The New York Herald Newspaper, February 12, 1863, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. ee WHOLE NO, 9647. IMPORTANT FROM VICKSBURG. Return of the Union Ram Queen of the West from Her Run Bown the Mississippi. SPLENDID SUCCESS OF THE DASK Meteresting Details of the Running @f the Bleckade. Bmashing of the Rebel Gun- boat Vicksburg. | Three Rebel Steamers Loaded with Provisions Destroyed. Zhe Fire Drawn from the Port Hud- son Batteries by the Ram. The Pluck of Colonel Etlet, of the Ram Fleet, &lry _ he, &e. Cmcaco, Fed. 11, 1863. A eperial despatch from Cairo to-day says that news bas been received from Vicksburg to Suturday, 7th inst. The ram Queen of the West has returned from below. Ber trip down the river was most succeseful. She met MBree steamers with provisions for the rebels at Vicks- ‘burg, and succeeded in sinking them. She took fifty-eix prigoners, one of wom was 2 eolonc}, The Queen of the West went near enough to Port Hud. een to draw fire from their upper batiery. Camo, 1, Feb. 11, 1863. Vickeborg letters say the brilliant achievement of the Queen runnwg the gauntlet of the rebel vatteries bas ad amost beneficia! eifect on the spirits of our troops wefore Vicksburg. A correspondent of the Jackson Appeal says, that it is possible Genera) Grant will make the canal a success, end suggests that Grand Gulf, Port Gibson and othor Points between Vicksburg and Port Hudson be fortified. Col. Hilevs Official Report to Admiral Perte: Acting Rear Admiral Porter, in terms of commendation, commaricates to the Navy Department the report of Col. EMet, commanding the United States steam ram Queen of the West, civing an acoount of ber passage of the bauwerics at Vicksburg. The following is the report: Cirep States Straw Ram Qvren oF THe Weer, Brtow Vickserre, Feb. 2, 1863. ApMm.1—Ip compliance with your instructions, T started on the ‘Queen of the Weet at haif-pagt four o'clock wie morning, to pass the robe} batteries at Vick»bur, ead sink the rebel steamer lying before that city. diecovered immediately on starting that the change of the wheel from its former povition io the purrow space behind the Queen’s bulwarks did not permit the ‘boat to be handled with sufficient accuracy. An bour or R would be inclined to the blow would thus be had crowded on the i. ‘most affrighted manner from the y in the elty. The ram still went to the execution of ber destructive errand, the rebel steamboat forward.of the whecl- it a6 mes 3 zg fiouse; but at the moment of collision the current caught ‘the stern of the ram and swung her round so rapidly that nearly ali the momentum of ‘blow was lost. To set the rebel steamboat on fire part of the serenpennent, ‘That portion of the ‘was entrusted to Sergeant J. HL Canepa ‘He was directed to fire the forward guns loaded wit Just the rebel batteries came into the barricade of cottun near him; but the brave it did not hesitate exegution of the ord The guns were fired, a tremendous biaze was vomited forth from them, and the rebel steamboat was in flames. About the same time the ram was found to be on fire. A shell from shore had set her on fire near the starboard of the with the combus- steamboat did all they could do to extinguish the fames on their boat. ‘This thoy soon accomplished. Colonel Edlet had intended to strike the rebel steamboat in the stern, und thus flaish the work of demolition; but the feltete likely that it wiil succeed in its mission, Of the West made it neces- | Providence is the largest town between Vickesiar ae spreading flames on the sary for bim to attend to the safety of his own vesrel. He therefore ran down stream , and set all hands on board at work extinguishing the flames. Though the cotton bad ‘deen wet before starting, the fire was extending rapidiv, and several burning bales were thrown overboard in order to save the ram, She then anchored below the mouth of the canal, whero, according to the Adiniral’s in- structions, she awaited further orders. All this time, both when approaching the city aod teaving it, the rebel batteries were blizing away at the Queen of the West with light and heavy gupe. Some of our guns on shore replied to them. When the ram was near the Mississippi shore geveral regiments of rebels ‘opened on her with musketry trom rifle pits on the bank, And, as opporpunity offered. the guns planted jn the sircet« Of Vicksburg'o as to rake the river fired on ber algo, UW was a very exciting scene, About one hundred and twenty shots were fired from the batteries; but the ram was siruck only twelve times, and sustained no injury from the musketry. She wasstruck twice in the hull the water live, the cabin was considerably biecmotah and one casemated gun was dismounted end de. streyed. Ths the Qreen of the West ran the blockade of 2. borg by daylight, damaged the rebel steamboat opposite the city,and she nerself sustained no materia! injory. the rebels endeavored to get steam up on board the City of Vicksburg; bat, although she wos not suck, appearances indicate that she has been damaged seriously, When she was struck somo of her upper works Came tumbling on the bow.of the Queen of the West. ‘The exploit was well ordered and admirab! Coloue! Met is a dashing ofieer and a davr Creat credit is due to all the officers concerned terprise. During the morning the ram took on board the re. mainder of her crew, ana, having received further orde from the Adinival, preceeded down the river. Jt! ble that she will destroy any rebel steamboats Uh be below. and that she will keep on until she rea Port Hudso The rebe Dusily engaed tn strength their fortifications at Vicksburg. 