and imperative claims on my time, a much more satisfactory result might have been hoped for; and that in place of only one, as at present, at least five or six well-drilled, brave, and thoroughly acclimated regiments should by this time have been added to the loyal forces of the Union. mile of the wire was cut and brought on board, and the vitriol and batteries destroyed. The people ashore appeared to be peaceably disposed, were quite civil, and made no disrespectful demonstrations. The Mayor or Chief Magistrate informed Lieut. Lowry that but two or three days previous to our arrival the town had been visited by a band of guerrillas; that they had committed many outrages against law and order, and that he had arrested a lieutenant who commanded the party, but he was rescued by his men and borne off to the woods. He rep The experiment of arming the blacks, so far as I have made it, has been a complete and even marvellous success. They are sober, docile, attentive, and enthusiastic, displaying great natural capacities for acquiring the duties of the soldier. They are eager beyond all things to take the field and be led into action; and it is the unani-resented these guerrillas as a lawless set, whom mous opinion of the officers who have had charge of them, that in the peculiarities of this climate and country they will prove invaluable auxiliaries, fully equal to the similar regiments so long and successfully used by the British authorities in the West-India Islands. In conclusion, I would say it is my hopethere appearing no possibility of other reënforcements, owing to the exigencies of the campaign in the Peninsula-to have organized by the end of next fall, and to be able to present to the Government, from forty-eight to fifty thousand of these hardy and devoted soldiers. Trusting that this letter may form part of your answer to Mr. Wickliffe's resolutions, I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your very obedient servant, D. HUNTER, Doc. 133. OPERATIONS AT BAYOU SARA, LA. REPORT OF CAPTAIN CRAVEN. UNITED STATES STEAM SLOOP BROOKLYN, the inhabitants of the county and small towns "had a greater dread of than they had of the visits of our navy, or even of our army," and hoped we would not hold him responsible for the acts of this cut-throat band. Before leaving the shore Lieutenant Lowry, with the flag of our Union at the head of his party, marched to the tunes of Yankee Doodle and "Dixie" through some of the principal streets. We passed Natchez at about half-past ten A.M. of the sixteenth. On the morning of the seventeenth the Richmond joined us, and at about half-past nine A.M., we passed Rodney. We arrived at our present anchorage on the eighteenth, at half-past eleven A.M. Nowhere on our route were we molested, and I saw no change in the aspect of things since our last trip except at Grand Gulf. The town there was in ruins, having been riddled by shot and then destroyed by fire. On a small hill, just to the right of the town was a small earthwork, which had been but recently thrown up, and was capable of receiving three or four small fieldpieces. This work, as well as the town, was entirely destroyed. On the twentieth instant, Commander Porter arrived here with two of his mortar-boats. Yesterday the Miami arrived with another, and this SIR: In obedience to your orders of the thir-afternoon four others were towed up. teenth instant, I left Baton Rouge, on my way up the river, at one P.M. of that day. On the fourteenth, at nine P.M., I sent the marine guard and a party of seamen, in all about one hundred men, under charge of Lieut. Lowry, on shore at Bayou Sara, for the purpose of destroying the telegraphic apparatus and cutting the wires, and with orders to inform the authorities of that town that we were on the river for the purpose of enforcing the laws of our common country, and protecting its loyal citizens; and at the same time to warn them that if any hostile demonstrations were made upon our vessels or transports as they passed in front of their town, by the thieves and murderers yclept guerrillas, the town would be held responsible for it, and at least be laid under contribution, if not dealt with more severely. At about eleven A.M. Lieut. Lowry returned with his party to the ship, having thoroughly accomplished his work, excepting securing the telegraphic apparatus, which had been removed but a few minutes before he landed. About a half a Commander Porter informed me that his flotilla was fired upon at Ellis Cliffs, and that it is the intention of the rebels to mount a troublesome battery at that place and also at Quitman's Landing, as he learned at a farmhouse as he came up. The boats which came up this afternoon were fired at from Ellis Cliffs, and one, the Parish, was hit two or three times one shot having temporarily disabled one of her boilers. Yesterday morning I sent the Oneida and Winona to look after those places. To-morrow I shall send the Katahdin to convoy the two boats as far as Baton Rouge, or until she meets you. Here, at Vicksburgh, the rebels appear to be quite busy in extending and fortifying their works, and it is said that they have some ten thousand troops gathered in and about the town. Very respectfully, your ob't servant, THOMAS L. CRAVEN, Flag-Officer