The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-11-06
IN THE FAR SOUTH.
Tho Capture OF 81. Johns Bluff. Fla.

works.
The expedition was commanded by Gen.
James Nj. Brannan, aud consisted of the follow
ing forces: the 47th Pa, Col. r. II. Good,
S25 men 9TH Conn, Col. Joseph Hawley. 6i7
men; section Of the ist Conn. light battery, III
men. and detachment of the 1st Mass. Cav,
60 men--total. 1873. They were embarked on
board tho Ben DefOrd, Boston, C0sm0polite, and
Neptune, and arrived Off the bar of st. Johns
River early the following morning tOct. ID
Owing TO the shallowuess of tho channel they
were unable TO enter the river.
This expedition was joined by the following
gunboats, Capt. Charles Steadman, u. S. N,
commanding: Paul Jones flag ship. Cine
rome, Water Witch. Hale, Uncas, and PATRON.
On the expedition coming within tho river
three gunbosts were sent up 10 feel the position
of the rebels, and were Immediately engaged
by the rebel batteries, apparently of heavy
armament, on 81. Johns Bluff.
A landing was effected at place called May
port Mills, short distance from the entrance
of the river, and the entire troops, with their
arms, horses, and rations were on shore by
o'clock on tho night of Oct !.
The country between this point and st. Johns
Bluff presented great difficulties in tho trans
pOrtation of troops, being ntersccted with i'm
passablc swamps and unfordabe creeks Upon
reconnaissance being made, this place was
abandoned and relanding made at q place
known as Buck Horn Creek between Rabble
d
swampy nature of the ground IL was found i'm.
practicable to land tho cavalry and artillery at
this point.
Hero the gunboats rendered much valuable
assistance by transporting the troops in their
boats and in landing the light howitzers to cover
the landing of the troops. Col. J.. II. Good, with
tho entire infantry proceeded Immediately TO
the hoad of Mount Pleasant Creek, and there
established position to cover the landing of
the cavalry and artillery.
This movement was executed with great
promptnoss and skill, surprising and putting
TO flight the rebel pickets on that creek. The
landing of the troops Mt Buck Horn Creek
proved TO be most fortunate, such proceed
ings being so unexpected on the part of the
enemy as 10 entirely destroy any plans that
they might have formed To prevent our land
ing. The pickets retired In such haste as to
leave their camps standing, aud leaving their
arms aud great portion Of their wearing APP
parel behind them.
On the afternoon OF Oct. the command was
in position ut the head of Mount Pleasant
Creek, distant about two miles from the rebel
batteries at st. Johns Bluff.
Here the statements of those belonging to
the locality, though conflicting aud unreliable
in the extreme, appeared to sgreo IN placing
the strength OF the rebels at 200. cavalry and
infantry, i'll addition to the heavy battery,
which they represented as containing nine
=
Columbiads
Under the circumstances, a consultation was
had and IL was resolved to call on Col. Rich, Of
the 9th Me- commanding at Fornaudina, for
reinforcements, who promptly responded by
sending 300 men. Early the next morning
Capt. Steadman sent the gunboats to feel the
position of the rebels, Smelling them us they
advanced, when the batteries were found TO 10
evacuatod; after which Lieut.. Smell, II. s.
Navy, sent a boat ashore and raised tho Stars
aud Stripes, finding the rebel flag in the bat
terry. the u. s. Steamer Water Witch retaining
possession of the batteries until the arrival Of
the land force.
The Commanding General Immediately ad-
vanccd from tho position Mount Pleasant
Creek, aud occupied the deserted works aud
late campOf the enemy.
The position Of the rebels on So. Johns Bluf
was found to be Quo OF great strength aud pos.
sessing heavy aud effective armament The
works were most sk!llfully and carefully CON
structeh. ard the position greatly enhanced by
the natural advantages Of the ground, IL being
approachable from the land by bat one route.
which would lead tho attacking party through
winding rayiue Immediately under the guns
OF the battery, and from the narFOwncsa of the
channel sc this point and the elevation OF the
bluG, rendering the fighting Of the gunbDats
difficult and dangerous. Most OF the guns were
mounted on complete transverse circle, and
taking everything into consideration. small
force Undetermined men conld have maintained
this position for considerable tirno against even
larger force than were present.
On first occupying 81. Johns Bluff Capt
Steadman with his gunbouls proceeded to Jack
sonvils for the purpose of destroying oil boats
aud otherwise intercPting the passage Of the
rebels across the river
The rebels had n light battery OF eight pieces
and a position in readiness 20 receive some
heavy guns at place called Yellow Bluff This
appeared TO have been lately evacuated.
On Oct the guns at St. Johns Bluff were
dismOunted, and with the ammunition were
moved on board the transport Neptune and sent
10 Hilton Head. The magazines were blown
up and the batteries rendered uuserVeeable
The 47th Pa. performed this duty.
Jacksonville Was found % be nearly deserted
there being but small portion of the inhabit-
ants remaining chiefly old men. women, chill
dren, aud cOntrnbands, On the arrival of the
troops aud establishing n pckot-line a few
rebel cavalry lowered around, but they soon
dispersed upon being pressed. Here It was as.
certaiqed that some rebel steamers were seGreLod
ia some Of the creeks OF the St Johns River and
the transport Darlington, with 100 men of tho
f1th Pa, under command Of Capt. Yard, with
two "a Founder howitZers, aud a crew Of % men
under com mand OF Lieut. Williams u. s. Navy
aud conway Of gunbOats. was sent to cut them
out. On the morning of Oct. 8, 1862 this party
returned, bringing with them the rebel steamer
Governor Melton. which they had captured
about go miles mp the river, aud % miles from
the town of Enterprise.
The rebel troops ia this portion Of the coun-
try seemed not to have sufficient organization or
determination 20 sustain any one position. hut
seemed 10 devote Themselves 10 guerrilla war
fare. but AZ waEsxomplied in our AL vance on St
Johns Bud. They seemed to fear too near
approach, aud thus their IRE was never effect
i've. They commenced to evacuate ST. Johns
BluG Immediately after the surprise of their
pickets near Mount Pleasant Creek
On the return Of the successful expedition
after the rebel steamers, the troops returned 10
the mouth OF the st. Johns River aud proceeded
10 Hilton Head The most perfect harmony
and good feeling existed between tho two
branches of the service In every respect, ow-
ing 20 the gentlemanly conduct Of the com.
mander Of the naval forces. The troops showed
| great energy, zeal aud activity. aud desire 10
meet the enemy,-but the latter was too feet for
| them,-and no doubt would have given good
account Of themselves had the opportunity pre-
! sentcd itself-JAMEs II. HAROLD. Lieutenant,
| LIST n. Y. Eng, Dunelen, n. j.
| Read " Better than Pension " on page Z.
| Snapshot Secrets.
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