allowed to go, though we don't quite see how | and under his eye, ready to start with the she would draw any more water with a tow breeze. The Cahawba lets go the tow-ropes than without. We are presently consoled by and drops her anchor. the report that the Pocahontas is coming, and shortly afterward the Mercury, also, which is constantly turning up in the most unexpected way just as she is wanted. OFF CHARLESTON, STEAMSHIP CAHAWBA, } The fleet got under weigh next morning, Wednesday, about an hour before sunrise, part of the ships in tow of the steamers, the rest trusting to canvas. There is the same delicious weather, only not quite enough wind for sailing vessels. A butterfly floats for an hour sight at half-past three, and soon after the blockading squadron-the Florida, Augusta, and Roebuck. The Florida runs down to take a look at us and make sure that the rebels have not contrived to steal a fleet and get to sea. At five we are fairly off the entrance of Charleston harbor, and there, lifting its walls high out of the sea, is Fort Sumter! No loyal American can look on it without grateful remembrance of the service it has done. I have nothing to say of what is called its defence, nor of its final surrender, but I salute the fort with silent respect. By this time we are well in the midst of the whole fleet, part of which is anchored outside the bar, part waiting for our return, while the gunboats and steamers and tugs are moving busily in all directions. More than thirty ves-about our quarter-deck. Charleston light is in sels are in plain sight, most of them on the same errand to a hostile port. The scene is extraordinary; the number of vessels, their purpose, the poetic and religious justice of the fate they carry with them, and the rare beauty of the day by whose fading light the scene is visible, make it singularly impressive. Far away in the harbor, rides a phantom fleet, its spars dimly outlined against the sky. Nearer, a ship, whose seams are yawing, like the ancient mariner's skeleton bark, crosses the disk of fire in the west, with a motion spectrally slow. The sun, just touching the sea, dyes its surface with crimson splendor, and passes into purple twilight. It has hardly sunk when another rises in the east, so exactly the same in color and size that you cannot at once believe it the moon. For the rest of the night she is regnant queen. We hail two whalers, the Courier and Amazon, fast anchored, and apparently asleep, and get their hawsers aboard, with such clumsiness on the part of the Courier's boat that she is nearly caught and tossed in the bight of the line. Then the Amazon hails to say she has thirty | fathoms of chain out and cannot get her anchor, but being ordered to look alive and make no further trouble, the anchor is speedily up. We have the fleet-captain aboard, and shall stand no nonsense. The Courier meantime has swung round till her cabin windows are staring into ours, but as she is about as sharp one end as the other, tows stern first very well indeed. Only one ship is left; we can't very well take her, but we are determined to leave nothing behind. A steamer is coming out, bound for New York. We know her to be the Daniel Webster, Capt. Johnson. It is rather dark, and she is evidently indisposed to see us, but we all go up on the paddle-box and wave hats and handkerchiefs till she can no longer pretend to be blind, but puts her wheel to larboard and waits for our hail. "Daniel Webster, ahoy! Will you tow that ship out over the bar?" sings out our Master. "I'll see you damned first," answers Daniel Webster; and with that polite and obliging response, resumes her interrupted journey. Somehow, the Mercury at this moment reappears and of course carries off the lingering whaler. When we arrive outside we find the squadron anchored. There is no chance of getting to Charleston to-night with any thing but a fraction of the fleet. Capt. Davis is well satisfied to have got all the whalers out of port None of the ships under canvas arrived that night. The Philadelphia came about seven o'clock. The Ericsson, whose zeal had outrun her discretion in the attempt to tow three vessels, was seen sometimes during the night. Both were expected to remain till operations were finished, but the Philadelphia suddenly sent to say she had only three days' coal, and must go to New York at once. Five minutes allowed for letters. The only business of the evening was a channel reconnoissance, which resulted in the discovery that the channel buoy had been moved in order to mislead us, and that further soundings would be necessary the next day to determine its true position. Ships enough had arrived no doubt to persuade the anxiouslywatchful Carolinians that all the men-of-war had come, and were ready to repeat the Port Royal lesson. Two or three of the whalers on their way down passed within sight of the harbor, and caused some excitement on shore, signals being raised and guns fired in evident expectation of attack. The Charleston Mercury, it is thought, would be pleasant reading on the morrow, but unhappily the newsboys neglected to bring it. The first news on Thursday morning was that the rebels had blown up the light house during the night. It is evident they supposed the fleet to be men-of-war, and an attack intended. They could have no