The New York Herald Newspaper, April 2, 1862, Page 2

2 Propriety of the citizons raising the national flag on For’ Bt. Mark, a suggestion which the authorities acquiesced fm cheerfully and with alacrity. In fifteen minutes after the banner of the republic floated gayly over the towers Of Fort St. Mark, placed there by the Mayor of the city, without a single federal officer or soldier being present Ro witness its ascendency. The victory was not the sss complete because blood- toss. ‘The citizens wore found to entertain the strongs Union soutunent, and they manifested, in every w Ubeit joy on the restoration of the old tag on the place Ut had so long waved triumphantly, and they indicated, im more ways than one, their satisfaction and pleasure bvor the supremaey of the Union arms. I short, they were very glad that federal authority had driven out rebel malcontents from their city, and they felt more happy when they wore assured that we should hereafter hold the place. No better evidences of loyalty could have beon manifested than those shown by the poople of St, Augustine, and we are all satistled that they are Qonest and true in those expressions. A little incident occurred while Captain Rodgers- and Mr. Dennis were walking from the landing to the City Hai!, which will illustrate the demented condition of the rebels in the South, ‘While engaged in conversation with the Mayor, as they wore walking up the street, » lady appeared, and ad- froased Captain Rodgors in the most excited and singular Manner, exciaimtng:—‘ Tho cowardly men have run Away from the city, but,” striking her bosom in the Most frantic and melo-dramatic style, « you will tind bome brave hearts among the women!” Her tragic atti- bude and speech did not produce the effect intended, and ‘the dady subsided. It proved to beno less a Personagy shan Mrs. Loring, wifo of the Mr. Loring who was ki! by De. Graham at the St. Nicholas Hotel some yoars Since. She is the proprietor of the Planters’ Hote! hore» and,umder the secesaion regime, is of considerable im- ortance; but under the new order things is looked ‘upon as a harmless fanatic, and allo. o< to beat the « cot- fon” in front and berate floyal citizens as much as she thooses. After the interview betwee ‘een Captain Rodgers gad the municipal authorities had terminated so satisfactorily to both parties, the former essayed ® roturn to the Wabash outside at about tive piclock. It was found impossible to cross the bar with safety, in consequence of the low state of the ‘ide, and the party wag obliged to return here. On land- ‘ng, they proceded to the Magnolia House, kept by imine ost Major Buffington, a very clever fellow and au Sait in keeping a first class hostelrie. There they found com Jortable quarters and enjoyed a good dinner off of wild ‘urkoy, bacon, corm bread, sausages, and “coffee,’’ made trom sweet potatoes, cut in slices and parched like coffee, and ground like the “aromatic berry,’ from which thoy made acapital meal. They had no buttor, that being a luxury long cut off by the blockade, and the salt on the table.was made on tho cooking stove of the hotel from bea water, and retained a little of its bitter flavor. It was white and clean, but not equal to common rock salt. Major Buffington showed his gueats every attention, and Se meat as they could have been at During the evening the Major, accompanied by a num ber of the most prominent citizens of the city, called hpon Captain Rodgers at the hotel, and spent the evening with him ‘in an agreeable and pleasant manner. The most friéndly sentiments wero mutually expressed, and the everling passed pleasantly and quickly. As‘the Wabash’s cutter’s crew were unarmed, being andor a flag of truce, Captain Rodgers suggested that it eroald be a proper precaution if the citizens should throw buys picket or patrol on the main avenues of ap proach ‘to tlie city, to guard against an attack or sur- prise. The suggestion was adopted, and a dozen of the loading gentlemen of the city armed thomselves with muskets found in the'fort, and did picket duty during the balance of the night faithfully and well. Is that not o an wen loyalty and an evidence of good faith in On the following day Captain Rodgers and Mr. Dennis feturned to the Wabash, greatly ploased at the evidences of aistrong Union sentiment in the important city of St. Augustine. Abouteight hours before Captain Rodgors landed the two companies of rebel troops, called the “Blues,” had decamped in boats, and had left for Smyrna—a village on tho coast, fifty miles south, where there are about seven hundred men. At Smyrna the steamers Cacil, Caroling and another, which have done a fiour- Gshing business in running the blockade with munitions of war, are reported as lying at anchor inthe harbor. It 4s anid that there are immonse quantities of munitions of war yet remaining at Smyrna,and I learned that the Commodore proposes to pay it an early visit. But of that more hereafter. Afow quns were found in St. Mark, unspiked and in erfect order. A smalt quantity of gunpowder of an infe. ior quality was also found; but it is hardly good enough & fire salutes with. } Very few of the citizens, comparatively speaking, have get town. Not more than one hundred have fled the city, mostty—in fact, entirely—secessionists, among whom ere the wife and family of Gen. Hardee, of “Hardee's Tactics” fame, Over fifteen hundred inhabitants remain. \ -siness is carried om as usual, and [learn that the busi- ‘css men propose to reopen trade with the North at an Warly day. Two-thirds of the inhabitants are Minorcans, @groat majority of whom are Union men, or, perhaps, fndifferent, and a very few of whom are secession. fists. His Honor Mayor Bravo is a Minorcan, and a man of might among them. There are ‘about twenty-five ladies in town, who have openly espoused the Union cause throughout the troubles, and they desorve great credit for their courage and fidelity, ‘Sustained under the most perilous and trying circum- wrances. The iahabitants are most hospitable and friendly to the Union forces, and endeavor in every way to make them as comfortable as possible. Ttis reaily refreshing @ campaigner like myself, who has been from Vir- ginia to Florida daring the entire war, and not before found a village that was not deserted, or, if partially oc cupied, occupied by rebels or cold friends—it is refrosh ang, 1 say, to again meet with women and hospitable friends. It repays me for all my discomforts and some of the misories I have endured in ronghing it for eleven months past. Troops are expected here in a day or two, who wil! hold the fort and avenues of approach to the town. St. Augustine is a quaint, curious, dilapidatea old town’ laid out in squares, the streets being straight, narrow ‘and unpaved, and overhung by the wooden balconies o tho gray stone houses that crowd on the street on either as if they intended to make further