, 1865-04-05
FROM FLORIDA,
An Important observation-disclosures
Captured aud Rebel Property Ue~
eIr0yed
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago T1ibuce.1

An Important Expedition-Ne1vport
CAPTURED and Rebel Property De~
atroyed
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago T.ibure.l
Cairo, April 1.
Now Orleans dates Of the 18th ut. are fur
nf.hed by The steamer ". R. Arthur. The 7+u
Dt2a fearns from a Gentleman recently arrived
from Fey West the following Interesting pasticu-
1ars Of An expedition which lett shat place on tho
6th inst The expedition Consisted Of two fnt4n.
try regiments, the I'd and 99th U. s. coIor<d In
ENTRY and the I'd Flsada white cavalry, uuder
command Of GSueral Newton, district com.
mandcr, In p1fson. The following vessels Of The
navv. under command Of Lieutenant Commander
Gibson, also started with w expedition: IL.
tending to destroy the town Of St: Narks.
IN s., Marks nVcr they were forced to return to
the enemy: The vessels were the taeship Hih!s-
Gus. Fort Henry, Arpsrea, Stars and Stripes. lso
ne5 s6t ssus: and axSe auS Ihs nded a q,
advanced rapidly to East river, which cuptles Iu.
10 Tie St, Marks a short distance from the mouth.
brisk ekirmisnF ensned; resnn In In tbe Ee1nee aee
Of the enemy with considerable los Thsy re-
treated leaving 10 position at the ford Of East
"a short distance above The town OF St. Mark,
the river ol that nauc makes sudden turn and
nns;paral;cl With East rlseE I've mi!cs. Above /
els had large eho. and shell factory. 70 tbs
place the enemy fell back. Onr troops closely
pursued and drove the rebels from {heir lines
acsose the river, the bridge over which they de-
stroyea aftrr crossing. All property belonging 10
the zGtet government tn Newport including the
shot and Ehclt factory was burned. Gen, Newton
Newport. to Natural lrioge. where he again met
the enemy in itcreased numbers. The position
vas vigorously attacked and the rebels again |
driven, our troops puftu1ng to within few rnilee
u 1allahaseee. ucaFy additional rcinlorcements |
could now be 1ecn coming 10 the assistance Of the
rtbels> and Gen. Newton determined to FILL back,
tec{ossnR st. Marks River ar Ma u1al Bridge.
lie tel back about three miles to the position 10
utcd By hi "A in bis march inland, and here threw
up slight breakfworks. The enemy speedy fol- |
lowed md essanlted with three regiments Of IN
:antfJ. after dsst ehe'lfns with two hzttef7es- |
notwithstanding q reaiuent Of rebel cavalry kept
mp an annoying endlatine fire, tho attack Of this |
followed. 1'ht. too wss defeated, and the enemy !
re1reated, 1earf ing Gen. Newton In undisturbvd I
oseeesion Of The field.
Our forces now letsure!y withdrew to the coast,
where they 1egan the destruction Of -alt works. |
scMe tuclre iafge Embellishments were utterly
smashed 10 pieces and build
l',:s burned, Had it rot been for shallow watcr
suffered. The object Of the expedition was
mainly to destroy st Marks, for 1t came 10 the
l1,dWledge Of Gen. Newton that tina rebels tnenf,-
n. now that Charleston and Wiim1n.to have |
'slep, 10 make this abe great blockade running !
ntet. Thc1u ia Il lne har:or and everything suit
He for the purpose. bnt Uur blockade Aeef vii;
ur tie present prevent mach contrablnd business /
'sipg done.
In the entire expedition our 1osees were only
II Killed, wounded, and missing, While that Of !
be Enemy, as learned from leeerters who after
'arde came of 10 our shipa, was ovcr ito.