other object than to obstruct its entrance, for the destruction of the lighthouse was an advantage to the real purpose of the expedition, and had been contemplated as a part of its work. Less agreeable information followed, that the Ericsson had gone North without waiting for orders, or any way communicating with the flag-ship-an unmanly desertion which interferes with the plan of operations, and compels the crews of the sunken vessels to return to Port Royal, instead of going direct to New York. A rebel steamer comes half way over the harbor about ten o'clock to take a look at our fleet, but keeps well out of range. The work of the day goes rapidly on. All the whalers which have not arrived are in sight, and coming up well. Mr. Godfrey is sounding to determine the points at which the outside vessels are to bo sunk, while the Cahawba is busily moving about, bringing some of the ships further in, and hailing each one that she passes. The Robin Hood, whose name appears economically on her quarter as the R. Hood, has been rather a favorite, and is chosen for the longest life and the most tragic fate of all the fleet. Each ship is ordered to unbend her sails. Mr. Bradbury hails the R. II.: "Robin Hood, ahoy! We shall send all the sails aboard you for the present. When you have them all, we shall take them on the Cahawba, and you will then sink your ship!" A remark which has a startling emphasis, one would think, on board the Robin Hood. and fought throughout the action with perfect steadiness and unflinching courage. Capt. Goldsborough of the Florida, one of the blockading squadron, came aboard during the morning with the news of the great fire in Charleston, of which some rumors had reached us at Port Royal. He was at anchor close in shore, and had the bearings of the city. The fire commenced on the night of the 11th and burned all night, the next day, and the night following. It was on the further side of the city, not near the water, the church steeples being plainly seen against the light. The wind was blowing fresh from the north-east, and the fire seemed to spread from the north-east to the south-west side of the city, and was awful in appearance and extent. Capt. Goldsborough also gave an account of a Swede, escaped from the Nashville at Bermuda, who described the condition of the city as one of great consternation and destitution. The people were constantly expecting an attack, were out of many kinds of provisions, and greatly dispirited. rumor, current at Port Royal, says that a meeting was held in Charleston not long since, at which the question of abandoning the Confederacy was discussed, and several votes given in favor of that policy, among them that of the Mayor of the city. A Guns are now heard from time to time during the day. Moultrie is said to be now a school of practice. Sumter is hidden from sight. The weather, which has favored us hitherto, is still every thing that could be wished; and the haze on the land side has dropped a vail between us and Charleston, so that they are left wholly to conjecture our movements. A few people can Most of the day was spent in preparation. be seen at Morris Island, some of them negroes, The Ottawa went in and anchored half a mile at the water's edge, and even wading in, as if beyond the bay, while the Mohican took a potrying to come off to the ships. The Susque-sition about a mile east of the channel and comhanna, Mr. Bradbury tells us, has nine who escaped before the fight while she was blockading off Charleston. Six of them are sailors and fishermen, worth two thousand dollars a piece, and earning fifteeen dollars a month for their masters. They readily went to work with the rest of the crew, were stationed at different guns during the bombardment at Port Royal, manding its approaches from the city. Neither vessel is in reach of guns from the shore, unless possibly a shot from Morris Island might find them in range. But there are no guns on that island at present. Many are known to have been carried from the forts and batteries commanding the channel to defend the city on the land side. Three heavy batteries still remain on Sullivan Island, though the blockading vessels have seen some of the guns removed even from Sumter. In the course of the afternoon all the whalers arrived and were towed up toward the bar in a convenient position to be taken over. About five o'clock the Ottawa came out, and towed first the Tenedos and then the Leonidas to their positions on the extreme right and left of the line. In a few minutes after anchoring, the crew of the Tenedos left her side in two boats, and we knew the ship was sinking. The process was much slower than had been expected. When the plug was removed, the water rushed in a stream from one side of the vessel to the other, but there was only a single hole, and when that was reached inside, it entered from the outside with greatly diminished force. The Tenedos presently heeled over a little, and being on the bottom, lay there for the night. It was low water, and the sides still visible. The Leonidas not swinging into the right position, her plug was not drawn till the next morning. After the moon and tide had risen, six more vessels were towed in, four by the Ottawa and two by the Pocahontas. By half past eleven the tide had fallen too far to proceed