4 long tram oF care arr) at the depo. yesierday a!iernoop, amid tremende rr ing. The rebels were evidently receiving reiniorcoments. exeonted. maa. he en Another Account. Ly Sieur or Viekspers, Fe. 2, 1865. Ranning the Hlorka'e—Its Importance! te Revels Preparations—Ram Queen of the West Under Way—Passiiy the Batleries—Sirikingu Kibet Boat—he- sul! of the Biow—lipject of the Rebel ho'—sA nchoring Out of Kange— Botierics Belou—Kffect of the Baylvit Upon Our Men—Mocemnent of Troope—Appavane of Vicksburg, de. At last, after days of waiting, we have an event of im | portance, A boat has suecceded im passing the batteries | at Vicksburg—an achievement not undertsken since the on July of last year, What port of our plan thie © was designed to aid doo not yet appear; but it is likely to afford us much assistance in the cspture of Vicksburg, and especially in eutting off supplies from the mROe rearr ratns, an’ hi Se tasiiy tended une point’ aes ano had rivet and’ ney | western portion of the eatvederacy. ‘The rebele have which would have resulted (rom the darkness gome fifteen or twenty boats that have for seve- was jost to us. mooths been The rebels opened a haavy fire upon us as we reached | Tal 3 livin acoso es Seretadharcalus coh the city, but we were only etruck three times before river to Vicksburg, trausporting supplies to the reaching the steamer. She was lying in nearly the seme — jatter point. Even since our ocenpation of the porition that the Arkaneas cecupied when Generali Pilet ran the Queen into her on a ‘ormer oce sion. ‘the seme canses which prevented the destruction of the Ark eas then saved the City of Vicksburg this morping. Her position was such that if we had run obliquely into z have glanced, We were compelled to partially {0 in order to strike. The consequeuce was that ut it at this wt—canht the stern of my boat, and, pon her asa pivot, swung ber round so rapidly ‘nearly a hor momentum was lost. | had antici- this, and therefore caused the board bow to be shotted with three of the incendiary tiles recommended in your orders. As we swung apound Sergeant J. H. Campbell, detailed for (be purpose, Qred this gun. A sixty-four pound sholl cru lind th ough the barricade jnst before he reached ibe spot, but be did mot hesitate. The discharge took place at ox tight moment, and set the rebel steamer in flumer, which they subseqeutly succeeded in exting u At this moment ove of the enemy's ebe' the starboa:d wheel om fire, while the discharge of oar own gun ignited that portion which was on the cow. ‘Tho fames.spread rapidly, and the dense smoke rolling inte the engive room suffocated the engineers. | saw that if I attempted to‘run into the city of Vicksburg again that my boat would certainiy be burned. I ordered Der to be headed down stream, aud orde'ed every man wo extingui the dames. After much exertion we ‘Gnally put the out by cutting (be buruing bales loose. ‘he enemy of course were not idie. We were struck twelve tines, and though the cabin door was knocked to Pieces, no material injury to the boat or to any of those en board was inflicted. About two-regiments of rebel @barpabooters, in rifle pits, kept up @conticual fire, bnt ‘The Queen was struck twice in the hull, line. One of our guns was dis- 4 y E mH wy woe in the highest temus of the conduct of won'bosrd, ail behaved with cool, Goveriaiied remain, very respectfully, CHARLES RIVERS ELL Commanding Rain Fieet ~ D. Ponrmm, Acting Rear Admiral, commanding Missiseipplaquadron, Our Naval Correspondence. Mwsqemer River, Near Vicasounc, Feb. 2, 1803. ‘A very exciting scene was witvessed here this morn. fag. The Unien ram Queen of the West, (aptain ® W. ‘Sutherland, ran the blockade of the rebel batteries at Vicksburg. Colenel Charles R. Ellet, commander of the ram fleet, was on board of ber and directed all her movements. The event has crested great exvite- ment in this vicinity. When the rebels saw the ram rua toto the rebel steamer, near the city, and then pass down the river uninjured, they were not jess astonished than ebagrined, because it wan believed, by them at least, ‘that 00 Union steam)oat could safely pass their formida- ble batteries. The following is a partial fst of the officers on board the ram:—Colone! Charles R. Ellet, in command, FW Satberiaod, captain; J. &. Turbill, Gret lietenant. tos Edivon, master; J.C. Danean, master; Reubeu Towneend, engineer. ‘The Queen of the West had been previously provided ‘with all the arrangements deomed necessary to tueure the complete success of the dangvrous undertaking Thive hundred balsa of cotton had bio proce further ap the fiver apd placed on board, particularly about the machinery, i@ order to save her from any serious tajury by abot and shell (rom the rebel batteries Rear Admiral Porter bad given orders ‘hut she should proceed down to Vicksburg, destroy the rebol steambost City Of Vicksburg, lying opposite the city, snd then run past the lowor rebol batteries, The Wolonel was directed WEP close to tho right dank going down, to have all BLY hte on board extingnished—aw it was intonded that she souk! run the gauntles in the darkaoss—and, having sfely passed the batteries. to anchorbelow the moth of the canal and there wait for further orders The Colonel started wilh the ram from above the bend At aif part four v'clock thin morning. Soon after gotting under weigh he ‘iscovored that the change made i the ition of the wheei—whteh wae removed (rot its fornger caition to a Larrow place heluind the bulwarke—rendored almost impossibie to Bloer the boat with sufficient ac e@wacy. Conseyuently an hour waa spent tn effeeting te necessary alterations. It was about six o'clock, just um the sun Was riswg, Wheu the (am rounded the polut of Tend lying oppose Vicksburg. She had oniy men enough en board to work her, 1 having bem arranyed that the remainder of the crew would crows the point + on board of hor below after she bat pa ig the point rhe we j eral of their battertex, the bios ahout the city, Th the rivor lowly and etond ti, y re trom thane whe f nt Opporite the steamboat City Vieksburg wos Eilet says that Ateambont wag Tying fn almoet (he fame position as was the rebel ram Arkansas when be ran ‘oto her with thet same Queen of he Weat. Iv tiv eombout should | av the rem won runntg down the river. tke prow. im ras we