D. G. FARRAGUT, Doc. 134. REBEL GUERRILLAS IN ARKANSAS. HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISS. DISTRICT, 1. For the more effectual annoyance of the enemy upon our rivers and in our mountains and woods, all citizens of this district, who are not subject to conscription, are called upon to organ ize themselves into independent companies of mounted men, or infantry, as they prefer, arming and equipping themselves, and to serve in that part of the district to which they belong. a took a position near Major Lamson's force, at the Generals Hooker and Grover, with their staffs, filed past. The wood was too dense to admit of earthwork, while the Sixteenth Massachusetts the regiment marching in with any form save as the underbrush too thick to see any of the men a dispersed body, advancing as skirmishers, and ten feet from each other. The consequence was the commanding officer found great difficulty in delivering his orders in deploying through the forest. 2. When as many as ten men come together for this purpose they may organize by electing captain, one sergeant and a corporal, and will at once commence operations against the enemy, without waiting for special instructions. Their duty will be to cut off Federal pickets, scouts, After marching about a quarter of a mile, the foraging parties and trains, and to kill pilots and others on gunboats and transports, attacking them advance came suddenly upon the pickets of the day and night, and using the greatest vigor in enemy, who immediately fired upon them. The their movements. As soon as the company atadvance portion of the Sixteenth returned the fire, tains the strength required by law it will proceed and the action commenced. The rebels held their to elect the other officers to which it is entitled. ground with remarkable tenacity, and resisted All such organizations will be reported to these the passage of our troops with a stubbornness unheadquarters as soon as practicable. They will usual in pickets. The fire of the rebels was very receive pay and allowances for subsistence and strong, their knowledge of the ground and their forage for the time actually in the field, as estab-rifle-pits at almost every step gave them every lished by the affidavits of their captains. advantage to repel an advancing force, particular3. These companies will be governed, in all re-ly in attempting to penetrate a wood where the spects, by the same regulations as other troops. Captains will be held responsible for the good conduct and efficiency of their men, and will report to these headquarters from time to time. By command of Major-General HINDMAN, R. C. NEWTON, Doc. 135. COLONEL WYMAN'S A.A.General. RECONNOISSANCE. JUNE 18, 1862. foliage and thick underbrush prevent one from seeing an object a short distance from them. However, nothing daunted with their apparently insurmountable obstacles, the Sixteenth push on under a heavy, galling fire, driving the rebels from their rifle-pits in confusion and with great loss. Never did a regiment advance with more steadiness and unfaltering courage upon a foe. Although this was their initiatory fight, there was a promptness and decision about their manœuvres worthy of the heroes of a hundred battles. Some of the companies on the left saw the cleared ground on the other side of the wood with the redoubts in full view, lined with the enemy. These earthworks are higher than ours and mount heavy guns. The enemy had five regiments acting as a support to their pickets, resting in battlefront at their works. One was the Fifty-second Virginia, an Alabama regiment, and three from Georgia. BATTLE-GROUND, FAIR OAKS, Thursday, June 19, 1862. BRIGADIER-GENERAL HOOKER, commanding division, received orders from Gen. McClellan to make a reconnoissance in front of our picket-lines at Fair Oaks, to the left of the railroad. General Hooker accordingly sent orders to Brig.-Gen. Grover, of the First brigade, to assign one regiment of his force for that purpose. Gen. Grover selected The objects of the reconnoissance having been the Sixteenth Massachusetts, Col. P. T. Wyman. fully attained, though at the sacrifice of many a This regiment composed part of the late reënforce- brave spirit, the order to return was given. The ments in Hooker's division. The object of the re-enemy at this time appeared as if preparing to connoissance was to ascertain the exact character of the ground in front of our picket-line, through the wood, to the left and right of Hooker's front, and to the cleared field, where the rebels were supposed to be in force. At half-past three in the afternoon the Sixteenth Massachusetts, under their gallant Colonel, left their camps and marched up the Williamsburgh road to the wood, in front of two houses, called advance, but one swamp was found about thirty yards in width, easy to go round at either side, some wet ground a little to the right of it, but nothing that could be deemed impassable to infantry or even cavalry. There were many bridle-paths, and one or two good wagon-roads found running through the woods, moss grown over. The regiment went out at half-past three o'clock and returned at five. It is to be regretted that many of the dead and wounded were left on the field. Four of the dead of the Sixteenth were brought in and buried