with the work. These old ships draw from thirteen to seventeen feet, and can only get on the bar near the top of the tide. The sinking of the fleet was intrusted to Capt. Charles H. Davis, formerly, from 1842 to 1849, chief of a hydrographic party on the Coast Survey, and ever since more or less intimately connected with it. It is remarkable that when, in 1851, an appropriation was made by the Federal Government for the improvement of Charleston harbor, and, at the request of South Carolina, a commission of navy and ariny officers was appointed to superintend the work, Capt. Davis was one of the commission, and for three or four years was engaged in these operations. The present attempt was of somewhat different character. The plan adopted by him may be easily understood by reference to a chart of the harbor, or by the following description: The entrance by the main ship channel runs from the bar to Fort Sumter, six miles, nearly south and north. The city is three miles beyond, bearing about N. W. The other channels are Sanford's, Swash, the North, and Maffit's, or Sullivan's Island, which need not to be particularly described. Only the latter is practicable for vessels of any draught, but all serve more or less to empty the waters discharged by the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. Over the bar, at the entrance of the main ship channel, is a narrow passage, through which vessels may carry eleven feet at low water; about seventeen at high water. The plan of Capt. Davis for closing the harbor proceeded on the following principles: First. The obstructions are to be placed on both sides of the crest of the bar, so that the same forces which have created the bar may be relied on to keep them in their places. Secondly. The bar is not to be obstructed entirely; for natural forces would soon open a new passage, since the rivers must discharge themselves by some outlet; but to be only partially obstructed, so that, while this channel is ruined, no old one, like Swash or Sanford, shall be improved, or a new one formed. Thirdly. The vessels are to be so placed that on the channel course it shall be difficult to draw a line through any part of it that will not be intercepted by one of them. A ship, therefore, endeavoring to make her way out or in, cannot do it by taking the bearings of any point of departure, as she cannot sail on any straight line. Fourthly. The vessels are to be placed checkerwise, and at some distance from each other, so as to create an artificial unevenness of the bottom, remotely resembling Hell Gate and Holmes's Hole, which unevenness will give rise to eddies, countercurrents, and whirlpools, adding so seriously to the difficulties of navigation that it can only be practicable by steamers, or with a very commanding breeze. With reference to the second, it may be added, that no other channel now existing will be closed, at least for the present, for if such a plan were carried too far, the formation of a new channel would be inevitable. Moreover, for the purposes of the blockade, the obstruction of the main channel is entirely sufficient. Maffit's Channel is so difficult that the Nashville failed in an attempt to escape by it, although made by daylight and with two pilots on board, and if it should be rendered more easily navigable in any way, it can be effectually blockaded by a force which is unable to watch that and another exit at the same time. And as to sinking vessels in the narrowest portion of that channel, it could only be done by first silencing the batteries on Sullivan's Island, if not Sumter itself. The execution of the foregoing plan was begun by buoying out the channel and circumscribing within four points the space where the vessels were all to be sunk, as follows: * 8. W. THE BAR. N. E. * The distance between the points from S. W. to N. E. is about an eighth of a mile; the breadth perhaps half as much. It will be understood that it was no part of the plan to build a wall of ships across, but to drop them at a little distance from each other, on the principles above stated, closing the channel to navigation, but leaving it open to the water. Work was resumed on Friday morning, the 20th, the Ottawa and Pocahontas bringing the ships to their stations. The placing of them was an operation of considerable nicety, especially as some of the vessels were so deep as to be with difficulty dragged on the bar, except at high water. A graver hindrance to their exact location was found in the imperfection of the arrangement for sinking, several of the ships ing in strength, the next are helplessly floating on the water, and had left only a hulk behind them. I think no one ever saw before the masts of fifteen ships cut away in a morning. When they were gone the desolation was almost complete; the picture more utterly ruinous and forlorn than can be conceived. One ship out of the sixteen, the Robin Hood, with upright masts, stood solitary sentinel over the wrecks. As evening came on she was set on fire, and gave us as the crown of our novel experiment, the rare sight of a ship on fire at sea. She was still burning when the Cahawba left for Port Royal at one in the morning. The work of the expedition is a complete success. If it seemed sometimes a sad one even to us, with what feelings must the people of