came down the bow of the Queen would inevi- | ‘vory momeut of collision, the current—very rapid and | shore of the Mississippi veveral boats suecocded in going to Vicksbarg and returning below, though at considerable { risk of injury from our Parrott guns. Since we succeeded in cutting off their approach to Vicksburg the same boats | have been running toa poiwt a few miles below W. ton, thus giving (he rebels the benefit of the resource the rich region of Western Louisiana and Texas. The appearance emong their trapepofts of an armed rain will prove a serious blow to the rebe 1 Jearn on- offciatly that the boat which has run the blockade is to de-cond the river as far as Port Hudson, and destroy everything that sbe finds ov the way. If possible, «he wiil communicate with General Banks, at least such is tbe coujecture of oussiders. {am told by an officer of the five! that it is designed that one or two other armed boat shail run the bleckade to night if possible. At all events they will pass down before this jetter cau reach you. dave extensive preparations have beeu the ram Qneeu of the West below Vicks burg. preparations were completed two days ago, and hight Devore last was appoluted for the undertaking Four hundred and fifty bales of cotton aud bay were piled | aronnd the guards of the Queen of the West, and no eort Spared to make her protections as perfect as possible. Her crew was trausferred for the time to unother boat and volunteers called for tw take her below, Colonel | Ellet, of the ram tieet, commanded in person, Captain Sutherland, captain of the Queen of the West, together with the pilots aod eugiveers, at once came forward aud expressed their willingness to make the attempt. Un- fortnmately the night was foggy, and the expedition was postponed. A little before day break this morning the Queen of the West started irom her moorings, and steamed down the river, Ag she rounded the bend above of struck ouly mn doven times during the entire . Moving so rapidly through the water, it wus dificult for the quoners to get her range. Had she halted for a mowont whem in range of these heavy guns there is little doubt that she would bave been rxidied. ‘ibe steamer City of Vicksburg has been tying at the | landing of Uke town for several days, undergoms oe tain | alterations to Mt her for vee ssa ram or gunboat. The rebe's base been atrengthen\ug her bow and covering her volngrabie parts with plates, and, as she is known to be one cf the fastest aud most powerful boats on ube river, fhe might be an iacouvenient customer wo have on the water. A pert of the pran om running a ram velow wasto have ber strike the City of Vicksbarg, wud #iuk ber if pos- sible As (ie Queen neared (he City of Vieksberg the batteries above aud below siackeued their fire through (ear of eu danyeriog their own boat, ‘The Queen was running rapid. Jy, and a8 sue approacbed the rebel boat ehe turned snd- denly ond etruck her ust (oPWward of The engines. The cotton was piled high around the bow of the Queen, #0 Unt the exact reeuit of (he blow could uot be observed. The oificess of the (Queen are camfdent that they did the bout much domaye. ‘The ovtton om the bow of the Queen euconntered the guards of the City of Vick»burg bevore the prow reached the hull of the latter boat The capstan sod nearly everything on the bow of the Que were swept away, and ber cot Was set on fire. AX the same time the Queen Uirew tur pentine Wal places tingy ling the dame d the men on the Queen like * tou fad employ maut in putting ont their own ire. vow of the Queen penetrated the cwkbouse of the Vicksburg, andat firet Colouel Kiet fearee that be would be onable (0 back out. The current, however, was very strony. aud 4 few minutes afterwards (he stern of the wong around aud liberated her (rom the Vicka- Coonel Filet then steamed ent into tue river wud toairike tbe Viecsbarg a second Ute. ‘he ttre ‘ aud as soversd balis Siruck Lhe Queen at that time Coleuel flict etheorder to move down the stream. He ewung y around and headed below, fnaing bie boat peur he of the proposed canui arose the peninsula. nemy's heavy shot etrack « gum n, making ao indentation ax large as the tronnion, and creaking the Thence t klauced upward, borg prey #, passiog of in the direction of the Louiriana glore. Aton poond pereostion shell entered the side ot the | Cali, paxeing through and demolishing one of the lar- Board state roons. Theuce it rossed the exbia, ateik Captuk) Sutherland's 0 og room, directiy at the’ baad of the bed. After npeurnin 5 matlere geverally 4 0 the bed without ex. ploding, One #lv ho bost above (he water line, stil ‘ire length of the | main deck without doing rerrene ¢ Nota mason board uM a received a singh atch. Colonel Viet wae in high feather of th « reeult of hie half 4 f to renew tne ‘o anchor at the mouth of | « are time © all ow bowed One bre teen ts wore fred at the } fers than forty minutes, ding to the count kept by these stacding on the | shore oppesite Vicksburg. It was threejuarters of an 1 the time the Queen came within range of the until he emerged from the fire of we lower batteclet Moat of the Gring was at short range, and tue fact thn! Only twelve shots Out Of one Neondred end weren teon atrack ber i# probably due to the rapiity of Ler motte. * jumt from the pepineula, opporite the town, re port the Vicke burg slightly careened and working ho descent of Admiral Farragat’s fleetin the latwer part of | J NEW YORK, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1863. donkey engines to keep her from sinking. From thie boat we can see that she has steam up from some canse, and that she has slightly changed her position. It is possible that the rebels wl succeed in stopping the leak. ‘The Queen.of the West is the same boat that in July Jast attempted the destruction of the Arkansas ag she lay at the Vicksburg landing. To the ram fleet we are much indebted for our success on the Mississippi; and at all events ivvhas