came to anchor in Portland harbor. He did not call upon me to take the vessel in, and I did not assist in the least in taking her into Portland harbor. We finally came to anchor to the eastward of Pomeroy's rock, off Fish Point, Portland harbor, about a quarter of a mile from the rock. It was, I should judge, at the time we anchored about half-past seven or near sunset of said Friday, and I remained upon deck until about nine o'clock. In that time, they passed on deck, out of the cabin, ten or twelve clothes-bags. All the persons on board were at the time they took me, and remained all the time I was with them, in fishermen's clothes, except the person I have called the Captain. He had on blue or black pants and a blue frock coat. He had nothing on that looked like uniform, either naval or military, After they got into the harbor of Portland, the men put on their belts, pistols and cutlasses, and most of them were so armed before nine o'clock. My partner was with me most of the time. He did not assist at all in piloting the vessel into the harbor, and neither was called upon for that purpose. About nine o'clock Titcomb and myself were ordered below into the cabin and fastened up, and one man was left at the gangway, as near as we could judge. From the time that I went on board until we were put below, no boat left the vessel, and no person left it. When we were thus put into the cabin, we lay down in the berths. A man came down and said: "Men, don't attempt to come upon deck to-night. Make no noise or resistance, and it will be all the better for you." I said: " Ay, ay, sir." From did not. He asked me if I did not think it was well done, to take the cutter out, with all hands aboard, without any trouble. I told him I thought it was a very daring act. He said he would have done a good deal more had he had a good wind. when he commenced. He asked me if I was acquainted through the way the cutter was going. I told him I was. He said: "Is there plenty of water?" I told him it was a very shallow place at low water. He said: "I shall go out this way." We were then to the northward of Fort Gorges. I don't recollect that he said any thing further, except: "Don't get this vessel aground." I made no reply whatever. I was on the main deck; I had made no remark about the course or direction of the vessel, and had been asked no questions. A man was at the wheel, but I had not spoken to him or been near him. A man was ordered by the officer to heave the lead. Don't know that I heard what depth was reported. We were then being towed to the northcast. There was no wind. We kept on until we got abreast the passage between Cow Island and Hog Island. I was then asked if the cutter would not go through that passage. I told him it was a very bad passage. He said he should go through, and told the man at the wheel to keep her off. She was kept off and taken through that passage. No questions were asked me about the course, and we went through it very quick, as a breeze sprang up just as we entered the passage. I gave no directions as to the course, and was not asked to give any. After getting through there, the cutter was in an open sea-way, and kept right out to sea. Before we got to the Green Islands I asked the captain if he would not let me go. He said he should not. I saw two men, that looked like the the time we went on board the vessel until we went below as just stated, no boat came to the vessel, and no person communicated with any one on board. I was on deck constantly, except-cutter's crew, come up with irons on, and their ing the time I was in the cabin first, as before stated, and the time I spent in eating dinner. After being left alone, I heard noise of hoist ing and a stir about deck, until twelve or halfpast twelve o'clock, I should judge. I did not sleep a wink, and I heard nothing afterward but the tread of the watchman on deck until about daybreak. Then I heard a noise alongside. Men got upon deck and opened the companion-way and ordered us upon deck. Titcomb and myself both went on deck. The vessel was where she was when I went below at night. Both Titcomb and myself were ordered into our own boat alongside. I hesitated a moment. The order came, "Hurry up, men; hurry up, men," and so I went aboard. Three or four men got into the boat and rowed us alongside the cutter. It was daylight, and I could see the cutter near us, with all sail on and two boats towing. She was about an eighth of a mile east of Fish Point. When we got alongside I was ordered on board, and I think one man got out with me, an officer, I think. Nothing was said to me for an hour, I should think, when one of the men said to me: "What do you think of this? Did you think of this when we came in last night?" I replied that I irons were taken off while