encroachments on the narrow way, and finally crush it between their massive walls. The streets are so narrow that it is im- possible for carriages to pass abreast, except at one or two points. It is said they were not originally intended for carriages, and that during the Spanish colonial times they were paved with coquima—s natural concretion of and and small shells, formed on the peighboring sea Deach, which may be cut with a spade when fresh, but becomes as hard ag stone when exposed to the combined ‘ection of the air and sun. In those days you may see in one or two places traces of the pavement, but, for the most part, nothing but duat is seen, to which the pavement has been ground by the wagons of modern days. The houses are usually of two stories, built with little regard to architectural ef- focts, but wearing 8 massive and venerable appearance, Tho gardens between the house are hidden from the streets by high, thick walls of coquina, and are blooming with flowers of all kinds and groon with the leaves of the pomegranate, the delicate orange, now in blossom, ‘und the dark, broad fig tree. Thi ie londed with the dreamy odor of the orange bicssom and the fragrance of the flowers of the pride of India. The olimate now is delightful. Tne air is as balmy and genta asa June day in New York, and nature seems to have arrayed herself jn Der most charming attire to captivate the stranger who bas entered her realm. I do not wonder that Augustine isa ngreat resort for invalids. The climace throughout the year is described as equable aud delicious, without those trying, sudden changes that mark the limate of Italy, T.could live here forever. ‘The appearance of the inhabitants is as foreign to your eye as the style of the town itself. Here are descendants of # foreign race—the Minorcas, © poouliar people, comprising a large proportion. The women are not unhandsome, with @ light olive com- plexion and a large biack eye. The men are homely and lack enterprise. They gain their livelihood by fish- tng and hunting, and retain their old peculiar religious and national customs to a great extent. They use the Spanish dialect, and resemble the Spanish in pergonal appearance The religious festivals of the Catholic church, as ob+ served in Minorca, are enjoyed here. Carnivals are regularly observed, and Lent is ushered in by maequor. edes, dances by night, ssions of masked and grotesque figures by day aud pro At another time I will write a fuller description of the nn NEW YORK HKEKALD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 1862—rkiPLE SHEET. city fort, barracks, &c., the customs and habits of the inhabitants and tho sports enjoyed. I must close my letter now to catch the mail for Hilton Head. Our Expeditionary Correspondence, Steamer Cosmoronran, } Ovr Sr. Jouns, Fla., March 18, 1862 Fernandina Quie—A Large Arriva! of Contrabands—Cap ture of a West India Vessel Trying to Run the Blockade— The Vandalism of the Rebels, dc., dc. Leaving Hilton Head yesterday afternoon on board the | Stoamor Cahawba, we arrived at Fernandina carly this morning. The Cahawba had on board Gen. Sherman and staff, who were on a visit of inspection for the first time to this section of the country since its oc- cupation by the Union troops, Nothing of any importance transpired on the trip. Arriving at Fernandina, Goneral Sherman had a burried and short interview with General Wright, the latter having Just returned from a visit to Jacksonville on the morning of our arrival. Ifound nothing of any great interest at Fernandina since my last visit, Everything appeared to be moving, along with perfect harmony. Contrabands continue to arrive from the interior and mainland, and there are now im charge of the Provost at this point one hundred and sixty—an inérease of some eighty in ten days. There was one thing I noticed in looking through the negroquar- ters was, and thatthe contrabands congregated here are of a far more intelligent class than those I have met in other places. Another thing, they are kept at work. and hence are more useful and valuable not only to themselves, but also to the government. The contra- bands are of course im clover; that is to say, they are perfectly happy to think they have found as good friends, and so pleasant a change in their life. The idea of freedom is to them a bappy condition? although I cannot, for myself, look upon it in the same light, The fact is, a negro was never made forany- thing else but a servant, and if we undertake to make them their own boss, and, as we find them in Chatham Canada West, and other portions of Canada, they become perfectly worthless. Colonel John Prince—for many year> a member of Parliamentfrom the Essex district, Canad» West, a year ago in Parliament—remarked he never knew but one honest negro in his life, notwithstanding one sixth of hisconstituents were negroes. On our trip down from Hilton Head we had as a pri soner a Captain Henilusser, a native of the West Indies | but who had resided for many years within four miles of St. Johns. He was taken on board the schooner Anna, by the United States steamer Bienwille, some two weeks ag His crew consisted of three other persons besides him self, and also a passenger named “Mack.” His vessel's argo was 12,000 bushels of salt, which cost in Nassau, N. P., ten cents per bushel, and was worth $2 50 at Jack- sonville, Arriving off this place, we were hailed by aman ron. ning along the beach, with bis umbrella in hand. Gen. Sherman ordered our sieamer stopped, and a boat was senton shore. Troops are stationed at this place at Mai- pert Mills, which, Iam glad to say, are still standing— not burned. Our friend who hailed us appeared to be the Catholic priest, named R. Chambon, who was <lesirious of getting to Jacksonville. He was taken on board and proceeded with us on his trip. The work of destruction may be seen the entire dis- tance from the mouth of the St. Jobns to Jacksonville. Tho destruction of property has beon great, and it is adis- grace to civilized warfare to think the animosity of our Southern friends would so far extend as to destroy indis- crimately the property of friends and foes. The Search After the America. OUR JACKSONVILLE CORRESPONDENCE. JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 20, 1862. The Troops on the Lookout for the Rebel Yacht—She was Found, Aaving been Scuttled and Beached by the Rebels— She will be Saved—The Steamer St. Marys also Found, &c. On Monday evening, March 11, the gunboat Etter and steamer Darlington, with two cutters and one launch from the steamer Wabash, each with a howitzer and some sixty men from the ship, left this place, under the command of Captain Stevens, of the steamer, for the pur- pose of ascertaining the whereabouts of the yacht Amori- ca, of world renown roputation, and steamer St. Marys. both of which vessels were lying at the dock here the day previous to our arrival, but