heen foremost in the performance of dar- tng gxpiolts. Colona! let as another expedition in contemplation that, if a ted and successful, will be one of the moat brilliant of the war. Should the Queen of the West attempt to pass in the Airectian of Port Hudson she win find Vablerien at Wess rev! , Grand Gait lodney ez Sara. ‘Ail these will prove insiguideant. compared. with thoes ae she has just parsed at Vicksburg. At Warrenton batteries. Un the last occasion of her coming up twenty- three shots were fired at her, not one of which the mark. About two miles below tbe moath of canalis a bayou up which the De Soto is taken. She now undergoing alterations which may add to her import ance when on the river, The army and navy feb Petey arm age ign of Coen conduct it, 3 possible ® great cl made in the general situation of war matters in ibis Fe OD, ib” force of infantry and artillery was cent to Lake Providence, La., about fifty miles above here, on Satur- day last, to look after a body of rebelf in that quarter, Up w the time of writing nothing has been beard from it, Napoleon, and has the ‘reputation of being one hottest beds of secession in Louisiana. Our beats haye landed there on several occasions, and the natives had the good sense to conduct themselves with propriety. Vickxburg papers of yesterday morning have been re- ceived here. They contain nothing of importanee except jate Northern news received via Richmond. Tm regard to matters around Vicksburg they are exceedingly barren of information. From our position b movements in Viekr- burg and on the bili Almost constantly we can perceive locomotives with long trains of cars in tbe vicinity of the depot. What they are doing we are mpabie to ascertain. From the cupola of the Court House we can observe their signal flags in frequent motion, Ne rebel standard ie visible. When eball our banner float trlumphantly over Vicksburg ? INTERESTING FROM TEXAS. The Afair wt Galveston, ONLY EGET OF THE CREW OF THE HARWIET LANE KILLED. Bostox, Feb. 11,1803. Alotter from Captain Proctor, of Company G, Forty- second Massachusetts regiment, dated Howston, January 8,statee that hie company, together with Compony D, Captain Sherine, and Company I, faptain Savage, were captured at Galveston ov the Ist uitino aud conveyed to Monston. The killed and wounded are as folfows:— Company G—Killed—brank L. Nott, of Quincy, by @ shell, Woundeda—J, W. D. Parker, a ball in the arm, soveroiy: E. B. Dalby, inthe baud, severely: Geo. R. Day, bal in the arm, severely, Jas, W. Winal, contusion, alig Sergeant D. 1, Wentworta, ball in the Jeg, chuy: T 1, Sweetver, buckshot in the chin, mightly James L. Davis, by a splinter in the face; Jobn M. Bar nard, ball in the log, slightly. Many others had narrow eseap Lientenont T. H. | Newcombe had five bullet hows through bia coat, but es | anhurt, | Hleutenant N. Cowdin was wounded in the back, but | sijubtly ©, Shenesty was shot throngh both lags badly, and one of them had to be ampntated at the kuee —— Joeviyn was wounde! in the bead severely; PF. Meri) in the hand, severely; A. Kostey in the head, slightly; John Barnes: in the leg, slighty. Company T had pone killed or wounded Colone) Barril), Surgeon Comings and G. J. Sanger, | chaplain, were leo taken prisoners at the sume time. | Captain Proctor writes that he | ave well taken care of and very comfortsbie, nd hope +600 to be paroled and sent home. OFFICIAL REPORT OF ADMIRAL PARRSOUT RFI ATIVE TO THE CAPTURE OF THE BARBRIBT LANP, Fisonmie Hawrvonn, > Sin—! herew i cerning the defe conduct of the officer who accompanied the fag of tr id corroborated to Liewt. Commanding Law the enemy’ statement that all the officers and crew of the Harriet {aue hed perished, save some ten or fifteen persons. wherras there were scarcely that nomber of kiled and wonnded. 1 take it for canted that of th aig) Ny wounded the greater port amount ed to nothing. 8 that the testimony of the rebel pilot was very near the trath when he seid five killed and six or eight wounded. [cannot think bat that for the death of Commodore Wainwright and Lieutenant Commanding Lee the vessel would not have been captured. Tt ie aii! cult, however, to copeeive 4 inore pusiilanimens aurrend er of a vesvei to m enemy slready in Our power, thaw oc curred in the case of the Harriet Lane. Very respectfully , your obediegt servant, NaG. VARRAGUT, Rear Admiral, How. Giowon Writes, Secretary of the Navy THE HAMMUET LANE SITLL AT CALVESION, Uniren STATES STAM StOOr BRCOKIYN, Ove Gar Jan. 483, Bin—J am very contident that the Harrie! in Galveston waters «i 1941 nethivg drawing ov biy’er: seed the bar gunboats anchored ‘there withont bemg se the night was vory dark. Subsequently the slebough ace company ing the flags of truce tried to creste the impree sion that she was out, one of them saying 60 piainly. 1 don't believe it. This morning Lieutenant Michel re rted that he could see u square rigued vessel, suis ed from the maintopmast bead, which be tokes to he the Harriet Lane. fhe lies beyond the upper harbor, in the direction of Virginia Point, and war doubtiew: carried over the shoal waters by the rise during the heavy easterly weather. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. H. BELL, Commodore The Aff_nir ot Sabine Pass, Texas. OFFICIAL REPORT RELATIVE TO THE LOS# OF THE BARK MOKNING LIGHT AND SCHOONER VELOCTTY. Fiacsur Haxtrono, New Oniways Jau. 20, 186° Sim—| bave received despatches (rom Commodore Hell and Lievtenant Commander Read, on the coast of Tuxes, emract: aud a copy of which I herewith enelme, by which you with see that our disasters on that coust are uot ended, AS! had already anticipated it appears U enemy came out of Sabine Pass with two cotton fortified steumers on a certain morning, and ran out to sea sone twelve or fourteen miles where the Mormog Light was ‘The latter soon got under weigh: but. by the rebel ac covnts, and we have no other, they gave chane, soon cane op with ond captured her without losiag a tan ‘The saine course of non-resistance appears to haye been puraued by the officera and crew of that vessel as was porsued by those of the Werfeid and Harriet Lane. The sehconer Velocity was soon made also to sur. render apd was taken jnto port, | am very thank! that they did not get the gone of the Morning Jayht, ae it would have enabled them to erect # batory of ‘great strength io such a shallow pass, You will motice the guns of the Morning Light ware joaded, and went off when they became heated, be which cireumstince I judge the men did not even Dre’ their tust charge, bat surrendered without a strogy ie | Tat pleased to see by Commodore Bell's report that the Harriet Lono i# etiil tn Galveston harbor, although they bave tries 19 irypreme ua with the idea that abe bed run } out dior ¢ iaat gale, which is now koown not w be the case, our obedient servant | D. G. FARBAGUT, Roar Admiral To Cipw w Wenue, Secretary of the Navy. P hat the Morning Light was by A steamer coming up astern of her. 1) G. FARRAGUT, Rear Admiral. Lieut. Read, of the United States guuboat New fondon, in the deapateh referred to in Admiral Farragut's report, | states that he ordered, in company with the gunboat | Caraga, to proceed to Babine Pass to the teller of the Morning Ligbt, the Eacheb Seaman and Velocity, biock | Ading there, reported captured by the rebels. Ai 1u M., on the Zi of January, he discovered the Morning Light | A steamer was just leaving her, | former was discovered to be om fire, The Cayuga was ordered forward, but it was im powibie to save her. The fire war starved the after part of tbe ship. ‘The enemy towed in 4 few minutes the juto the pare, Four of her gine wer reed by at. three on the port side aud one « rhoord The latter had fallen into the bold, an! the abot coming oat joet above copper, one bout be at the time two of her phell exploded, The eu undoultedly retaoved the powder from the mage ho éxpioxien Look place except the eons and sh f the guns of | thought the enetny did mot get any } the sehoonere Rachael Seamon and Velonity, the tenant Road bas i had encayed. ‘The latter was captored with the Morning Light Arrest of m Notorious Cotton Barnere Camo, 1 Feb. 1 . he rebel he Arrested on Triday at Dis resitever, nene Rip! 4 Brought " bos yesterday In trowa. Cashman hoe burned ure ton, perhaps, than any other meu in the Ho tne acted throughont the imieaion fun rebe! government hie SeHlow prisouers | | aod set the Englieh colors ber in | feet water, perhaps with hope of getting her over the | THE CRUISE FOR THE PRIVATEERS. Gunboat Sonoma. : Sabine at this Pert. The United States Steamer Vanderbilt at Havana. ABSURD REPORT FROW PORT HUDSON, Bey hey he Chace of the Privateer Florida by the @ermboat Sonoma. ‘We loarn by the effeers who arrived at this port last evening in the prige bark Springbok, and belonging to the United States steamer Sonoma, that the Sonoma, when off the Bahamas, on the Ist inst., saw a steamer to the windward, lying to, and apparently waiting for her to come up. She proved to be the privateer Florida, and a8 f00D as Fhe made out what the Sonoma was she imme- | diately got under weigh and started off in all haste. ‘Be Sonoma kept after her, and chased her for thirty-eix hours, but, owing to the superior epeed of the Florida, she outran her. Arrival of the United States Friga' Sabine, ‘The United States frigate Sabine, Commodore Cadwala- der Kinggoli ¢ Ling, arrived at this port yesterday in forty-one days from Porto Praya, Cape de Verds. This Oue sh!p sailed from New London on the 3d of No vember Inst,on a cruise in search of the AlaDima or 290, After cruising several days in the vicinity of our coast she proceeded under shortened sail towards the Western Ivlands, experiencing very tempestuous weather November she lost one of her quarter boats, torn from the davits bya eea which swept over her. She arrived at Fayal on the 28th of November, and after wooing ad | watering ship, sailed thence on the 2 of December, | during a heavy southwest gal wsing around the velands shaped ber course for the Cape de Verde, runniug slowly lo the westward of Madeira and the Ca naries, in he tack of v els from Europe to the Vast | Indies and the south coast of the United States, and ar | rived at Porto Praya on the 284 of December ‘The steamer Mubican, Captain Glisson trad arrived at Porto Praya a few hours before the Sabine, frum Ber mde. Ov U | wator Cape de Verd from burope of Jaan word, ryt Subine, after op with ‘ot ouder weigh and cruised around the in Lhe track of vessels bound to and ou the 17th bore away for the eoost of Pravi!, thence along to the eastward of the West Ludies, Tunning Wo the siithwost and westward of Be. muda, tak fog a jiHot Of Harnoyat at Uhree P.M. On the 10. inst, ihe officers and crow are all well, The on!y misfortune met with during the eruise of one hundred days was ihe lors of a fine lad, James Laton, of English parentage a Liverpo boy, who f | gangwoy to the main chains at four o'clock on the torn | ing of the 17th of ary. The ship was hove to, the life | buoy dropped, a bout lowered, in wiheb Lientevant J. W. Kelley proceeded towards the spot where he was supposed tobe. Afier an hour spent in the mont diligent and care- fal seareh be retusued without having seen or heard of the un/ortunete boy. The “hip woe put about and further search made for an hour, but without success, The life buoy was recovered, and the abip pnt on ber course aya With the sad conviction that one of the tittle community had forever possed from their nvidst, The SoDine bas vot seen or hoara anything of the Ali bama or other Confederates eh she has spoken or boarded every vessel seen, She bas sled about ten and miles, and been at wea ninety two out of I days absence, Officers and crew (five bundred) one bu all well, isa Het of her officers — dwalader Ringgold Exveutive (fhice jobn W. Kelley. je, Wiliam K. Hathaway, Dudley B Taylor, ldward i. Hose: Acting Ew ign—b. Brown, Ir Lien!