they went to the waterspout, and then they were ironed again and taken below. Beside those, I saw no other persons aboard except those I had seen the day previous in the schooner. After getting three miles beyond the Green Islands, I asked again to be let go. He told me no; he would stand off a little further, then he would heave-to and wait for the schooner to come up. When out past Cod Ledge we saw steamers coming, and when they were within about two miles I asked again to be let go. He told me he didn't care; I might take either of the little boats alongside. I got into the boat as soon as the word was given, and rowed off. One of the men said I had better row a little quartering, for they should fire soon. I finally reached the steamer Forest City, and was taken aboard, and related all the circumstances to the officers. I told the captain that the schooner was somewhere between Portland and Jewell Island. He hesitated a few minutes, and under my direction ran for her. I remained on board the Forest City until I was landed at Fort Preble, where I am now detained. When I was taken on board the schooner I supposed it was a drunken crew of fishermen on a frolic, and I saw nothing suspicious until nearly half-way to Portland, when I saw them passing LETTER FROM LIEUT. READ, OF THE PRIVATEER FORT PREBLE, PORTLAND, ME., MY DEAR BARBOT: As I have just noticed your arrival at Fort Lafayette, in company with the officers and crew of the late ram Atlanta, I have concluded to drop you a few lines, informing you of my being bagged, and nicely closeted, in a well-built fort in "Old Abe's" dominions. As you have, perhaps, heard nothing definite of the Florida since she left Mobile Bay, I will give you a brief account of her exploits, and of my cruise since leaving her. She left Mobile Bay on a clear, starlight night, a stiff breeze blowing from the north-west. We dashed by the blockaders at full speed, and although blue and flash Drummond lights turned night into day, we were not fired at. Next morning the Oneida, Brooklyn, and Cuyler, were in chase, but they soon dropped far astern. The breeze was strong, and we carried all the canvas the Florida could bear. The main-topsail yard was carried away, and the fore-topsail yard sprung. I never saw any vessel make better speed. The Florida is a splendid sea-boat. She will outsail any clipper, and steams thirteen knots. She can fight three heavy rifles directly aft; and as it is in her power always to bring on a stern chase, she can never be captured. With English oak and Southern hearts, she has no superior. On usual, was in a deplorable condition and we were unable to do as much as we otherwise would have done. The cutter had one thirty-two pounder amidships and one twenty-four pounder howitzer forward. There was but one cartridge for the thirty-two, and but five rusty round shot and a few stand of grape. The attacking steamers were filled with armed men, and their machinery protected by bales of rags and cotton. We fired away all our ammunition, set fire to the cutter, and surrendered in our small boats. It was my intention, when I came into Portland, to cut out a sea-going steamer, but, strange to say, at the decisive moment, Mr. Brown (whom you will remember in connection with the breaking down of the Arkansas engine) declared himself incompetent to work the engines of the steamer, unless he had another engineer to cooperate with him. All my plans were then crushed, and I was confpelled to take the cutter out as a dernier ressort. If there had been a breeze, we would have been far out to sea before daylight, having committed considerable destruction in the harbor of Portland. We have been kindly treated by our captors. I expect we will be sent either to New-York or Boston in a few days. As they have commenced exchanging again, I hope we all may be sent into Dixie before long. My kindest regards to Travers and Williamson. Write to me. Sincerely, etc., your friend, Doc. 22. THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. THE CHANGE OF COMMANDERS. GENERAL HOOKER was relieved of the command of the army at his own request. In taking leave of his soldiers, he issued the following address: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, FREDERICK, MD., June 28, 1863. GENERAL ORDER No. 65. mac. The Florida proceeded to Havana, thence to Nassau and Barbadoes. On the sixth of May she was off Cape St. Roque, and had captured fourteen sail, all valuable vessels. On the sixth of May we captured the brig Clarence, from Rio to Baltimore. I proposed to take her and make a raid on the United States coast. My proposition was acceded to, and I was given twenty-two In conformity with the orders of the War demen and one twelve-pound howitzer. We cap- partment, dated June