Charleston have looked on its progress? All the operations of the fleet were in full sight of Moultrie, Morris, and Sullivan Islands, and Sumter, but not a man could lift a finger to imperil or arrest them. The fire which swept the streets of half the city was a trivial misfortune compared with this final disaster. Its distant results it is impossible to foretell with certainty, for it is necessarily an experiment. An effort to blockade a tidal harbor like this, presented a wholly new problem, which was worked out by Capt. Davis with great ingenuity and scientific skill; and for his present success it is enough to know that all access by the main ship channel is effectually closed. The bar is paved with granite, and the harbor a thing of the past. remaining afloat so long after the plug was | knocked out, that they swung out of position. They were, nevertheless, finally placed very nearly according to the plan. Great credit is due to Mr. Bradbury and Mr. Godfrey for the successful exccution of so difficult an undertaking. The last ship, the Archer, closed the only remaining gap, and the manner in which Mr. Bradbury took her in with the Pocahontas and then extricated the latter from her perilous position, filled the fleet with admiration for his skillful seamanship and cool daring. The difficulty with which this light vessel, in broad daylight, with such a pilot, got through, is sufficient evidence of the thoroughness of the work and the total impracticability of the channel for ordinary navigation. By half past ten the last plug was drawn, and every ship of the sixteen was either sunk or sinking. Our expectations had been to some extent disappointed in the character of the expedition while it was in progress. None of the vessels wholly disappeared from sight, and those which heeled over farthest and were most under water, had subsided in a very deliberate manner. Still, it had been rather melancholy to see the old craft that had survived so many storms, stripped of their sails and towed in, one by one, to be sunk; and when the whole fleet was in position the scene was sufficiently novel and striking to satisfy any hopes. From the position in which the Cahawba lay, there was hardly an opening between the ships. An impassable line of wrecks was drawn for an eighth of a mile between the points above indicated. All but two or three were careened. Some were on their beam ends, some down by the head, others by the stern, and masts, spars, and rigging of the thicklycrowded ships were mingled and tangled in the greatest confusion. They did not long remain so. The boats which had been swarming about the wrecks picking up stores, sails, and whatever was to be got, returning heavily laden, were ordered back to cut away the masts. It was meant to leave nothing behind of use to the rebels. The Cahawba was not more than half a mile from the bar, and every thing was in full view from her deck. In half an hour from the time the boats left her side the mizzenmast of the Rebecca Simms went over the side, and was speedily followed by the main and fore. The next was the Richmond, whose three masts went by the board together, with three almost simultaneous reports, followed by the snapping The mill owned by the Colstons, at the south of stays and shrouds, like irregular volleys of end of Dam No. 5, was set on fire on Thursday musketry, and the cheers of all the crews in night by Captain Hampton, of the Pittsburg the boats. As they fell, the sound of heavy Light Battery, attached to the First Virginia cannon echoed down the bay, and for the next regiment, and six men, volunteers, who went two hours the crash of falling masts was accom-over in three skiffs. They found in the mill, panied by the same salute. The guns of Sumter were the requiem of the fleet. Some stanch old ships died very hard, settling very slowly, and still upright when they had felt the bottom. It was hard to believe they were not afloat, and might yet sail away from their dreary fate, but the stately masts which one moment were stand Doc. 236. OPERATIONS ON THE UPPER POTOMAC. A CORRESPONDENT of the New York Herald gives the subjoined account of the rebel operations on the Upper Potomac : WILLIAMSPORT, Dec. 22, 1861. From personal observation, your correspondent is convinced that the rebel troops which have been threatening this point were not, at the utmost extent, over seven thousand in number, and not over four pieces of artillery have been seen here within the past week. The militia, which might have numbered one thousand five hundred, refused from the first to cross the river, and on two occasions would not approach nearer than a mile. besides the articles above mentioned, several shells, which were probably to have been sent over the next day. On Friday the elegant brick residence of the Colstons, situated a hundred yards from the mill, was seen to be on fire, but a party of the First Virginia went over and extinguished it, after which they ransacked the outbuildings and brought off a considerable amount of plunder, such as overcoats, picket ropes, leggings, axes, besides a supply of poultry. The enemy, excepting a few solitary sentinels posted on the distant hills, were not seen at this point until half-past three P. M., when they brought in sight their twelve-pound Parrott gun and threw a