-vant of Marine—Wiliam 3. Remey Assistont Surgeon—JobuT Lek Paymonter's Clrk—Frank J Arms. Aviing Master's Mar—t&verets i, White, Henry M, Noe, be W. McKeever, James Courtney, James P Sturgis es A. Tboroe, Kobert F. Anson. Yuchard Rebiveou, ay Taree SrRaMOMIY VANDERULT, * Havama, | ' b. 4, 186 My ioet letter from Hampton Roads, of the 28eh wit , in Tormed you that we were bound to the fast Indjex via Rio de Janerio, but after our departure 4 proved to be & report circulated vy we 4 those wine, fur-scolng viduals, who, | Solomon in the play, have “just reliable information trom the highest authority > | whose authority, like Mr. Solomon's corresponden | Asia, Africa sud Amerion, geuerally prove a inyth. Ti | report arose |rom the fact of onr taking ov board four months’ stores and the vague rumor that the Alvbama had left the Atlantic for tue Chima Rey I ell inte the error om the p. ab what everybody say © must be true.” bet 1 am Pappy to tell you that we are after game Of (he same spores ia this place, whiou an ‘ike obtained the mrmt tut jpie bagged, will repay ua soinewhat for the disappointments we have New York endured ever «ince vor first departure (rou ly predicted we would fat. y eay that our failure to pr diction true i# vot owing to any want of « | Reverance, but to that bad luck which #0 the best eudeayors. 1 \rumt the dekie erased to pemeon ite tines pursuen me bas at lengih aud that we are now lout ng on that flood tide w hich leads to fortune. Our pareage to this place cooupied five days, namarked with any event of importance, On the 24h alt. we dix covered & ship standing to the southward, which, ona nearer spprouch, proved to be a steamer, On seeing us she kept sway aud made sall; wo immediately wemt to Qrarters sndgave chase, She wet the American eurign, and when we were within half a mile ehe hwule w 1 down Her peop and they had a boat munned. After all our viviona of « prize we found she was her Britanuic Majesty's Cadmus. that left Hunptom Roada a few days before ux Tam ot a ‘omg to account for ber renoing away and net ting the American ensign, as ber officers must certainly have known ua to be the Vanderbilt that lay within hai! © al quarters at Hampton Doads, unless it war a sample of Britiah wit to make the \ blasted Yankees" think they had « prise I have no doubt they laughed over their beer, aud thonght it bo jolly The Oreto left here about two works age neveral vonsels off Cardenat Spanish property. The Alaba into Kingston, Jematon, a short time aloes te fas Dot allowed to wtay there rw aml burned One of the veessis coutained ls reported to have put repairs, but © than twenty-four oder, A nehooner loaded with coum jer Heitwh colors, came ip yerterday just abend of us Thore are we Americ men-ofewar bere ot presen ‘ £4 pity that coms vorsol fy not etatiomed of this port to Wotercept the pumerous verale th ° tly arriv ng here from rebeldem, Tw re wh ne im toalay,, «ith the rebe fly ing. and they nied wit cotton end t " « able te etate vu vera! ¥ yor ama! ven y The Wrivarcer Plovita at Satene poesibie | nearly the whole passage. During a gale on the 7th | to suit the tastes of the | Carolina, bas arriy | | not made any few prizes since her operations off Car- denas. ‘There were no American war vessels at or near Nassau. privateer Florida, as a matter of course, was ro The The Florida Chased by the | ceived with mucn rejoicing by tho residents of Nassau on her arrival at that port, on thé 30th ult. Her com- mander, Captain Maffit, war very politely recetwed and entertained by the Governor, and all the repairs and sup- plies that sho needed were quickly furnished. Her Arrival of the United States Frigate Officers entertain the highest opinions of the sea-going qualities and spesd of their vessel, and laugh at our cruisers. They did not hesitate to say where they wero Dound—to the equator; but this is probably only a blind. Many vessels were expected at Nassau, among them the Nashville; bit avwhe is held in her present berth by the Passaic and Montauk, her arrival at Naesau will no doubt be much delayed. ‘The offieors and others attached to the Florida had no difficulty in using confederate money in Nassau. It was willingly received at par. The Florida sailed from Nas- ‘sau on the Slat ult., having obtained everything she ce. sired, and fully equipped for a long cruike. eo Rebels at the British West Indies. OUR HAVANA CORRESPONDENCE. Havana, Feb. 5, 1863. ‘The Florida loft Narsan a woek ago to-day, after having received coal, &c. She is reported to have made seven prizes off the coast of Cuba and one on the Bahama Banks. We have had several British vessels in oar port Lately — tho Galatea, Steady, Styx and Rinaldo, Areport was circulated hero that the Alabama had | boon sunk by the Tioga and Sonoma, off Kingston, from ehad Woen ordered to wea, owing to the protest of the officers of the Hatteras, who had been landed there. ‘The report was traced to its sonree, and it was Gnally denied, ‘That tho Alabama had gone into Kingston, with the oft of the Hatterse, was known here, and it wat so stated ia my last letter, Nothing was aid about the crew. The United States stoamer Vanderbilt left Havana on the evening of the 4th inst Arrived February 3, Bog from Matamoros, with cotton burden whieh pla sh schooner Anna, eight days Sho is ninety-eight tous The Improbable Story from Port Hudson. ‘The news we give above proves the absurdity of the following report irom Fort Hudsou, It no doubt arose from the sinking of the Hatteras, and has been magnified poople of the South:— Port Hunson, 14., Feb. 6, 1863. The United Statee sloop-of war Brookiyn was surk by the steamers Alabama, Florida and ilurriet Lane, the Brocklyn baving been sent m pursuit of the latter, Banrmonn, Feb 11, 1863. The Ams ican has received a Richmond paper, which coptoins the desnatcn from Pokt Hudson relative to the sloop of war Brooklyn, It embrices a string of reports said to have