suddenly departed on first gotting sight of our fleet. On Tuesday morning the expedition arrived at Palatka, @ point’ some forty miles down the St. Jobns river. They found the place nearly deserted, and remained but a short time. Proceeding a short distance further on the river, they found a large mill bad been destroyed, and some twenty-five miles further on the Ellen got aground near where the yacht America was sunk. This famous yacht bas been lying at Jacksonville for some months, in expectation of loading with cotton and running the blockade. She was purchased in Eng- Jand by some Southern gentiemen, who came over in her. It is to be regretted that she should have been al- lowed to be put to so contemptible a purpose as she was, bnt it is gratifying to know that she wiil be rescued from the disgrace that would bave attached to her. The yacht is run up high and dry on the shore, scuttled; but will be got off without any serious injury to her. ‘The Ellen being hard aground, the steamer Darlington, with the launches, went in through Denvers Lake to Haws creek, where, through the intelligence of a negro from Brooks’ plantation, on Denvers Lake, who knew where the steamer was, after a run through narrow channels, at times the smokepipe of the Darhngton striking the overhanging boughs of tho trees, the long lost steamer was found. She is lying in some sixteen feet water, her bows run upon shore and her stearn in the stream. She had been scuttled or her outport valves opened; but it was thought there would be no difficulty in getting her afloat again. The St. Marys is an iron steamer, 172 feet lop thirty-four fect beam, and nine feet depth of hold. She was built at Wilmingthn, Del., and has been running be- ‘tween Savannah and Charleston, and also down the 3t. Johns river. There are sapposed to be five other steamers—the Gov. Milton, Silver Creek, Hattie Brock, and two others whose names I could not learn—up in some of the creeks or rivulets tributary to the St. Johns river. ‘The steamer Darlington came down to-day, and return- ed this afternoon with a large quantity of barrels, hogs- heads, &c., to be used in raising the St. Marys and Ame- rica, Liout. Irwin, of the Wabash, was left in charge of the expedition to raise the America, with the cuttors and launches from that ebip and crews. It all the steamers on the river make quite can be found an addition to onr flee, aid and assistance to our cane They will at once be put into requisition under charge of some of the naval officers, and in a great measure relieve the gunboats of dutics they are now engaged in. The value of the shipping we shall take in the St. Jobns wit! probably amount to $200,000—perhaps more. All the steamers are well adapted to the trade, and cau, with little trouble, be well armed so as to greatly facilitate the internal traffic, The Capture of the Emily St. Pierre. OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENUE. Usirep Stares Steamer James Anomr, Ory Cuareston, 8. C., March 1s, 1862. At half-past twelve P. M. to-day sighted a vessel in the offing and immediately weighed anchor and started out to her. As soon as she saw ws start in pursuit she short. ened sail and hove to. She proved to be the kmiie =t. Pierre, now hailing from Liverpool and previously fr Calcutta, the 28th of November last, aud from Sand Heads, December 7. We sent two officers on board, took possersion of her and took her to an anchor—one officer remaining in charge, the other taking the captain avd papers tothe senjor officer, who condemned her as a legal prize to the United States steamer James Adger. A prize crew was put on board and she was sent to Philadelphia. This ship waa built at Bath, Main 1854, and was formerly @ Charleston and Liverpool packet, but has been employed for the last three years in the Calcutta and Charleston trade, She hada full cargo of gnunies, and wos ostensibly bound to St. Johns, New Brunswick. She thowed no colors, nor was any national ensign found on board. A few moments before she was boarded they wore observed to throw over the stern a simall package, which immediately sunk. She was formerly owned in Charleston, and doubtless is at present. Many things on board were marked Cherleston, and Charleston on the stern had been eraged and Liverpool substituted Oar Hilton Head Correspondence. Hittow Mean, 8, C., Match 97, 1892. Dearth of Ne vr—-March Winds and Flying Sant—Its In sinualing Qualities, and ils Bod Effate—Arrival of Contrabands from Charteston—Affairs at Beaufort Un changed—The Missionaries—How They are Getting Along—the <Agriculturists IncompetentMr. B. 1. Pierce, and What Me Propoves To Do—The Missionary Experiment a Failure, and the Causes—The Educational Branch of the Orcanization—What It 1s Doig and How It Is Doing t—Kywestrivn Exercises of tht Banl—Ste pidity of the Negroes—The Troubles in Missimary Cir- cles—Boston vs. New York—Boston Ahead—Sta's of the Contest and the Principals—How the Reports of the Mis- sionaries are Made—Prevatence of Smvaiipox aid Fevers Amoma the Contrabands—The Condition and Fare of the Contratands— What Should Be Done—The Atlantic Bank—Arrival of the Wabash, &c., &e. ‘There is lamentable dearth of news on and about Hilton Head Island. Everything is quict along our lines except the sand, which has become of late exceedingly aspiring and quite unwilling to remain in its usual place. The boisterous March winds have had something to do with this sudden chango, and I suppose we may lay all the blame for the dust kicked up of late to old Blowbard himself, I have before now seen dust fly in New York— before, and indeed since, the dusty Hackley plied the broom with his left hand and drew his pay wiih his good right—but I must, in candor, acknowledge that on Hilton Head you can see, or rather feel, denser clouds of sharp, blinding, penetrating sand, of the most insinu* ating character,than on Broadway. If any ono de- aires to eat that “peck of dirt,’ which un- cleanly cooks assert is to be eatea before death, and complete the pleasant task in the briefest time and in the most natural manner, let him by all means come to South Carolina and indulge in a little of the ‘sacred soil.” He will find it everywhere and in liberal quantities. This sana, like Jeff. Davis’ troops, is of a fleeting character. It fills the atmosphore, penctrates into the closest room, gets into your trunk, encrusts your single linen shirt and quarter bunch of paper collars therein. contained, which you are carefully reserving for the first reception of the jady missionaries at Beaufort, and in every way manages to go where it is not needed or desired. Green goggles are becoming exceedingly fashionable as a protection to the eyes, and one at first thinks, in meeting so many, that a fresh importation of Fellows of the Freedman Society has reached us; but the absence of the inevitable umbrella, and presence of clouds of sand, dispel