The National tribune., 1891-12-17
and subsequent years. when Florida passed

the importance of the fort, as forming the
main defense of eastern Florida and
strengthened il considerably.
when the National troops took possession
14 large guns fell into their hands, including
one immense riAed gun OF 100 pounds CALI
Der. Five of them were in the fort itself
The rebels had also built in the vicinity of
the fort eight earthworks and mounted
them with guns; number Of which, how
ever, they succeeded in removing The
principal earthworlls were constructed on
the mainland so as TO rake the ship channel
For Eve miles vessels entering the main
channel were within easy range of the guns
OF Port Clinch, and for half the distance
within 600 yards.
Fort McRea, a large sand battery, mounting
-four 32-puuudprs two "a pnunders, ana one 81
pounder rifle well-c0nstruCted, commanded
the entire channel 10 Cumberland Island, on
which WAS another sand battery OF eight
guns On the eastern shore Ol Amelia Island
there WAS a succession Of small batteries, each
one mounting an smch Columbiad. Near
this one WAS a large gun, l20poHnder rlhed'
mounted in masked battery This gun iully
commanded the bar where the gunboats and
transfers had lain at anchor for - hours
Covering the town Of Fenandins, on high
bluff was a formidable battery of four guns
one 6i uouuder. two ri1ed A. Founders, aud
the other q 32-pOuuder Besides these the
rebels had two 10 inch Coumbiads masked at
other points. With such means OF defense u
seems uuaccountabie why the enemy should
have
ABANDONED THEIR ToRTIFIcATIONs
and ha tcries without a show of resistance.
The only explanation Of their conduct Is that
a. la
they were panic-s ricGcn 10y lhe lormiaabe
character nf the expedition sent against them,
and hv the successes OF Admiral Dupont and
Gen. Sherman nc Port ROYAL.
The Union flag having been planted on Fort
Cluch, the OTTAWA started np the Amelia
River within easy muskei-range Of the bluh
facing the river, where she was saluled hy the
waving of handkerchicfs from a number of
men and women on the housetops and wtaTvcs
A solitary horseman, supposed to have been ex-
Senator Nulce, dashed mp the road parallel 10
the steamer, evidently anxious 10 get out of
the way, and then passed out OF sight in the
woods.
The Ottawa's approach had been observed,
and before she had passed the upper cud OF
femanuna, The officers ana men on board
were startled by seeing locomotive with sew
eTal ears attached steamiug out ui town To
make their presence more unmlstal,ahle, some
soldiers iu the tram discharged their muskeis
al the Ottawa, but without doing harm, as the
balls either struck short or went whistling
over
Here q race eusued between the ears and the
steamer, which was both novel and exciting
The musketry Iroin the railroad ears continued.
whereupon an u inch shell was discharged
from one OF the Ouawa's guns just alter the
train bad entered piece o. WOODS.
THIS BKouGHT 1T TO A STOP,
having killed four men, besides wounding a
number oi others. The train was soon again
in motion, driving furiously along aud paying
mo attention 10 the firing Of the Ottawa On
nearing the railroad bridge il was discovered
that a rebel steamer had not got through, a. il
hHd beeu closed l0r the passage 0i the train.
shell WIS., fired at her surprising that she WAS
an armed steamer, but ELECTED uo response.
Tie railroad train reached and crossed the
bridge ga safety. and despite the Efforts OF
the OTTAWA, sucUeedcd la making good its es-
cape WhisliinF in the most haunting manner as
ID passed Qua Of range. il WAS row quite dark
and the rebel steamer was lu motion, when
several more shells were thrown Ht her and she
finally stopped.
As ID was impossible for the Ottawa 10 pursue
this light dfiit vessel, Commander Rodgers
took the NHbHsh's lauch aud cutter and fol-
lowed. Alter following a mile the steamer was
boarded. no resistance WAS offered 10 his board
ing her, which lac dad al the head OF his men,
and took beT q prize She proved 10 be the
Darlington RhiEh pressure boat of three STORIES
loaded with iruit and provisions. which she
bad attempted 10 remove % Jacksonville.
MOST DISTRESSING SCENE
met the eyes or Capt. Rodgers when he entered
the cabin. IN that contracted place, upon their
kHees, engaged Ia prayer aud eviuciug the
greatest despair and iear, were between 30 aud
AZ women and children, who thought their last
hour bad come Ia was some time before Cart
Rodgers could prevail upon amy Of them 10 las.
Zen 70 him 50 % TO assure them ol their safety
aud his protection. Finally they became more
Cam and heard what be lntd 60 say. They
stated tbal lbey had leeu assured that IL cap
turcd by the IulOn forces they would suffer
every indEnity and outrage possible, and ii
they esc3Hed with their lives they would be
Fortunate. The deiuded creatures afterwards
became quite resigned.
Lieut. Barnes and 20 men were placed in
charge oi the vessel. aud succeeeded In bring
ing her down 10 fcTnaudina iu safety A force
Was ne1i seni 10 the drawbraRe 10 protect ii
aHd % prevent tlie rebels from returning to the
town on iram leaving H.
When Lieut. Hubbard, who was the FIRST army
officer oH shore, displayed his flag \ number OF
thc residents expressed great lear of being
moirsted by Tie rebels who were left among
them, and wished 10 be taken before the Gem
eTai itaPpears that the military cummandaut
81 Fort Giuch, Gen Mercer had issued orders
for the evacuation Of the place on the lst Of
AiHErh. groat many families had removed
NiefinuAibs lht lrOnpat OF winch there were
from a,JB 10 J.UOU, commenced moving a. soon
az they discovered the Wabash aud Susque.
hanna 90 the bar. The last detachment 81
troops leil 0m the morning Of the 30 at o clock
and thc OTTAWA made her appearance at D. ~
just ~ hours later
These troops were under command Of Gen
Iapier. 81 South Carolina, aud were composed
OF the 30 and lth Fia Capt Oweus's Mariut
Artillery Of South Carolina, aud the 29th
Miss.
OFT oF THE ENTIRE POPULATION
some 60 or 20 Remained who refused 90 obey
the rebel order % eyacuate the place. The,
expressed great satisfaction that the Nationa
hag again luated over the city. anording pro
lection from the cruel aud oppressive require
nenis ~ Tic rebel soldiers. Ass00n a. the cant
uFe 81 Fort CiiHCh aHd the OCCUPATION Of tht
city Was accomplished. rebel EymIsthies dis
appeared aud nothing bar the sound Of Uniol
sentiments could be- heard in any quarter.
The occupation Of FrrnHudiuR aud For
Ciipch was assigned % Gen. Wright by Commo
dore Dupont ga sJon he had counIi Iiletsd a /
part OF the capture. Gen. Wright lost no tiHi
in issuing au order 10 enforce slrict obedieucl
aud % ascertain ~ the people remaining wcr
really loyal Iulouists o. rcheis lie did NO
take aHY compulsory means % exact Llie oatI
oiallcElalct, hut accepted mere verbal pran,i,
from the inhabitants that they would An ~
way communicate with thc reiels aud a. Ion
flIpN remained ff EarH.t.ls... a..