twenty-seventh, 1863, I tured three transports off Cape Henry, and a fine relinquish the command of the army of the Potoclipper bark called the Tacony. As the latter It is transferred to Major-General George vessel was a much better sailer than the Clar-G. Meade, a brave and accomplished officer, who ence, we burned the Clarence and took the bark. has nobly earned the confidence and esteem of With the Tacony we destroyed fifteen sail. the army on many a well-fought field. Impressed the twenty-third of June we burned the Tacony, with the belief that my usefulness as the comand took a small fore-and-aft schooner of seventy mander of the army of the Potomac is impaired, tons, with the view of cutting out a better vessel. On the morning of the twenty-sixth we made Portland light; at sunset we entered the harbor; at half-past one we boarded the revenue cutter Cushing, and took her with but little difficulty. The wind was very light, and it was seven o'clock in the morning before we got out of range of the forts. At ten A.M. we were about fifteen miles from the city, when the wind died and left us becalmed. At eleven, three steamers were discovered approaching us; we cleared for action, but the ordnance department of the cutter, as part from it, yet not without the deepest emotion. The sorrow of parting with the comrades of so many battles is relieved by the conviction that the courage and devotion of this army will never cease nor fail; that it will yield to my successor, as it has to me, a willing and hearty support. With the earnest prayer that the triumph of its arms may bring successes worthy of it and the nation, I bid it farewell. S. F. BARSTOW, JOSEPH HOOKER, Major-General. GENERAL MEADE'S ADDRESS ON TAKING COMMAND. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 28, 1863. GENERAL ORDER No. 66. By direction of the President of the United States, I hereby assume command of the army of the Potomac. As a soldier, in obeying this order, an order totally unexpected and unsolicited, I have no promises or pledges to make. The country looks to this army to relieve it from the devastation and disgrace of a hostile invasion. Whatever fatigues and sacrifices we may be called upon to undergo, let us have in view constantly the magnitude of the interests involved, and let each man determine to do his duty, leaving to an all-controlling Providence the decision of the contest. It is with just diffidence that I relieve in the command of this army an eminent and accomplished soldier, whose name must ever appear conspicuous in the history of its achieve ments; but I rely upon the hearty support of my companions in arms to assist me in the discharge of the duties of the important trust which has GEORGE G. MEADE, Major-General Commanding. been confided to me. S. F. BARSTOW, Assistant Adjutant-General. Doc. 23. THE MISSION OF A. H. STEPHENS. THE following is the correspondence relating to the mission of Alexander H. Stephens and Robert Ould at Fortress Monroe: FORTRESS MONROE, July 4, 1863, Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy: OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Major-Gen. H. W. Halleck, General-in-Chief: GENERAL Prentiss was attacked in force by the rebels, under Holmes and Price, at Helena yesterday. He estimated the force at fifteen thousand. I think nine thousand will cover their strength. General Prentiss sustained their attack until three P.M., from daylight, when the rebels were repulsed at all points, leaving one thousand two hundred prisoners. Their loss in killed and wounded is about from five to six hundred. General Prentiss lost about fifty. He has already sent me eight hundred and sixty prisoners, which I send to Alton today, (Sunday noon.) S. A. HURLBUT, Major-General Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT EAST-ARKANSAS, To Major-General S. A. Hurlbut, Commanding GENERAL: We have been hard pressed since The enemy are now evidently preparing for a Admiral, etc. renewed attack in force. CONFEDERATE STATES STEAMER TORPEDO, SIR: As a military commissioner, I am the To S. H. LEE, Admiral, etc. Yours most respectfully, ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS. I Send another gunboat if possible. The Tyler has done good service to-day. In great haste, your obedient servant, Major-General S. A. Hurlbut, Commanding Sixteenth Army Corps: GENERAL: We have repulsed the enemy at every point, and our soldiers are now collecting their wounded. We have taken in all one thousand two hundred prisoners, and their loss in killed and wounded will reach five hundred or six hundred; but although the rebels are badly whipped, there is no doubt whatever they will renew the attack at an early moment, and that they are now massing their troops for that purpose. My force is inferior to