the idea. Really the sand is @ most abominable nuisance, and ought to bo abated. T cannot furnish an item of news from Hilton Head, ex- cept the arrival of four contrabands yesterday from Charleston, They came offto the Flambeau, Lieutenant Upshur, commanding, while she was lying off Charleston dar. They had possessed themselves of a boat and put out of the harbor at an early hour for sea; were discovered and picked up by the Flambeau. One of them isan in- telligent woman, who can read and write, aud a keen ob- server. She reports having read in a late Charleston paper the news of the capture by our forces of Island No. 10, in the Mississippi, but gives us few details. Consternation is exhibited throughout the city of Charleston, in consequence of some intelligence they have received. Nearly all the women and children have been sent to the back country. Goods and furniture, and everything valuable removable, have been and are being rushed out of the city, to points leas exposed toa visit from the Yankees, Many men are anxious to leave; but they are all compelled to remain and to take up arms to defend the town, but all are very fearful that the result will be disastrous to them. The news of the recent vic- tories of Union arms has hada chilling influence upon the chivalry, and they begin to doubt the truth of their favorite axiom, that ono South Carolinian can whip five Yankees. The relative abilities of a Yankee ana rebel are beginning to look nearly equal, even to chivalry it- self. ‘The dashing fights in the West, Burnside’s brilliant and successful attack on Newborn, in a neighboring State, and the capture of Beaufort, in the same State, and our operations in this department, where they re- tive as we advance, must satisiy them that we are not all cowards and boys. AndI venture to say that the results of the next thirty daya in this department will not strengthen their old opinions of us. _ Charleston is reported as being surrounded by two lines of intrenchments, one of which is within two miles, and the other about five miles from town. Thoy are of immense size, well constructed, and requiring a large force to defend thom. Very few guns have been mounted upon the works as yet; but the recent startling intelli- gence has set them to work agzin, and they aro daily mounting guns. About six hundred men garrison Fort Sumter, and it it well propared for a siege. That is about all the nows the contrabands bring, except that they report provisions very scarce and high, in consequence of the number of soldiers in the town, and the great difficulty in geiting Supplies from the back country. Afjairs at Beaufort remain unchanged. The missiona- ries sent out by the National (7) Freedman’s Society, are still in the village, enjoying themselves huge!y. some of them have settled down on plantations on the isiand and on Ladies’ Island, where they are developing tho re- sources of the sil and instiHing into the contrabands’ mind valuable lessons on the universal brotherhood of man and the like. As I have not visited any of tho plantations of these agricuiturists, 1am unable to report to the friends of the canse the results of their labors so far, It ts the general opinion of those competent to forma correct judgment, that a vast majority of the men bronght out by Mr. Pierce are perfectly incompetent for the positions they have assumed, aud that thoir career, which will be brief, will be marked by ignominous failure. Mr. Pierce. [ understand, has a dim perception of how the affair will turn out, and [learn that he proposes to resign his position and return North in a month or six weeks, oF as soon as a successor relieves him. Fe has already gained ail the reputation that be can reasonably hope for, and it is a shrewd idea to retire before disap. pointment and failure have wilted the green wreath about his brow, and changed it to a sailow hue. The great experiment, as he projected foregone fa and all that remains iz to pay the laborers in the vine- yard] their hire, and safely transport them to their more congenial retreats in retail grocery and dry goods stores North, Private enterpt may work these plantations successfully with contraband Iabor, directed by imvotli gence-and experience; bit a different class of men must be sent here, aul under different a ices than these now wildly wandering in a maze of ignorance,and falso ideas. In the first place, the assurances made the contra bands by the jonaries, that they are their brothers and equals, not obliged to render service if they choose otherwise, and free to act their own pleasure in all things, have iuspired the igoorant biacks with the idea that they are perf free. Freedom, as they un, derstand it, means indolence andinactivity. They have no higher ides of its true meaning, and consequently they believe thoy are hereafter to enjoy a continued holi day; and when they are asked to work they refuse in many instances, and inquire If they are not free? And you can’t explain the matter to them, as they are inca- pable of understanding it. That is one reason why the exporiment under the present plan will fail; the other is equally as cogent. The s perintendents of the pianta- tions are not fitted for the position. Not one in ten knows anything about farming; nearly all are igoorant of the use of tools and implements, and hardly know a plough from a seed planter, Their lives have been spent in other and foreign avocations, and to look for success in ® movement guided and controlled by such men is as futile as attempting to extract sunbeams from a cncam- ber, The results will bear me out in what I have written The missionaries attached \o the educational branch of the movement are doing aa well as could be expected, hey are mostly im Beaufort, quartered together in a arge house ip town, and engaged tn the pursuit of abon doned furniture, with which they are fitting up their mangion in regal atiuence. They are quite successful in this iine of busines*, aud their career promises to be glorious. Rev. Mr. French is a famous forager in the furniture line, and his reputation is firmly estabtished: He may be seen at al) hours of the day, mounted on one of the Quartermaster’s horses, gaily capering #bout the village, white Mrs. French and some of the leading ladien are enjoying themselves hugely in riding about in a bar ronche, drawn by two of the Quartermaster’s horses, Their advent on the shell rosd is thes I for a good deal of pleasant excitement among the soldiers and civilians. Lumderstand that a school js in eperation al- ready, in which “boys”? and women ars taught to read and apell. 