few shells toward the camp of the First Maryland, which had succeeded the Fifth Connecticut, then en route for Hancock. A ten-pound Parrott gun of Matthews' Pennsylvania battery, soon drove them out of sight. There was no loss on our side, and probably but slight loss on the other side, owing to the safe distance at which their gun was stationed. While these things were in progress, a troop of rebel cavalry made their appearance opposite Williamsport, about one mile from the river. They remained in full view for several hours, going through a drill for the benefit of the spectators. About noon a regiment of cavalry and another of infantry made their appearance near the ford at the Four Locks, two miles above Dam No. 5; but not liking the appearance of Colonel Kenley's preparations, they subsequently withdrew, without making any demonstrations. In the afternoon information reached Colonel Leonard that the main body of the enemy were, with their wagons and boats, concentrating near Falling Waters, five miles from Dain No. 5, on the Virginia side, but, owing to the curves in the river, fifteen miles between those points on our side. Colonel Leonard immediately reinforced his pickets at the former point, keeping a section of a battery and the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania as a reserve. A few shells were exchanged, and the enemy retreated, encamping out of sight, beyond the range of our Parrott guns. Intelligence yesterday from the other side, goes to show that the rebel commander, having failed in all his attempts, withdrew his forces that morning toward Martinsburg, leaving only three or four companies as pickets, but not taking away his wagons and boats. All was comparatively quiet during the day. HANCOCK, Dec. 20, 1861. marriage with ex-Senator Mason, now in Fort Warren. Colonel Leonard holds him as a spy. This town has been under martial law for several months. Lieutenant John G. Hovey, of Company B, Massachusetts Thirteenth, is the provost marshal. Among his political prisoners are R. D. Shepperd, of Shepherdstown, sonin-law of Alexander Boteler; Abraham Shepard, a captain in the rebel army, and a considerable number of civil officers of Morgan County who undertook to execute the rebel laws. Telegraphic communications are now received from Romney in four hours, including twenty miles of horse transportation. In a few days the wires will connect. Lamon's brigade (the First Virginia regiment) consists of three companies of cavalry, now with General Kelly; four companies of infantry, and two companies of artillery, under Colonel Leonard. The latter have volunteered to act as riflemen until their batteries are received. A specimen of forced marching occurred on Wednesday night. Colonel Kenly's First Maryland regiment left their camp near Frederick at twelve o'clock and arrived here at ten o'clock on Thursday morning a distance of nearly twenty-eight miles. They stopped four times only on the route, resting fifteen minutes on each occasion. DAM No. 4, Dec. 22, 1861. James Greenwood, a staunch Unionist, reports that there is but one guerilla company left to keep guard on the neck opposite, between this place and Falling Waters, four miles above. The remainder left for Martinsburg Saturday morning, excepting the wagons containing the boats. Mr. Greenwood's residence is a mile back of the dam in Virginia, where his family still reside. To his vigilance and patriotism are attributed the successful repulses of the enemy at this point. He is untiring in his exertions to give timely notice to our authorities of any movements of the enemy in this direction. He states that this guerilla company are always on the go, showing themselves at point after point, to convey the impression that the enemy have a large force there. Your correspondent is indebted to Mr. Greenwood for much valuable information regarding From him I learn that during their attack here localities and also for his services as a guide. last Tuesday, two privates of the Hamtraucht Guard, of Shepherdstown, were killed, and prob The Thirty-ninth Illinois, having received their arms, are now here, posted in a strong position, anxiously awaiting an opportunity to repel the enemy or coöperate with Gen. Kelly's advance guard, which now extends here, be-ably several others. Tillotson Dugan, formerly sides guarding the railroad all the way from Cumberland. The Fifth Connecticut and Knapp's battery are expected here in a day or two. WILLIAMSPORT, December 21, 1861. This morning a man named J. B. Wharton, residing at Clear Spring, approached one of the river pickets and offered him twenty-five dollars to carry a despatch to the other side. The soldier made the fact known to Colonel Leonard, who had him arrested, but not till he had destroyed the despatch. He is connected by jailer at Martinsburg, had his leg broke, and time. The latter is particularly obnoxious to was otherwise slightly injured, at the same the Unionists in this section. A finely-finished coffin was seen en route from Martinsburg to Dam No. Five, on Thursday, leading ⚫ the impression that some officer of rank had been killed, there. Sylvester Stonebreaker, a resident of this precinct, but who was arrested and made to take the oath of allegiance by Gen. Negley last summer, made his escape into Virginia near |