few days since. u seems that this yes.
sci got. ashore milcs down the coaet from
the bockaimg fleet. an was Discovered by The nag
ship Fake with Adnnrai Leo board, and jmmedi.
atoy opened uion her and after joined by
the Montgomery. Both 1rod At The BendgC
and by evening several shots had taken elect Fairly
the next morning the Bcndgo was boarded by boat
expedition from the Montgomery Iron Age and Daylight
In charge OF Acting Master George H. Pcndeton, aud
destroyed Four valuable blockade runnersthe steamers
Ceres, Antonica. indigo and Dare-haye In this way
been destroyed on Western BAR Wilmington, since the
9th day Of December. The question may naturally boz
asked how II Is that many blockade
suddenly and rapidly be Ing destroyed while running
into port2
In my mind the question Is easily answered. t Is we'll
known that the lightshp which has been stationed OF
Fryngpan Shoal which 10 the dangerous approach to
Wilmington was blown or in gaze OF wind; and while
these have been destroyed ghtshp has
boon at this place.
That tho blockade runners have made this light most
important point from which 70 take bearings &c, and
have been governed ny alt gother whlo running IN
out is most evident without u they obliged 10 mako
the land guide and In 70 doing at night ret In shou
water and aground and arc tben discovered by our gun
bo,ts and destroyed
The Montgomery has just arrived hero from destroying
the Dare. The Aries remained behind, and u Is hoped
that when she returns something will DO known OF the
ctptured officers and men.
win only add that the Montgomery participated In The
destruction OF three OF tho steamers mentioned In this
letter.
Probable Loss OF the United states Gum