1 believe that the teachers find some stupidi- ty among tho coptrabends, amd that it is not he easiest matter to teach them the alphabet but with pationce they may succeed in due time. H Several ladies and gontlemen joined the party last Sun day. They came on the Oriental, and belong to the same type of strong minded or sentimental women and weak minded and theoretical men. Jam pained to be obliged to announce that the mis. sionary circles are still disturbed by the old tronbles, After long and able discussions, the relative superiority of the ladies from Boston and New York has not been de. cided. There is a groat deal of hard talk between tho respective cliques, and some little feeling has been mani fested by both sides. As the contest progresses the com batants grow warmer and warmer in ¢xpresying their opinions of the other, aad the dissension promises to read the band in twain, break up the party and go dis gust both sides that all will go home, You see, the Bos ton people having brought their doublo refined Boston ideas with them. cannot possibly gee how some of the Now York tadios who hava been respectable milliners and dressmakers ia Canal atreet—as they assert—oan be fitted for the grave aud important duties of yoaching ‘ne contraband to read and write; and believing, as they do, that ouly in the modern Athons can one acquir® those peculiar qualities of mind and habit ne to the successful prosecution of @ teacher's duties among the contrabands, they Cannot credit the report that the New York ladies can beso insane or presumptuous as to dare attempt any- thing in that line. Hence the row. One thing may be said in favor of the missionaries from Gotham, They come without receiving @ cent of pay from any society, whilo the Boston ladies receive a stated salary, liberal and certain, And Iam sure the ladies from Now York, although thoy aro a little on the seutimental order, are fully as well prepared for the work as th se fromthe Orient. Still, Boston rules the roast. In spite of the able and chivalric dofence and assistance of Rev. Mr. French, I am fearful that the Fast wili win the day, and drive off their co-laborers from Gotham. Mr. French will not go, though; he has what tho soldiers torm a «good thing,” and is not quite ready to relinquish it. Tam apxious to cee Mr. French’s report, which has un- doubtedly been sent on to the North. Hoe has prepared one of some length, and at the supper table, at the head- quarters, did he read it to a large circle of the brothers and sisters, who were intensely gratified at its tone, ‘he delicate manner in which it complimented them all, not forgetting Mr. or Mrs. F., and at the astonishing success which the missionaries had met with since their arrival, which had been but dimly realized before the report was written. Lintend to keep the public informod of their move- ments, and shall fairly and justly attach credit or blame where it belongs. If Mr. French errs in his reports I shall endeavor to rectify the error, for which he will be very grateful, undoubtedly, but I don’t do it for that reason. “No, Judge, Iam above it.” Smallpox prevails to an alarming extent among the negroes in Beaufort and on the island. There are now twenty-five cases in thesmall pox hospital, under the care of Dr. Waldock, of Boston, Mass , who camo out with Mr. Pierce. He is an ablé physician, and very success- ful in cases of that loathsome disease. Having made a specialty in this practice, toa certain extent, he brings a large experience and a thorough knowledgo of its cha- racter and the proper mode of treatment. He has los, but fow cases. He is now engaged in vaccinating the negroes, and has already treated betwen five hundred and fifty and six hundred men, women and children. Besidessmall pox, the negroes aro afflicted with fevers to a greater extent than usual. Quite a number have died, and the sick lists are increasing. ‘The physicians attribute this great increase of sickness and mortality among tho blacks to the change in the kind, quality and quantity of their food. A glence at their regimen while under their masters and at work, and the present, under quartermasters’ care, will satisfy eve- ry one that the present system is radically wrong, and will result in killing all the contrabands, if continued, ‘The allowance to field hands, when working, on the plan- tations South is one peck of corn (unground) and three pounds of meat—either pork, beef or bacon—per week. ‘The meat was not given to those not working. The ne- groes were then fat and healthy, and suffered compara- tively little from disease. ‘Whan Captain Lilley took charge of the contrabands at Beanfort heallowed them the following articles, and in the quantity specified:—Fifty pounds of beef or pork, five pounds of coffee, twenty pounds of rice, vight quarts of beans, three quarts of molasses, and Indian meal ad lidi- fm to the one hundred rations. Six children were en- tiled to one ration. Rice and beans were issued alternately. Under that system the negroes lived better that ever before—had enough to eat, and wero healthy and willing to work: Capt. Lilley had 556 negroes under his charge, and during the two months he controlled them but five died, four of whom were children and the fifth ‘an old map who had passed his eighty-first year. That was the result of his system. On the 20th of January Capt. Fuller took charge of the contrabands,and began to issue full soldiers’ rations to each aud every one, counting children, and the conso- quence is the billsof mortality have increased to an alarming extent,and the negroes are rapidly becoming worthless and unable or indisposed to work. A soldier's ration is one pound and a quarter of beef or pork, eigh- teen ounces of bread, rice, beans, sugar, molasses, soap, candles, pepper, vinegar, salt, &c.,in proportion, valued in tho aggrezate at forty ceats per day, or for five bundred and fifty-six men, women and children, $222 40 per day, for rations alone. Capt. Lilley’s rations may be valued at $45 per day, or perhaps less. Now, in the first place, there is not a soldier in the army that can or ders eat his ration daily. No man can eat twelve hard buscuits a day, besides bis yound and a half of pork or beef, his potatoes, &c., furnished him. Nor can the negro do it with safety. Nevertheless he is glutton enough to eat alt his pork and beef daily, und is killing himself as rapidly as porsible. It is a continual thanks- giving feast with him, and he will fail to endure it just as a white would who eat bis Christmas or Thanksgiving feast every day. There is a limit to human endurance, aud the coutrabands are finding it out very rapid- yy. Laying aside the more important humanita- rian aspect of the question, the frightful expendi. ture incurred in feeding the negroes in this sumptuous and unusnal manner, should be taken into consideration. The Chited States government is feeding ot least twenty- five thousand negroes daily, at a cost of about ten thousand dollars per day, and at tha expense of the ne- groe’s health and comfort a3 well. Now, with the regi- men furnished by Captain Lilley, which is much better than the negro has ever before enjoyed, and which costs