the rebels. With the aid I expect from you and the gunboats, the rebel army may be severely beaten. The Tyler has been to-day a valuable Captains Bower, of company E, and Davis, of. auxiliary. I remain, General, Your obedient servant, B. M. PRENTISS, COLONEL BENTON'S OFFICIAL REPORT. Editor Nonpareil :* I feel proud of the conduct of the Twenty-ninth. They came up to the work promptly and coolly, and stuck to it with unyielding fidelity. The enemy came upon us with a rush and a shout, followed by repeated volleys of small arms and occasionally a little grape, by which several of our men were killed and wounded. It was a critical moment. Had they faltered, serious disaster was inevitable. They stood firm and gave the enemy more than they bargained for, and soon had a portion of his dead and wounded within our lines. The sight of the wounded and dying seemed to inspire them with fresh courage. I advanced several times to the brow of the hills, where I could company D, were absent on sick leave. Captains Huggins, of company G, and Nash, of company F, were sick and unable to leave their quarters. Time has shown that my selection of Adjutant was a happy one. In the office or in the field he is every inch a soldier, recognizing no deviation from the stern laws that govern a military organization. Assistant-Surgeons Nicholson and Eakin were on the field, and were active and vigilant in their attentions to the wounded. A section of the Third Iowa battery (from Du buque) commanded by Lieutenant Wright, was rendered the position of the enemy very uncomposted on our right, and did good service, and fortable. I would like to give you the details of the general engagement, but have not time, and you will doubtless see them elsewhere. Suffice it to say that the battle was hotly contested on both sides. The rebels fought well, and yielded only to the superior force of our arms. Our entire effective force, according to the official reports of the day That of the enemy, according to their own stateprevious, was three thousand eight hundred. ment, was between fifteen and twenty thousand, which corroborates the estimates made from our own observation. Our entire loss in killed, wound sand prisoners during the action and a good many stragglers since. We buried some two hundred and seventy-five of their dead on the field, and found the graves of over one hundred buried by themselves. We have had possession of about four hundred of their wounded, some of whom were left at farm-houses a few miles west of the town on their retreat. From the nature of the wounds our surgeons assure us that their dead will not fall short of six hundred. It is fair to presume that they had the usual proportion of get a better view of the contending forces. Ied, and missing is less than two hundred and fifty. found our boys in various attitudes-standing, That of the enemy not less than two thousand kneeling, half bent, and flat on the ground-load-five hundred. In estimating their loss we have ing and firing, and occasionally advancing as de- the facts to govern us. We took over one thouliberately and systematically as a mountaineer after an antelope. Our fire was well aimed. The obstructions behind which the enemy were concealed, after they fell back, were thoroughly pep pered with our Enfield balls. By making a sudden dash, we could have taken one of their guns, but prudence dictated that we should not risk an ambuscade for the sake of getting possession of a gun which was no longer doing us any harm. The respective companies were disposed of as follows: Deployed as skirmishers, A, B, C, E, F G, H, and K. Held as a reserve, D and I. The following officers were in the engagement: Lieu-slightly wounded, who were taken with them. tenant-Colonel Patterson, Major Shoemaker, and Price, and Marmaduke, the former in command. The rebels were under the leadership of Holmes, Adjutant Lyman; Captain Gardner and Second Our forces were commanded by Brigadier-General Lieutenant Kirkpatrick, of company A; Captain F. Salomon, brother of Governor Salomon, of Andrews and Second Lieutenant Sheldon, of com Wisconsin. prised. pany B; Captain Bacon, First Lieutenant Hedge, The limited number of our killed and wounded and Second Lieutenant Stocker, of company Cin a contest against such fearful odds, seems almost First Lieutenant Stewart and Second Lieutenant incredible. The secret is, that we were not surMunn, of company D; First Lieutenant Mitchell For the last six weeks we had been vigand Second Lieutenant Ellifritz, of company Eilant day and night, patrolling the country with First Lieutenant Turner, of company F; First Lieutenant Johnston and Second Lieutenant Mc- Scouts, constructing fortifications and digging intrenchments. The hills in the vicinity of our Farland, of company