Year: 1861

came satisfied that that object was nothing less
than to obtain information through spies OF the
military preparations here, and of other matters
pertaining thereto. Accordingly, when the VIM.
Selden steamed into the harbOr, a few days ago,
she quietly taken possession of by the military
authorities and tied up. Whether the Commodore
stormed and swore at all when he learned this
trihing circumstance, dep0nent saith not, but GER
tain it is that he sent peremptOTy demand Tor tne
immediate liberation of the vessel, to which Gen.
Gywnn replied by politely requesting the Commo-
dOre to " come and take her," he has not come
yet, and as the vessel is staunch, snug, fastsal-
ing little craft, it is possible that the General
would not consent to give her up if he should
come.


| must give the Commodore credit for one act of
iustice. which will not be likely to recommend him
to the fanatical Government he serves six negroes
disappeared recently from the fishery of gentle.
man of Princess Ann county, and it was ascer5alned
that they had been stolen and taken on board the
Quaker CITY, one of the vessels of the blockadng
fleet On Saturday last the owner with two other
gentlemen, visited the flagship under a flag OF
truce, and on learning their crrand, Pendergrast
promptly ordered the negroes to be given up,
which was done.


The Portsmouth Transcript states that on Satur
day last side wheel steamer fired shell at the
fort Craney Island five miles below the CITY,
The missile exploded before reaching its target
and of course did no harm. The compliment was
returned, and few exchanges followed without
harm to the fort. The hostile vessel soon turned
tail and fed. If the statement be true, it would
seem to indicate that more active operations than
mere blockade are resolved upon.


About one mile from our encampment Is sta
toned the Alabama Regiment, 100 strong, under
Col. Wlthers. Hearing that fatal accident had
occurred there last night, went over this morning
and obtained the particulars from one of the Off
GERS Lieut. Stores, of the Wetumpka Light
Guards, started at late hour to go outside the
lines, and to the challenge of the sentry replied,
=" A friend, with the countersign." Instead OF
bidding him advance and give the countersIgn, the
hFpu he
Ga Mississippi rihe) and discharged it, the ball
striking the unfortunate young man in the abdo-
men, lust above the left hip, infcting wound
which caused his death in a short time. The affair
caused intense excitement in the camp, some OF the
companies threatening to lynch the sentry, not
withsanding his declaration that it was purely ac-
cidenta that he had the gun at half COCK, ana
that it was discharged by the conclusion OF the
butt striking his hip when he brought it to the
charge" position. No one doubts that the sad
affair entirely accidental though caused by tue
most criminal carelessness Lieut.. Stores was
| considered as promising young man as any IN the
| army aud was a son of Judge Stores, Of Wetumpka
| The sentry was private in the Cult City Guards
| Of Mobile, named Hunt.


| When at Richmond I heard the account of the
| firing upon the steamer Yankee, from 4 sand bat
| terry at Gloucester Point, on York river, not fa'
| from Yorktown. The Yankee was engaged in sur
| veying and taking soundings at the time, and was
! beaten off with some damage, it was sad. Arumo
| is now current here that the steamer Pawnee at


tackled the battery yesterday OF the day before
| and completely destroyed it but the story obtain


very little credit. The battery. it is said, wa


strongly built, armed with four heavy guns, AM


well manned with brave and skiliful gunners. Th
Pawnee carries but four guns and IN view of tn


immense advantage of land batteries over gun


ahOat, it seems incredible that she could have mas
| tered a weerected and well-detended sand bat


terry, throwing an equal and perhaps greater weigh
of metal.


Everything is quiet here, and we are entirely i


the dark as to the movements or intentions OF tn


enemy looking towards hostile demonstrations i


this neighborhood.


will endeavor in my next to give correct lis


of the officers of this regiment, in order that the


numerous friends in New Orleans and elsewher


may know where they are and whatthe are doinG