The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-03-22
r L O r | d a.
EXPEDITION UP THE COAST.
Gallant Conduct of Officers
and Men.
CAPTURE OF ONE PIECE OF ARTILLERY.
Return Of the Expedition to
Key West,
&C., &C., &c.
Our Key West, Fla, Correspondence.
KEY West March 49, 1858.


KEY West March 49, 1865.
PARTICULARS OF GENERAL SEwros's EXPEDITION
In my letter OF the 18th instant gave details Of
fight that took place by the Natural BRIDGE eight miles
above Newport, Fla. The information, furnished as il
by persons who could but portions of the affair,
necessarily imperfect. BY the arrival of General
Newton and other officers yesterday however, have
received such statements TO enable me to correct any
inaccuracies that may have crept into former report
At the outset 1t is but just to say that his object was
not TO reach ThomasvIllo but to occupy st. Marks, with
the view of making that place base for future opera
TONS and that consequently, far the expedition was
not failure and though he did capture St. Marks,
and compelled to retreat before superior force
about two thousand Ave hundred, and not six thousand
FIRST stated-he did so in good order, with piece OF
captured from the enemy and after the destruc
ton Of extensive salt works and shot and shell fac
tory.
Let be understood also that considerable delay took
place landing consequent dense fog in the midst
OF which several Of the gunboats went ashore thus giving
warning to the enemy and enabling him TO prepare
reception for troops Had the gunboats been
able ascend the st. Marks river and shell the town,
St Marks would have been easily captured. The dene
raj acqus the commanders OF the gunboats of all blame
in tho NATTER and cheeruy acknowledges tho readiness
to cooperate with him in the affair.
Previous landing the troops expedition was sent
to cut the railroad bridge and two turnpike bridges over
the 0clokony river and to destroy the trests work over
the Ocila river Another expedition sent TO cut the
railroad between St. Marks and Tallahassee. These
operations IL successful would have isolated the two
places.
THE DEGRADATION.
On debaring at the lighthouse the 4th instant the
command moved forward about two Males and a
half where encamped 10 await the landing OF the
artillery, ammunition and ambulances On the follow
ing morning advance made along the road towards
the bridge the East river who're it was found that
the pankng had been torn up by the enemy, who was
posted on the opposite sde with piece OF artillery
prepared to dispute the passage.
THE ENEMY IRON TIE BRIDGE
Fire was first opcned by two companies Of the Second
colored regiment, commanded by Major Lincoln. They
made gallant charge towards the bridge over the open
space intervening before which the enemy fed with
great rapidly. They followed by the two compa
Mes which acted skrmshcrs capturing the piece OF
artillery, which immediately turned on the flying
rebels The gun taken without timber or caisson,
| which had been taken away by the enemy
ruRsurr.
The bridge was promptly repaired by the soldiers OF
the Ninety ninth colored regiment, and, crossing the
line OF march commenced towards Newport, few
Of tho enemys cavalry being dscerncd now and then
On reachng Newport dense column Of smoke seemed
indicate that the bridge which IL was necessary to
cross being destroyed. Accordingly Major Weeks
and His Second Florida Sc mt on In advance To en-
deayor To save the bridge He arrived late however
as the aro had made too much Roadway, while large
force Of the enemy posted on the other side ready
pour in deadly fire whoever should attempt to
| stop the work OF destrlot on.
| Leaving Major Weeks at Newport bridge to guard
against any attempt Of the to and get in the
rear the Union troops service that he CALAMITY per-
formed under an nccssant fire from the enemy, the
/ column pushed towards the Natural bridge, some
eight miles above with the design Of crossing there
However il was discovered that the enemy strongly
posted the opposite side determined to oppose rs
| passage.
At daylight on the following morning Major Lincoln
with two companies OF the Second cavalry commenced
the attack and succeeded in driving the advanced posts
OF the rebels the bridge; but his further progress
was checked by superior force who were strongly IN
i thickets and other natural defences
ENGAGEMENT TILE NATURAL. BRrpGE.
Reconnoissnsces were made with The view OF aScer
tain NJ the practicabty Of crossing nj some other place.
hut without SUCCESS, and il was determined u attonpt
force passage the bridge Accordingly Colonel
Towns nd in command OF the Second coloscd, was or
dered the enemy's right nank, and Major Lincoln
to make the direc assault supported by Col Picrso,
| commanding the Ninety ninth coorcd
| Advancing CALAMITY to the charge, Col Townsend
drove the enemy before him. They fed precpltacly,
abandoning their brcastworks; but unfortunately, our
encountered, right in their way, wide and deep
ditch, impossible TO troops, aud were compelled 10 re-
| turn.
position, while the Union troops were posted IN
/ low marshy position, was determined 10 Withdraw
about three hundred yards In the rear in open pine
barren which had been previously selected This was
done IN good order the enemy not making any opposi
| ton 10 the movement.
ENEMY REpuIsED =.
The rebels supposng that forces were in full
retreat advanced In force, with artillery and infantry
but their surprise they received by perfect
line OF infantry supported by artillery Two desperate
charges made BY the enemy, but they were re-.
pulsed with heavy loss on the part 81 the ana
the Union troops remained masters Of the field This
the last OF the rebel troops Some oil their
cavalry occasionally seen on the return mar h.
The accompanying map, kindly furnished ms ny an ac-
complished young officer Indicates the place N landing,
! line Of march aud tho battle ground.
CONDUCT AND Mry
Officers and behaved spcndidly. The blacks arc
highly spoken OF for their conduct In charging which
seems 70 be their C.te Among The Officers honora1ay
| fought desperately Captains Rgney and Harding OF
the Ninety NINTH also particularly distinguished them
selves II wa the latter gentleman who Drought on the
capsred gun.
In the absence of the Official returns the exact number
OF casualties cannot be ascsrtaned but they are est
mated at hundred and My In killed, wounded and
| missing or these II IL supposed that thirty are
Lieutenant wilson with twenty Ave OF the Ninety
ninth colored who were outpost duty, were captured
4 by the rebels
The following list OF the officers killed and wounded,
/ as far as is known hcre;-
Lieutenant sanncd, Goth coored.
Lieutenant Darlington, General Scwton's stan
l Colonel Townsend, "a colored slightly
4 Major Lincoln, "a colored mortally tsince dead
i Captain Tracey, General Newton's stan severely
Captain Grant. I'd coorcd, slightly.
4 Lieutenant Seymour "a colorcd, severely.
/ idcutcnlnt Woodwork, I'D colorCd severely
Lieutenant Murphy, ~ colored MORALLY tsnce desdl
Colonel plcrsott ggth colorcd, slightly.
Colonel Brown, % colarcd slightly
i Hospital steward, u, = A., slightly
CAPTAIN FoATANK
u ought 10 mention the conduct or Captain Fontane,
late 81 The Mariuc cos who volunteered % serve on the
expedition, and behaved well IN tho light lie was
slightly injured by tho rocoil of gun CAPTAIN Fonian'
" tho grandson ~ Colonel Alexander Patterson the vete
ran Mayor .! this city lie was on board the Misss
spp whom she was Onod oppoa T. Fort Hudson, on TIN
memorable TAN aud l5th VI March, 1868, when Admira
ranaeui forced Tie possago Of the batteries The Cap
tan taken prisoner b. The rebels ca that occasion
THg Nat4f. ueNNAN Dth.
Njor General gam Jorcs inludtd tho rebels in h
\ hto alt tne6cr Ceuarai 'iiltr IL. 0 took part
Z n