been received there by deserters, Among others, it iv raid that a report had reached Paton Rouge that the Brooklyn had Jboen sunk, as eared. It Js evi dently an unreliable rumor. Additional fro ORXEKAL POSTER'S PLEET—-TNK FI LINA NEGRO REOIMENT. Port Rovat, 8. C., Feb, 3, 1868, ‘The most of Major Geveral Foster's teat, from North here in a good condition The Firet Sonth Carolina negro regiment arrived ho yesterday from an expedition sixty miles op the St. Ma ry# river, Georyla, to the town of Woodsirck, which they buyned, after having repulged the ovemy in & gagement. Thoy also destroyed nome ex Port Koy SOUTH CARO- | overboard while going from the starboard | works ‘The regiment fought Hike veterans, and repalued supe rior pam bere Inter ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS OF THE APPATR, OF BA+ TURDAY LAST. Youcroww, Feb. 10, 1943. ‘The engagement on Siturday mght beyond Withams burg is differout from ibe firat report. Ow bons siderably lew are not pro Dienteaaot Jamer to bo prisowers, ba: vill be eon. ‘The woonds of Capt Pairth than need moral thirty. b and several others mide Meir omc aye. supposed Captain Hagermessher and Lieu'enant William on are undoub(edly in the bands of the enemy, as i# also the body of Lieutenaut Rhinemiller, who was probably killed A negro who camo in from Dewcor bridge, where General Wise bas his headquarvers, seyy the prisoners there are most of them wonnded. If the instructions of General Keyes thd been adhered to, this trap, evidently set by the rebels, would not have been entered Important ¢ Keconnois CAPTURE OF KEOKL FICKET!—NO ENKMY NORTH OF THK RAPPAHANSOOK—A KP BEL BROKEN UF, BrO., Bre. Sravronn Cover Hovar, Va diam Was jusk roweted Raprpria stat HENDEZVOUS Fob. 11, 1863 here from a reeea n. He loft Centre the morning ofthe dh, with the Filth New York cavalry, apd bivouscked at Bristow Station, ‘The pext morning Captain Penteld, with a eqaadron of the Fitth New York, wos ordered t» Warreuton to clean out the place of rebels The pew morning they *eized (he tele graph station at Warrenton Juaction, catting the wire thence to the aypabannock river. At Hik rom they at tacked sud pursued the rebel picket, capturing two of them, one of whom, Captain Randall, (ormerly @ captain © United teates Army (roa: 1812 10 1818, but bow a swacker sance ascurty\ued (hat the -tresme are eo high a# W be impassable, and that the roads are utterly LOCK impractionble for (nfaatry, ant ales that ao rebel forces are on this aide of the Kappsuaniock, except a soo party meveu beroud H 1 Churet. Toe wivance arged the rebel pickle, whe were mounted aud armed With ysket®, some Waving buyonein ou. They ed several horses Lieut, Col, Johow Capt. ( onger yesterday made sree Palanuook = whee howe the rebels turowing away their arms: + neco) é In comiannd. po (ot a man how, aud capt uarnad Calvin rebela hay 1 as a reudervour tn their © Calvin's hone A depot for queria tine A barge quantity of provianos and forage were @ 1a! there ading (wo bundied and Gfty buslels of cork and Wily barrels of meal, with w few arms and vente THE EUROPEAN STEAMERS Arrival of the Bohemian. Pouriann, Me, Feb 31, 1888 The steamabip Bobomian, from Liverpool and f.ondon derry, arrived here at (ve o'clock this morming. Her news '9 anticipated The Bobemina ro then t Andrew put | back to Londomterry, amd wailed om the 2b atime jor New Yors The Bobeman wea greaiiy detstued ‘ tie port by heavy Arrival of the Karopa Boston. Howtos, Yeb. 1PM tomtom, Feb. 11, 1863 » Uaiiex at a quarter The Raropa arrived bere & part three u'clok this afterncoa The maila and (he newspaper the prea, per the pm, will be dee ed 0 New York by this evening's trabu, whieh will « ere as an early hour to morrow News from Gan Francisco. UHAYY SHIPMENT OF TREASURE FOR Naw TORE AND RROLAND. Ban Pnaxcmeo, Ve Hailed eloemer Constitution ese par 4 1,100,000 im treanore «York sod $007 000 for It ia euy tem dottare weut on government a the ope which hae scour 4 mail rece et crows i in ‘ the 4 ye : “ ae * 4t v ri ot ee PRICE THREE CEN M. MERCIER'S VISIT TO RICHMOND Short, Sharp and Decisive Note from Secretary Seward, His Explavation of M. Mere to M. Thouvenel, &e. s Despateh &e., &e. Wasumoarem, Feb. 11 , 1863. The following communication was transmitted to the Senate to-day :— To Tw Prmmmerr oF rm UxiTeD StaTER ‘The Secretary of Stato, to whom was referred a resolue tion of the Semate passed on the 9th day of February in- stant, in these words, viz :-— Resolved, That the President of the Upited Staten be re- quested to communicate to the Seams act ooropatible ‘with the public interests, the character of the ruggestions made by the Secretary of State of the United states to M. Mercier, the representative of the of the French to this government, as narrated in hig communioation tO | M. Thouvenel, under the date of of April last, which induced M. Mercier ¥) undertake hie minsigp to Richmond ia that imonth, and what represen a any, hé wee authorized to make frem this gove: nment, or irom the Secretary of State, to the Confederate autho rition— =-hag the honor to submit the following report — That no euggestions were made to M, Moreior by the Secretary of State that induced, or mere designed or caleux lated to intuce, him to untertake @ mission to Ricomenl in April last or at any otber'time. He wag not then, nor bas he or any other person ever teem, authorizad by the gover n= ment or by the Secretary of Stale (o make any repreventalions of any kind or om any tubjert (o the insurrectinuary agen | or so-called ay/horities at Richmond, or to holt aay commus nication with them on behalf of this government From the beginning of tho present disturbances antil the spring of 1862 this pariment was charged with the authority of granting passes or panne | ports through the tines of the governmeus | forces. It early became a question whether foreign Ministers, residing tn the United States, sould be denied euch parsports, It was thought a