in the camp-ground, Rev. A. B. Fuller, chaplain of the regiment, officiating on the sad occasion. Gen. Grover and numerous officers were present. The scene was very impressive. Doc. 136. CAPTURE OF CUMBERLAND GAP. HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH DIVISION, U.S.A., THE deed is done, and Cumberland Gap is wrenched from rebel hands; and thus the most direct and available way to Eastern Tennessee is thrown wide open, and free access to and from the loyal people of that region is permanently secured. Viewing the event in all its aspects and bearings, it rises to the dignity and importance of a great political, military, and moral triumph, and none the less so from having been achieved by strategic operations, involving neither carnage, bloodshed, nor loss of life. On the evening of the seventeenth notice was given to have tents struck and two days' rations in haversacks, and be prepared to march promptly at one o'clock on the morning of the eighteenth. and destruction has been immense. Three hundred tents, at least, were left standing, but they were slit into ribbons; tons of projectiles were thrown over the cliffs into the ravines. Their long sixty-four was precipitated over a precipice of two hundred feet, but without any very material damage; their mortar and smaller guns were spiked, and the carriages cut down. The whole surface of the encampments was strewn with flour, meal, beans, rice, corn, and oats. They have lived fast and well, and cost them nothing but so much trash as you or I would not stop to pick up. The great defect of the rebel army organization has been its commissary department. They have subsisted by pillage and robbery, as their forced circulation of the issues of rotten shinplasters, banks and firms can be characterized by no milder terms. The capture of the Gap will have important results on the future operations of the war, as it can safely be made the base for future operations against the further south rebels. The situation here may thus be summed up: the rebels under Gens. Smith, Stevenson, and Barton, to the number of thirteen thousand, have retreated to Binghamton, Virginia; Gen. Morgan, with his main column, occupies Cumberland Gap; Gen. Carter, with his force, occupies Tazewell. BEN. -Cincinnati Commercial. Doc. 137. OPERATIONS OF THE JACOB BELL. UNITED STATES STEAMER JACOB BELL, SIR: I respectfully submit the following: Yesterday, in obedience to your orders, I proceeded with the despatches up the river to the Monitor. On passing the Red Bluff, known as Watkins's Bluff, I was opened upon by two batteries, three pieces, each of twelve-pounders, and about five hundred sharp-shooters. At the appointed hour we were under way, and by sunrise had made, with all our train, a distance of six miles. Two miles further on we expected to meet the rebel infantry and cavalry, at a point where they had established a camp on our advent into Powell's Valley, and here, for the first time, we learned the probable abandonment of the Gap. As we progressed in our march, the rumors became more thick and fast of a hasty leave-taking, and the brigades were quickened into increased speed, with the hope of at least arresting the rear-guard, but without results. The entire division, with the ammunition train, made the distance twenty miles-before sunset, and formally, amid the cheering of assembled hosts, and to the roar of artillery, raised the The channel being very narrow, being obliged national emblem of power and glory. The regi- to go within a few feet of the bluff, I suffered semental flags of the Sixteenth Ohio and Twenty- verely. The hail of bullets from the sharp-shootsecond Kentucky were each raised, and there ers prevented me for a time from responding, as may they ever remain as symbols of union and having no covering for my men at the batteries, fraternity. The Cumberland range extends from I would not expose them to the heavy fire. north-east to south-west, and preserves a mean A shot, however, came and carried away my elevation above the valleys on either side, I sup- rudder-chain, and my vessel got ashore in front pose, some two thousand feet. The Gap is a of the batteries. I was determined to go by, so cleft in the range of some five hundred feet in manned my guns, steaming on and forced her depth, and converges to a width barely sufficient over. The batteries were so masked that I could for a road-way. For a year the rebels have been not see them until opened upon, though the upintrenching and fortifying with all the skill and per battery raked me as I headed toward itmilitary science of which they are masters, and which, from the nature of the river, I had to do to-day the Gap and its surroundings may safely-but we stood on under their fire for about five be pronounced the Gibraltar of America. If it were sufficiently provisioned, adequately manned and armed, and gallantly defended, it could successfully withstand the world in arms. All honor to those whose strategy has compelled a bloodless surrender of such a stronghold. The waste minutes, which I considered better, as I had no idea of retreating until my duties were performed, and as long as my vessel lasted. As soon as I got up to the upper battery, the lower battery raked me aft, doing more damage to my upper