New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-03
Expedition Up the Ashepoo Rivcr-Further
Particulars.

On Wednesday last Brigadier-Gen. Blrney
commanding the District with his usual activity wen
on an expedition W the Ashepoo River with severa
transports gunboa and considerable force OF cav
air, and infantry, under orders from Gen. Hatch.
Arriving from several directions. the boats were u
rendezvous during the night at Benefits Point at The
mouth of the Musketo Creek Gen. Birney had the
armed steamer Plato. Capt r. i. Getty for his flag
Nearly all the boats arrived at the proper
place in good time and landing Of portion OF the
troops was effected But the Mary A. Boardman. Capt
Grahm loaded with troops, got aground on Comoahee
Bar. Some difficulty being found in getting her of
Gen. Birney took the troops out Of the Edwin Lewis
Craon
he then directed the Edwin Lewis to 90 down and
take the troops OF the Boardman. Ascer,aihng that
the pilot Of the Lewis was not very familiar with the
channels VIM. C. Mendel pilot OF the Plato was sent
down TO the BOardman with orders 20 pilot the Lewis
mp the river he being perfectly familiar with all the
channels.
Col Bsyley of the 9th U. S. c. T.. having command
Of the Lewis ordered J. is stated, to proceed 10
Benefits Point and the steamer Boston, which had
Just come up, and had board portion Of the 4th
Massachusetts Cavalry and other troops, under com
inald Of Col. Montgomery, vas ordered 20 follow her.
Mandel the pilot, instead Of obeyDg his orders re-
ported that he had been gent down to get the Mary
Boardman off went on board her and stayed there.
The Edwin Lewis proceeded up the ryer under diec.
ton Of her pilot The latter states that he several
times inquired the destination Of the boats but received
no answer from Col. Bayey. So be passed BENEFITS
Point where the river turns at almost right angle
and kept on up the stream After going several miles
q Rebel sentry shore hailed them The hail was an
swered. and the boat Kept o. Another hail further on
was answered in the same way. but st the Edwin
Lewis kept her tlshe had proceeded some
miles. where Rebel battery was marked on the maps
provided for the expedition. and till distinctions
had beeu passed Col Bayey judged that as his boat
very light draft, the other boats could not have
passed the distractions, and concluded he wrong
The pilot again inquired the destination. and told
il was al the mouth Of creek on the night Of the river
lie replied that il must be Musketo Creek several
miles below as he had been acquainted with the river
Fix years before.
The Edwin Lewis then put about In going down the
river they found the Boston ashore near where the
Rebel battery was located.
In the meantime Gen. Birney had landed the rest OF
his troops and proceeded about six miles up road
toward the COosaw River, meeting enemy and feel.
ing sure that the expedition to be successful.
When he received news Of the Boston's condition he
withdrew TO the landing considering il TO be his first
duty 70 save the Boston possible and the troops and
property on board her.
At daylight the Rebels opened on the Boston with
much energy. One shot struck the SAFE went through
Capt Farcoths room. and into the boiler. Col Mont.
gomery and Lieut.. Nelson, Of the Navy, volunteer,
displayed great GOODNESS and bravery and the troops
were landed on the marsh and marched mile and q
half down the shore. The men showed good discipline
and great pluck
Capt. Z. f. Young, A. d. c. was sent UP with the
Plato 10 aid the Boston. II possible When over mile
from the Boston she got aground. She Immediately
opened on the battery with shells from riAed gun
which was worked very effectively, the Shells however
falling short. After firing about hour and half the
Plato got off but in the meantime the gunboat Dai
Rebel battery vigorously.
The Boston was hit about seventy times with solid
shot from three small rfed pieces. She had two men
Of the 34th T. s. c. r. killed. Six, who Jumped over
board were drowned several were wounded and
large number Of horses killed Capt. Young when il
was found that the boat 10 be destroyed, made
strong efforts 70 save the coors but could not succeed
On the Plato Vim. Herbert Of the Sd x. l. Artillery
while putting shell in gun. severely injured by
premature explosion. The fuse Of the shell was IT,
nited but Herbert, with commendable presence OF
mind, threw the shell overheard and il burst in III
water. The sponge Of the gun was blown overheard
and another member Of the 80 X. recovered il by
swimming 200 yards at the risk Of his life.
The troops. officers. and crew were taken off the
Boston many escaping by swimming but 1t was found
impossible 70 save the horses When the condition Of
the steamer was reported 20 Gen Brney he reluctantly
gave the order 10 have her burned considering that sic
too much damaged 10 be got of and that 1t would
be impossible to save her under fire from shore bat
terry which coald be easily strengthened.
Capt Chas. Is. FesseBden. j., A ID. &, was sent up
with skih 10 set her on fire, and successfully per-
formed the duty. About % horses persisted In the
flames, and much valuable property belonging 10 tie
Government, with the personal effects OF the crew, and
her officers money and papers.
The Boston was fine boat. which has long been
dong good service 10 the Department. She was
loss VIII be much felt ia the QGartcrmastcrs Depart
70 have been military necessity after the conduct 81
the pilot handel and the other mistakes committed.
bad placed her where sls We do not understood