about eight or nine ceots per day to each, the same numberof mon nright be ted for $2,250 per day, saving the government each and every dey the comfortable sum of $7.750—an item of considerable magnitude. I don’t propose to enter into a lengthy discussion of the subject , but merely reter to it in order to suggest that it might oeenpy the thne of some of the intelligent gentle. ng tho missionaries very profitably to them- selves and to the public, And if they wilt only investi+ gate the anbject in agthorongh Manner, and moke are- be of some real service to the contrabands can suggest a bill Of fare for the negroes which will be cheap and nutritious, I call upon them, or the wnder-in-Chief of the department, to investigate is subject. It needs it much. Another matter might be investigated by the au- thorities at Beaufort. What pasties are authorized to put into circulation one dollar notes issued by the Atlan. tic Bank, of Roston, Maesachusetts. I had occasion yea terday to make @ smut) purchase of Chauncey Robbius & Co., Boanfort, and received as change for a ten dollar ynotea five dollar Treasury note and four one dollar bills of the Atlantic Bank, Boston, with some spe cie. I am informed that this firm is putting ont these notes in large quantities, whieh go into the hands of sel- diers and negroes, who cannot nse them unless they are given in trace ogain to Robbins. Some of the notes are endorsed as (ollows:—'' Received of Chauncey Robbing, whe receives: two and a halt per cent from the bank for putting them into circulation,” or words to that elect, The notes, of courso, will never return to the bank when once in negro hands after our torces have left the island, and the bank will be the r thereby. If that is the object of this issuance of by Robbins it is too sharp practice tobe long al lowed; and if the banis is a party to the transaction jt is equally guilly in attempting to swindle the poor contra bends. 1 bave heard of negroes selling one dollar notes on the Atlantic Bank fe fifty cents, as they look at them in the light of shinpiasters. Genel Stevens onght to put @ stop to the ferther circulation or issuance of notes by the above firm at once, and thereby protect the soldier and contraband, Another question; Has any government oMeer who is interested in a banking institution any. thing to do with the circulation of the above notes, di- rectly or indirectly? I dislike to refer publicly to ew acts, but I know of no other way of calling attention to them. the frigate Wabash, bearing the blue flag of Commo. dore 8. F. Dupont, came into port to-night from the South, accompanied by the Seminole, Commander Gillis, and the pilot boat Blunt. A new pontoon train of novel constr; here, and i# now in Beaufort, wher series of experi. ments will be made to test the value of the train, The train has been placed in charge of Company H, Volunteer Engineers, Captain Cruso, The officers of the company a First Lieutenant, F. P, Butt; dwin. T will endeavor to be rt results, Hisrow Hea, March 28, 1862. The Contraband at Hilton Head—Kecape of Five Negroes from Churleston—Their Statements, dt To-day, in company with Lioutenant Van Brunt, of (ue om has arrived —Captain, —— Cruso 4 Lieutenant, J. $ present at the trial and Provost Marshal's departmont, I took a look through the nogro quarters. The buildings are quite extensive, and aro kept in admirable order, The contrabands appear to enjoy the change from hard masters to comparative lufury and indolence. 1 found among thom five contrabands who escaped from Charleston on the night of the 25th, arriving here yesterday. They came out ina primitive looking dug- out, passing under the guns of forts Sumter, Moultrie and Castle Pinckney without molestation, arriving on board the steamer Florida, which is doing blockading duty at this point, from whence they were transported to this piace. From one of the negroes, who appeared to be of greater intelligence than is usually found among this class of humanity, I learned that there aro at presont some six hundred men in garrison at Fort Sumter, under command of Captain Calhoun, of Vir ginia, Captain Rhett and Major Wayne. Among the names of some of the other officers the nogroes knew wore Lioutenant Henry Sutton, Lieutenant Tompkins, Lieutenant Battol, &c, At Moultrie there were three hundred men, and at Castle Pinckney there was one com- pany of eighty men, under command of Captain Kats, formerty of the United States Army. The negro 1 got the greatest part of my information from was named Thomas Barnwoll, and he formerly belonged to Charies Scaniin, of the Ordnance Dopartment. He was in this place at the bombardment, and gives a graphic description of the run- ning away of the rebels. Ho tells me ‘hat Charles. ton is. well intrenched in the rear, the rebols antici- _pating an attack from the main land, and that there are some thirty thousand troops in and around the city- Negroes, however, have but little knowledge ofnumbers, and their stories should be taken with grains of allow. ance. Nevevertheless,1 think from the conversation I had with “Tom,” and his genoral intolligenco, that he is pretty correct. He gives some other informa- tion that it will not do for me to make public; but suffice it to say that the chivalry of South Carolina are evidentiy in @ bad way,and are not acting as harmoniously as they did a year ago. The reverses they have received of late have greatly dampenod their ardor and enthusiasm. “Tom’’ heard his master and others talking of the Newbern affair, and says thero were some thousands of rebels killed there. Vessels continue to run the block” ade at Charleston, a steamer from Engiand, with arms 9nd ammunition, arriving there on the 10th. Escape of Two Rebel Deserters from Fort Pulaski. OUR PORT ROYAL CORRESPONDENCE. Port Rorat, March 25, 1862. ‘Their Statements—Strength of Fort Pulaski—How It ts Provisioned—A Savannah Infernal Machine—General Hunter Expected, dc. , é¢. A couple of deserters escaped from Fort Pulaski on the 19th inst., and reported themselves to our forces on Jones’ Island, in the Savannah river, about four miles above the fort. ‘They roport that, being considered perfectly sound on the secesh question, they obtained permission to go fish- ing. They got into the boat and pulled a short distance from the fort, and then put their oars in the boat and commenced fishing, the tide at that time running flood» or up the river. They allowed the boat to drift quietly up with the tide until they got, as they thought, far enough from the fort to enable them to make their es- “cape before they were discovered and fired at, when they seized their oars and pulled for liberty. Brown and Cleoman are the names of the two men. They are both Germans. They report Colonel Olmstead as commander of th® fort. ‘The garrison cousists of three hundrod and sixty- eight persons, all told. There is a German company andan