works than the other. I think I should not have been damaged so much had it not been for my getting ashore directly in front of them, giving them but a few feet between me and their guns. The officers and men behaved with their accustomed coolness and efficiency, and promptly responded to the order to man the battery, though under a heavy fire of musketry. A shot has penetrated the flange of the portwheel, cracking it in several places; it will not do for me to be in any sea-way, as I will lose my wheel. The starboard side of the pilot house was carried away, together with two iron plates; in fact, my upper works are completely riddled. One shot struck the steam-valve, bending it, which slowed us down-fortunately not stopping the engine. As you ordered me to return after delivering the despatches, I passed the batteries again at night, but was not fired at. Ten shots struck the vessel in all, to say nothing of the bullets in the wood-work from the sharp-shooters. Very respectfully, your obed't servant, E. P. MCCREA, Lieutenant Commanding. Commander J. M. GILLIS, Commanding Naval Forces, James River. Doc. 138. FIGHT AT BATTLE CREEK, TENNESSEE. CAMP BATTLE CREEK, TENN., June 26. WHEN I arrived at this interesting point, I immediately set to work to learn the particulars of Colonel Sill's movements in the neighborhood of Jasper. He was sent there subsequent to the abortive operations in front of Chattanooga, for the purpose of affording protection to the Unionloving citizens of Marion County. He remained there from the eleventh to the twenty-first of June. His force was very small at that time, and the rebels, emboldened by what they considered their success upon the seventh and eighth instant, were making threatening demonstrations around him. To his original force, consisting of the Thirty-third Ohio, three companies of the Tenth Wisconsin, two sections of Edgarton's battery, the two pieces of artillery captured at Bridgeport, and two hundred and fifty men from the Fourth Ohio and Fourth Kentucky cavalry, were added, while he was still at Jasper; the Second Ohio and six companies of the Twenty-fourth Illinois. Col. Sill had learned that the enemy, having crossed the river at Chattanooga, were advancing upon him in great force, and his scouts reported their cavalry fifteen hundred strong. Jasper furnishes but a poor position for defensive purposes, as there are several roads leading into it by which an enemy might advance; and Colonel Sill could not afford to divide his small force for the purpose of guarding them all. To have done so would have been to sacrifice the different portions in detail. More than this, Col. Sill received his supplies by way of Stevenson. His wagons, in passing from the latter place to Jasper, were compelled to cross Battle Creek, near its mouth, upon a pontoon-bridge, and then to skirt for some distance the right bank of the Tennessee. The rebels, well understanding the nature of the country, planted a battery of two twelve-pounders upon the left bank of the river, opposite Battle Creek, in such a way that they could completely command the road along which the wagons going from Stevenson must necessarily pass. Such being the condition of things, Col. Sill, an officer prudent and cautious as he is other wise excellent, determined to march to the mouth of Battle Creek and take up a position there, which would not only enable him to receive supplies without interruption, and to command the Tennessee, but would furnish an excellent basis for operations against any rebel force which might attempt to molest the people of Jasper. Upon Friday, the twentieth of June, Col. Sill sent four companies of the Twenty-fourth Illinois down to Rankin's Ferry, six miles from Jasper, to hold the enemy in check in case he should attempt to cross at that point. Colonel Mihalotzy commanded this force. At night a number of the rebels crossed the river some distance above the ferry, and about daylight the next morning attempted to surprise the small body of soldiers posted there. Our pickets, however, were too vigilant for this. They discovered the rebels upon their first approach; a smart skirmish ensued, and the enemy, finding himself baffled in his main object, withdrew under cover of the woods, losing, according to the reports of some contrabands who came across the river next day, about forty men killed and wounded. Of the Twenty-fourth, Captain August Kovats, company F, was wounded severely in the leg; Second Lieutenant Hugo Gerhardt, company F, in the leg, and private Henry Schaefer, company F, in the leg and face. Privates Christian Schmidt, company H, Hermann Schultz, company D, and Charles Bergmann, company A, are missing. Colonel Mihalotzy's force, after this skirmish, went back to Jasper, and as soon as he had returned, Colonel Sill's entire force commenced its march to Battle Creek. Opposite the mouth of this stream the enemy had, as has already been stated, two twelve-pounders, from which they opened fire upon our men as they were commenc ing to cross the creek. Edgarton immediately put two of his pieces in position to reply, and at the same time companies A and B of the Second Ohio regiment were deployed as skirmishers along the bank of the Tennessee. The firing was kept up in quite a lively