sound aod |iberal poli- cy to leave them free to vieit any part of the country to ey are necredited, so long aa there ehould be no 4 Lo question their good faith towards (his go ‘This has been uniformly avowed ax the oy the government, Accordingly 4 passport war granted yn | the month of April, 1801, to nis Excellency Hudoiply | Sebleiden, Minister Resient bere of the republic of Bre- | men, A like passport wae gramted in August, 1601, to the | French Minister, attended by hit Royal Highnene the Prince Jarome Nepoloon, then oo a vinit at Ul ta); and in April last @ wimilar paswport tothe Prene Mimin= ter, These pareporta were granted at the request of those distinguished partons conpectively, and not om any suggestion of the government ov Sterdary of Siate. They reverally travelled ina private and unofficia) capseity They bere no communication, whether formal or informal, verbal or wrilten, from this government or from ‘he Secre tary of Siateto any of the insurgents, and they brought none from any such perron to thie govert ment or to the “Secretary Btote. Since the ath of March, 1861, mo communication, iveet or indirect, for mel on infor } mal, hae been held by thee government or by the Beere- tary of State with the insurgents, thelr alder: «) abetiorm. Do pasgport b # been granted to any foreign winister to pass the military lines exeopt by the President ® direction, cock of sneb minieters who bas received © eb. pane port bas, upon bis retorn upon the President, am wo)) an the Secrotary of Htate, and given them sh account, uma ibert, at he thought pre per of Uke Incidents of hos journey. | Of course, those statements are to be qualifie! vo far ae the fits relating to communieations concerning the @ change of prisoners aud other military matters sa char of the War Pepartinent may affect thew. Respec Hully submited, WILLIAM H. eh WARD Theses OF Sturn, Waswinerom, Feb. 9, 16d ‘M. MEKOLER'R ACCOUNT. Wy order that our readers may beable to understand thy mort Important diplomatic corretpondence. we pub- | leh a titeral translation of M. Mercior's derpereh to M. Thoavevel — Wavaseton, Ay 1? 182. | Monsiwem 1 Mowers | Io the Inst conversution whieh Thad with tun (By. Reward), under the imprension of (he sal factory newm | which be had received from the Wert, be inul before me oll the reasons which he bellewed weet t proach ing re establisbrvent of the " o talking, (Le remark erexpod me ea a by ch hot being able te amare gaat Kiebmond, Me. Sew- that Leonld very easily go preve the ap condition ci 4) d replied to me at unre tbither that all i had & ipo that it might carey we bring him my mnnrer things into commideration, 1 froth the moment | ondertovk Ubis VoyagR, with he aequl- corn eo thorough of the Se retary of St amet ast sermet aplia th hin A it would be easy for ine, by lw exercine of 8 Little prodonce, to prevent any OMY eeOL Feeult, and (bal Oo the other hand, bende (he advantage of furmihing moe the opport to cations old Daye tbat of precious infor wa thon, fc arvongenent of J deciied Wen to i, Dutt dispenssbie not to leave my colleague, Uve Mi land, ce of my departare, aoa Tb : —. ely taker Mt ontil afer © Jthen repaired wo Mr the Linveror being paed to lend his kool offices We feveral gow eromendt, 1 believed | was faithfol tw hie pen timeuts iv deciding—tie Seorerary of | ne Wweonwenrence in the procveding-—to dep wood moreover, that Lehowk have the | desire, Heol CiCCNMMATARBER, Lo Yt Me commimicatoo wih our eoneyit, In order to judge for of the #ituation nue amteg the rere used right Feige minieterwreniing in the TBited Sarr 10 viRb territory of Coen. * that | whould holt, it «os emmy to + involved Coumidersbe cry to our order Wo anmure eyo at the that (lt eo world © on Le reaeh- wet, owerturee torre wule to me m of ihe confederacy of he South, t nyt Wo be anderstont (eat in my 1 61d Only #peok 0° the re extablicbrent of the that Oar genersi Wterent hat always made Gs look Ofom separation with regret, ond ‘hat our interests at the moment ought wake u* web be- fore everything eine the end of the war eheh inter ropted oor commerce ‘bet, tm the dispoition in whieh the population of the North seemed to be recogni ! on ide the federal gover nEMent \« raime « peace wan the only prayer we oo and that we should be comseqnenthy ao | everything #hich depended om ik might eT partes Ti vene underttowd, boven that I thawid report to Mr Seward only what 1 was oubyoriaed W repeat to him Mry Seward wsdl to me tha! I might add, Of | fount tune occanom that in Ms opwntom the North » by no tentoment of vengernre, and thal for h worth plranure find hivnself optim im the Senate «0 S all Lose whom the South tought + ber or thin comverantym Iw (he commander of the Garmeoe | 10 beg tien Ws ome and tone mie at the eariient prmmibig moment om board his ehip at Aiexandri OF Avnapetw, w 1 begged Mr, Keward \o take the trouble to expedite the Aetivery of the deapsten menor Men word by teleyraph to » whe wan at Port Mource, THE NAVY. | Thece M Ocean Lron-Clads to be Dati. 9 8 (om Gaye proposals will be lamved for (he conetrew 4 three enermens comen iro clad tom of wer, elm to tbe Ihetator end Puritan, Bow in Course of oonetrvetion toe thin neighborhood, They will be over four hundred fet ong, abd much more formidable then ember the Warrior or the Gloire, The iron armor on ihe turrete wii be nn seen than iwo font thick, eh (he vvtaite bow jo willbe Of Irom —will be as wharp e# the binds of @ The battery pare anything iberte com ef If present mdieatvons oan b Son, ordeance pe be adie d twenty-inch gun, whieh com yoherge Balt & ton weight of Iron ab a einyle rhet, Twa more of (eee wit! boon Ward. Aa the ereshing force “es 4 bai be whee ired toma, 6 wot of the ‘ punitiom tony be unagived, New York being y pace whe BOG MARL: \a Could be ' . ay het some wirietore . fhe ne © ibe etecke before Jely, Buch o nmr, however, be built in lone hum & pene, » petaye wie . y A forty fret bong, ut . oe with “1 wh the ‘