, 1864-05-03
Correspondence y. Z. I1era'd.}
UNITED STATES STEAMER N1FuoS.

OFF NEW INLET, y. c., April =, 1861.
On the night Of the 2ist Instant boat ex-
pcdition was organized bF Captain Dreck. Of
1lis vessel, accompanied by boats from the
AoWqr0h, Tor the purpose OF destroying the
rebel government salt works, which were ex-
tcnsiyc, extending over several acres Of
ground. There we're many conscripts at
tached to the works, which were located at
Masonborough, seventeen miles northeast
from Fort Fisher md eight miles southeast
from Wilmington. The Howq1ah and this
vessel took their positions On either side of
the inlet and came to anchor close In, so Us
to cover tue landing of the boats. At twenty
minutes past seven o'clock p. m, the expedi~
ton left the vessel One party 1anded a few
miles below the entrance to the sound,
whilst the remainder proceeded to the inlet,
and, crossing the sound, landed, without
any resistance las they had no fear Of attack)
TO our boats. They had grand entertain
nlent ut one OF the houses, from which,
poon wafR 0r 4an m Ss evefv e3tedfS sfcoa The nas
+. N, the whole Of the works were blown
up, the engines demolished, outhouecs and
one hundred cords of wood set On fire, and
ono hundred and sixty army wagons and
everything that was Of any service to the
rebels destroyed They captured seventy-dyc
escaped in tie woods. The whole affair was
we'll conducted, under the command of Capt.
Brock In person. The prisoners We lad to
land On the beach until such time as SIC could
find couveyanccs tor them to be transferred
on board Of the two vessels. As we were
about sending them off in the bouts large
cavalry force made their appearance on the
beach. We allowed the advance guard to
come up within thirty Yards Of our pickets,
and within two hundred yards OF where the
prisoners were. We demanded OF them to
surrender and 1ay down their arms. They
responded to us with a tire1rom their rifles.
We returned well directed fire, wounding
several Of them and killing two horses; but
they succeeded in getting Oh in great coniu-
sion, minus some OF tlieir small arms, &C.
Their main body advanced toward our pick
ets the second time, when we made a signal
IVES clear moonlight, our men could see tue
enemy distinctly. Our guns opened On them
with ehel1, and they broke in great
confusion towards Fort Fisher. At twelve
midnight ne succeeded In getting of
the prisoners without the loss Of man.
The Niphon then weighed anchor aud stood
for the HoWQual, the commander OF which
ras instructed to remain where le was and
watch the enemy, as we intended to cut off
the cavalry At twenty minutes past one q.
m., We landed force two miles northeast Of
the half moon battery, aud seven miles sontl-
west Of Mnsonborough Inlet, marched right.
up to the Inlet. and arrived there at four a.
n. Saw nothing OF the enemy. We picked
up three refugees, including one woman,
who succeeded in getting across the Sound
in a emnll skiff. At thirty minutes past four
we took the boat In tow aud stood for tho
senior officers ship {Fogt Jackson}, all well
satisfied after good nights work The raid
We made must lave created quite m excite
ment among the rebels. They we're heard to
beat the long roll, exchanging signal lights,
aud firing gums ali aIongthe different fortifl-
cations, think with little more force wc
might have captured Fort Fisher. A great
deal Of credit is due to Captain Sands, senior
officer, also to the captain Of the Howquah
t'ea1 Of credit is due to our guides, to whom
We are much indebted for the success OF the
eSncdition. They are North caroliniaus,
wllo 1--we escaped from rebel tyranny, but
whose names cm not at liberty to mention