style for some time, until a shell from Edgarton's battery struck plump upon one of the enemy's pieces, and placed it hors du combat. The rebels immediately abandoned both their cannon, and betook themselves to rapid flight. In the mean time a considerable body of rebel infantry had shown themselves lower down the river, and commenced discharging their muskets at such of our troops as had passed the creek. The river at this point flows almost due south, and Battle Creek enters it running in a southeasterly direction. Captain Edgarton, as soon as the enemy's infantry made its appearance, immediately crossed the creek, planted his guns in a new position, and so disgusted the fellows upon the other side of the river, by flinging amongst them a dozen rounds of shell and shrapnel, that they incontinently took to their heels. Of course we cannot ascertain the enemy's loss, but it must have been considerable; and so thoroughly frightened were they, that they have not since troubled us, except to fire an occasional shot across the river, from behind a rock or a tree, taking good care, however, to keep their carcasses well concealed. Our loss consisted of one man wounded-John Eckhart, company B, Second Ohio, shot in the right breast. One of Capt. Edgarton's horses was killed. Col. Sill, throughout these operations, has exhibited much prudence and ability, and has been well supported by those under his command. The position he occupies at the mouth of Battle Creek is, for defensive purposes, one of the finest I ever saw. A thousand men could hold it against five times their numbers, whether it were assailed upon the north or south, or from the east, across the Tennessee. A huge mountain upon the west runs parallel with the river, and just at the mouth of the creek sends down a mighty spur to within a few hundred yards of the Tennessee. North of this spur the creek comes wandering along through a gorge so narrow as to admit nothing save itself to pass. Between the mountain and the river, the road from Stevenson to Jasper passes, as also an unfinished branch railroad running from Bridgeport to the latter place. Upon the other side of the Tennessee is a narrow belt of cleared land, then a line of low hills, and then the fine valley through which runs the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Beyond this, a range of the Cumberland Mountains rears itself, extending far away both up and down the river, until its great masses are lost in the blue distance. South of the point where Colonel Sill has his headquarters, the mountain upon the west bank of the river recedes, and a beautiful "cove is formed, in which a number of our troops are encamped. Y. S. -Cincinnati Gazette. Doc. 139. FIGHT AT SIMON'S BLUFF, S. C. SIR: I enclose another interesting report from Lieut. Commanding Rhind, of further operations in North-Edisto. On the twenty-first instant, with the Crusader and the Planter, and piloted by Robert Small, he ran up North-Edisto River into Wadmelan Sound, as far as Simon's Bluff, which is on the main land. UNITED STATES STEAMER CRUSADER, SIR: On the twenty-first I took this vessel, followed by the Planter, Acting Master Phoenix, up to Simon's Bluff, on Wadmelan Sound, and, after a short engagement, drove off the enemy stationed there, and captured and destroyed their camp. On board the Planter were four officers and seventy men of the Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania volunteers, under command of Captain Bennett. From orders and papers found in the camp, it appears that the force at the point consisted of the Marion artillery and two companies of the Eleventh South-Carolina volunteers, and that the regiment was placed two miles back. As we approached the point, the artillery (which seemed to be quartered in some plantationhouses near a mile off) was seen advancing, and some baggage-wagons going off from the bluff. We advanced slowly without firing, my object being to draw the artillery down, but they seemed to halt in a clump of trees some distance off from the point, and apparently retired, as we saw no more of them during the day. We slowly passed the bluff, at half-pistol-shot distance, and received a smart musketry-fire from rifle-pits and the houses. Our nearness seems to have disconcerted their aim, as their volleys passed harmlessly over our heads. A couple of broadsides were discharged, and when the smoke had cleared away, the enemy had disappeared. Rounding to above the bluff, we passed slowly down again, and anchored abreast the rifle-pits and houses. I then went on board the Planter, and taking her in to the shore, landed with Capt. Bennett's command, and fired their tents, about thirty in number, and some cabins used as quar ters. The enemy had taken off the baggage, etc., before we landed. A few muskets and other articles were brought away. We returned to our anchorage off the wharf about six P.M., without loss and with very trifling damage. Colonel White, of the Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania, commanding the post here, and his officers and men, cooperated with us with great cordiality. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Flag-Officer S. F. DU PONT, A. C. RHIND, Lieutenant Commanding. Commanding South-Atlantic Blockading Squadron |