Trish company , whose term of serviceor enlistment éxpired in January, They are very anxious to be discharged and allowed to go home, but they are kept there by force, consequently are much disaffected; in fact, they give it as their opinion that there are not fifty men in the fort that are really loyal at heart for the rebel cause. The fort contains provisions and water for six months. Their communication with Savannah is effectuaily cut off. ‘They give the following as the calibre of the fort, viz:— Four ten-inch columbiads, four twelve-inch mortars, two on the ramparts and two on the ground in front of the fort, two rifled twelve-pounders, and one rifled eight- ponnder, the baiance of the guns are thirty-twos and forty-twos, Total number of guns fifty-seven. ‘The magazino of <he fort contains fifty thousand pounds of powder, besides sixty rounds for each gun. They report that among the cargo brought by the yeeded in running the blockade some months since—was five hundred and sixty infernal ma- chines, for destroying vessels. This is a specimen of the friendly feeling of Rngland for the United States. Let our people remember this. Fearing that you had not been informod about the am. phibious machine building at Savannah for the purpose of raising the blockade, I will say a few words about it. We learned by a deserter who came in from Savannah afew days ago, that ® machine, or submerged vessel, to be propelled by two mea, was uvsrly ready at Savannah, by which infernal machines were to be screwed to the bot- toms of ships for their de<iroction; but the inventor was killed, or rather drowned, while experimenting with it. There is nothing of particular interest bere to write about. The news that General Hunter is coming here to take command appears to give general satisfaction. The ditch-digging propensity of tho present commanding general, instead of making good soldiers out of bis men by proper drilling and training, has been anything but agroeable or useful. ‘The idea of immense fortifications to guard against a Jand attack by the rebels on an island like this, when the rebels haye not the means of reaching it, particularly while 0 many of Com. Dupont’s gunboats are about here, exhibits a prudence and caution that I could never have realized had I not seen it with my own eyes. We all say welcome, General Hunter. 1 saw an officer of the Kensington on shore to-day, and from what he says about the condition of their engine and rudder arrangements, together with tho fact that she had not coal enough to reach Ship Island, (her desti- nation,) it is evident somo one in the Boston Navy Yard is very much to blame for negloct of duty, and the Navy Department should inquire into it. She is now detained here for coal; and, from what I can learn, the blockade wi! soon be raised for want of that very necessary artic ‘The steamer Sachem arrived here to-day, bound South; also the storeship Reiesse. On the night of the 2st inst. a seaman of the Susque hanna, named George W. Collins, of Kent county, Dela- ware, was shot while on pickét duty on Jones’ Island, by ‘one of Goneral Viele’s pickets, supposing him to bea rebel. Carelessness onthe part of some of the officers, in not passing the word along the line, is tho cause of the accident. Marcu, 26, 1862. Arrival of the Crew of the Emily St. Pierre--Escaped Con- trabands—he Rebel Troops, de: Thave just had a chat with an officer of the Flambeau, and learned she {8 just from Charleston, having on board the crew of the ship Emily Pierre, captured off Charleston a few days since by the Angusta, She is from Calcutta, and loaded with sacking, or bagging, for cotton boles, Her papers, and other circumstances connected with her, will make it very easy for the courts to con- demn her. ‘The Flambean has on board several contrabands that escaped from Charleston yesterday, one of which is a young woman, They give the following information, viz.—That on the 10th inst. the iron steamer Commerce, from England, succeeded in running the blockade, and arrived in Charleston, Her cargo consisted of blankets, shoos, boots, cloths and munitions of war, On the 19th some other vessel, whove name | forget, arrived at Charleston from the West Indies. On the 23d the steamer Cahawba, from England, also a pilot boat, from ‘Nusean, arrived,and they are locking daily for the arri- valof the Bermuda, All these vessels are loading with cotton; also the ship Mackinaw and @ bark, The two latter are ready, with their topgallant yards across, and will pop out some dark or stormy night and go on their way rejoicing. It strikes me, from what I can learn from navy officers that I have talked with on the subject, that our steamers lay too far off from the en- trance to the various chanels, and that upon the slight. appearance of a little wind they fancy a severe gale is coming on,and they put to sea and get too far off. Therefore, the rascals have a chance to getout and leave. They ate endeavoring to build an iron-plated steamer in Charleston. Concerts, fairs and various other means, Hesides begging even of tho slaves to raise money to enable them to accomplish the work, are being resorted to. ‘They sey then they can raise the blockade; but there neod bo no fears of that, aa the only ship the rebels have isthe Merrimae which can contend succosstully with wooden navy built steamers, nor can they build any within the next twelve months the rebel papers sey that twelve men were killod on Caen cc the Merrimac, and that she was sent back in a sinking condition. Thore is a large force at Georgetown, thoy fearing an attack from that quarter; also troops betweon ‘Savannah and Charleston, on the line of the railroad. Charleston has two lines of intrenchments around it, between the Ashley and Cooper rivers— one five miles out, the other two miles from the etty. James Island has a large force on it with considerable earthworks. ‘The only armed vessels in Charieston consist of two small steamtugs. Two companies of North Carolina trocps arrived in Charleston the other day, and, being hungry, made for the bakers’ shops. They presented North Carolina shinplasters which would not be received- The soldiers kept the bread, and a row was the cons9" quence. The next day the troops were sent back to their own State. Provisions are frightfully high priced. Tea four dollars @ pound, coffee three dollars, matches one cent apiece, and other things in proportion. The people are ail ready to leave the city in case of an attack; and some even go so far as to say, that if it was not for being laughed at, they would be willing te give up the city, or, in other words, lay down their arms A fight took place in Fort Moultrie between two officers, growing out of @ difference of opinion as to whether the Hessians could take Charleston or not. One said it eould not be done, while the other asserted that before long we would have Charleston and Savannah both. ‘Tho bark Hagoltine arrived here yesterday, with go- vornment stores, from Boston. Deaths in General Sherman’s Corps. “Mhe following is an official list of deaths in this com- mand since the departure of this expeditionary corps regrenrstel Meee \MPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS. Niles Amasa, private, Oo, G, Hilton Hoad,3.., Nov. 9, 1861, congestive fever. "Barteles Jacob, private, Co. H, Nov. 11, 1861, typhus fever. t Sager Z. S., corporal, Co, F, Nov. 22,1861, congestive fever. Sanborn A. F,, private, Co. G, Noy. 27,1861, conges- tive fever. pone A., corporal, Co, G, Nov. 29, 1861, pulmonary is Clement Jno. H., private, Co.G, Des. 8 Pars epilepsy. Jordan Lewis B, private, Co. K., Dec. 6, 1861, conges- gestive foyer. ‘Hazlet n Jno. L., musician, Co. G, Dec. 9, 1861, con- gestive fever. Palmor Robert F.,private, Co E, Jan. 4,182. oy og P., private, Co. A, Jan. 6, 1862, pnou- monia. Hammond L. D., private, Co.I, Jan. 29, 1862, conges- tivo fever. Colby D. F., private, Co. A, Feb. 11, 1862, pneumonia. Bartlett Stephen. Co. E, Feb. 16. 1862, typhoid fever. reek Alfred, private, Co. E, Feb. 16, 1862, typhoid ver. Dorr Jonathan, first surgeon, Co. D, Feb. 21,1862, ty> Phoid fever. Leavitt W.B., private, Co. B, Feb. 18, 1862, apoplexy. RIGHTH MAINE VOLUNTFRRS. Briggs Philip H., private, Co.C, Hilton Head, Nov. 10, 1861, varola, ginband Ge. ., private, Co. F, Nov. 17, 1861, laryn- tis. ‘Trafton Hiram M., private, Co. F, Nov. 14, 1861, con- gestive fever, Philbrook Jas. B., private, Co. D, Nov. 26, 1861, pneu- monia. Frazier Chas. , private, Co. G, Nov. 26,1861 pneumonia, Huntoon Fred’. » Private, Co. E, Dec. 23, 1861, typhoid fever. Charles, band, Dec. 24, 1861, Rar sigan Ploroe John H., private, Co. E, ‘Lec. 24, 1861, Richardson J. A., private, Co. A, Jan.4, ei i gibasrte , Co. H, Jan. 6, 1862, cholera mor: ry Co. H, Jan. 6, 1862, cholera morbus. fuse wise ; Private, Co, I, Jan. 22,1862, diptheria, wet ips Goorge, private, Co. G, Fob. 8, 1862, oroug * avtin Ori, private, Co. H, Feb. 12, 1962, pulmonary renibbits Warren C., private, Co. D, Feb. 22,1862, typhoie Ae. oats Jonathan, private, Co, G, March 7, 1863, chronic hepat. FIRTIRTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS. ‘Viiot Jasper, private, Co, I, at sea, Nov. 2, 1861, ty: fever. Scriven Edwin, private, Co. G, at sea, Nov. 6, 1861, re- mittent fover. Walters John, private, Co. F, Fort Monroe, Nov. 8, 1861. typhoid fever. ‘McMahan Michael, First Lieutenant, Co. G, Hilton Head Nov. 19, 1861, pneumonia. d UL Elijah C, private, Co. I, Nov. 21, 1861, typhoid ieee Lewis Francell, private, Co. D, Beaufort, Dec. 19, 1862, Poeumonia. PORTY-FIFTH” VANUA VOLUNTEERS. Kitiner Joba W., private, Co. D, Jan, 5, 1882, typhole ‘Dosingloboger Jno., private, Co. K, Dec. 17, 1861, om i Carroll Alonzo, private,Co.B, Dee. 31,1861, typhoid McCollins Bright, private, Co. H, Jan. 12, 1862, typhoie whtay Lewis, private, Co. F, Jan. 2,1862, typhoid pneu. "i Geo. private, Co, H, Feb. 4, 1862, typhoid pneu- i maiiekle Goo. E., private, Co. G, Feb. 18, 1862, typhoia fever. Rainbow E. F.comporals Se K, Otter Island, March 13 1862, gunshot wound. Seger. A., sergeant, Co. K,'March 13, 1862, gunshot wo md. Raghart Wm., private, Co. K, March 13, 1862, gunshot wound. FOURTH NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS, Patterson Jos. W., private, Co, B, at sea, Oct. 22, 1861, congestive fover. hoy-1 Aah corporal, Co. H, Oct. 31, 1861, conges. tive fever. Shearer Wm. » Private, Co. K, Nov. 5, congestive fever, Seaver Charles L., private, Co. C, Hilton » Nov. 25, pneumonia. en James M., private, Co.G, Nov. 25, congestive ver. Stevens Chartes, private, Co. P, Nov. 25, ossification cordiac valvules. Johnson ‘Andrew, private, Co. H, Dec. 4, congestive fever. Dalton Edward, private, Co. K, Dec. 5, congestive fever Place Josiah S., private, Co. D, Dec.6, 1861, congestive fever. helling Geo. F., private, Co. B, Dec. 12, 1861, con gestive tever. Brown Thos., private, Co. A, Dec. 12, 1861, congestive ver. Smith J. P., private, Co. E, Dec. 30, 1861, congestive fever. pot J. H., private, Co. F, Jan. 1, 1862, gunshot wound. be Gage Geo, F., private, Co. A, Jan. 2, 1862, congestive lever. Ober Henry, private, Co. C, Dec. 7, 1861, congestive fever. Holbrcok Robert, Co. A, Jan. 15, 1862, congestive fever. Board Samuel, private, Co. A, Jan, 24, 1862, laryn Pe Ki James, private,Co. A, Feb. 26, 1862, congestive fever. private, Co. D, Feb. 1, 1862, laryngitis. Hartford Geo. E, private, Co. A, Feb. 2, 1862..conges tive fever, McCondirie Geo. H., private, Co. K, Fob. 7, 1862, con. gestive fever. Evans Geo., private, Co. K, March 1, 1862, phthisis pulmonary. Kimball Joseph, private, Co..D, at sea Uct. 25, 1861, congestive fever. Katon Edward R. private, Co. B, Oct. 30, 1861; conges. tive fever. Bodge John A., private, Co. C, Nov. 4, 1861, pneumonia. « Grand Silas, private, Co. G, Hilton Head Nov. 913, 1861, feagaative fever. Stevens, Roscoe G., private, Co. F, Nov. 15, 1861, con gestive fever. French Newman, private, Co. K, Nov. 20, 1861, remit- ting fever. roctor Lucius L., private. Co. F, Nov. 18, 1861, bron- chiti Nash Albert, private, Co. Mate gy ra 1861, bronchitis pen Ira B., private, Co. G, Dec. 4, ‘1361 . “congestive oroliand C. L., private, Co, F, Dec, 3, 1861, bronchitis. Brown J. F., private ,Co. 6, ‘Dec. 5; 1861, congestive ‘er 7hitman®. 8., private, Co. B, Dec. 14, 1861, typhole fovfendall Caleb, private, Co, F, Dec. 15, 1801, pnew M Robinson Bradford, privato, Co. D, Dec. 15, 1861, orde ma glottidis. an Isaac, private, Co. D, Dec. 18, 1861, typhois Vieurey John M., private, Co. K, Dec. 19, 1861, pnew monia. Moore Roscoe W., private, Co. G, Dec. 25,1861, typholr fever ‘bee Elisha, corporal, Co. F, Jan. 15, 1862, typhois fe Roberts George, private, Co. E, Jan. 18, 1862, typhoie fever. Huntress Alfred, private, Co. B, Jan. 21, 1862, diar rhe wi Melvin F., private, Co. F, Jan. 24, 1862, conges tive othe Edward, private, Co. E, Feb. 3, 1862, typhoie ‘Yoliowa Jobn C., private,Co, K, Feb. 6, 1862, typhois fever. Waikor Frank, band, Feb. 20, 1862, typhoid fever. Androws J,, lieutenant, Go. K, Feb. 17, 1862, fever re mittens. Maguire Geo, E., private, Co. G, Feb. 21, 1862, feve. Femitteus. Giles E. 0. ional ‘mich cl thas, F., private, Co. H, March 3, 1862, phthisi: pulmonary. Danton Oliver C., private, Go. D, March 3, 1862, ty phoid fever. THIRD RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS, Warden Wm. H., private, Co. C, at soa, Nov. 1, 1868 epilepsy. Turnbull Thomas W., private, Co. ©., Nov. 4, 1861 dysentery. Warfield Henty Ff., private, Co. C, Fort Hamilton, Oot 8, 1861, iajn rod removing gun carriage Munroe Charles H1., private, Co. E, Fort Welles, Dec. 90 1861, disease of heart, Ketchum Alfre!s,, private, Co. K, ola, Hortsin Kawin R. af. private, ., private, Co.1, Feb. 22, 1862, phthisis pul Jan. 10, 1862, rabi Co, A, dau, 17, 1862, 0