G; Captain Myers and Se- batteries were literally covered with rifle-pits, and cond Lieutenant Elliott, of company H; First the principal roads blockaded with fallen timber. Lieutenant Lenon and Second Lieutenant Mux- General Salomon deserves great credit for these ley, of company I; and First Lieutenant Dale and Second Lieutenant Chantry, of company K. precautionary steps. The enemy had doubtless ascertained with considerable accuracy our nuWere I to attempt a eulogy on their conduct, Imerical strength, but he was badly deceived as to could not say more than that embraced in the the extent of our preparations—one of the most truthful assertion, they did their whole duty. important items in modern warfare. They doubtless expected to find us engrossed with a Fourth Council Bluffs (Iowa) Nonpareil, August 1, 1863. of July celebration, and totally unprepared for In the mean time the enemy had placed a battheir approach; but for once they were caught in tery of two guns in position, with which they a trap, and did not realize their mistake until the opened a brisk fire of shell and grape, and moved deadly volleys from our rifle-pits began to mow rapidly upon us, cheering and exulting as they them down. Our little army was drawn up in line advanced, being partially shielded from view by of battle at daylight in the respective camps, an a fog which covered the hills at that moment. hour before the enemy attacked our pickets, await- Our skirmishers met them with a galling and ining orders from the General Commanding, and in cessant fire, under which they gradually fell a few minutes after the signal gun was fired, each back, resolutely contesting every inch of ground detachment was in the position assigned it, and a as they retired. Our skirmishers advanced steadgeneral fire was opened upon the invading foe.ily and cautiously, and having gained the crest Our pickets behaved gallantly. They fell back steadily, loading and firing until they reached our intrenchments. The gunboat Tyler, the lucky boat of the war, was at anchor in front of the town and joined in the action. The battle, though overshadowed by the brilliant achievements at Vicksburgh, is nevertheless an important one. I think it has given a final quietus to "Price's army," about which we have heard so much during the war. It is to be regretted that our force was too limited to admit of pursuit. We could have wiped out the whole concern. The rebel wounded were treated with the greatest kindness. They were brought into our hospitals during the engagement, and every facility was afforded by our surgeons, assisted by their own, to make them comfortable. We started six hundred and fifty prisoners up the river on the steamer Tycoon before the engagement closed. They left the landing amid the incessant roar of artillery and small arms, laughing, cheering, and swearing. The enemy were well armed, and provided with ammunition of an excellent quality. Our brigade was commanded by Colonel Rice, of the Thirty-third Iowa. He acquitted himself, well. Most of our wounded have been sent North, and it is painful to add that some of them cannot recover, even with the most favorable treatment. Yours truly, THOMAS H. BENTON, Jr. OFFICIAL REPORT. of the hill previously occupied by the enemy, compelled him to abandon his guns, which, after several ineffectual attempts, he subsequently recovered and withdrew, leaving one caisson on the field. My men were under a severe fire for more than five hours, and it affords me the greatest pleasure to speak of both officers and men in terms of the highest commendation for their coolness and bravery during the entire action. I saw no flinching or wavering during the day. It is proper to add that several of my officers and quite a number of my men, who were excused from duty in consequence of physical debility, left their quarters and joined their respective companies when the signal gun was fired. Any invidious distinctions among the members of my command would not be admissible in this report, but I would not do justice to an accomplished officer should I fail to acknowledge the efficient services of Lieut.-Col. R. F. Patterson during the action, and the special obligations I am under for the thorough instruction previously given by him to both officers and men in the responsible duties and obligations of the soldier, the importance of which was so forcibly illustrated on the fourth instant. My regiment was promptly supported by the Thirty-sixth Iowa infantry, commanded by Col. C. W. Kittridge, and was relieved by him a short time before the enemy left the field. The enemy's force in front of our line, so far as I have been able to ascertain, from the most reliable information within my reach, was one brigade of five regiments of infantry, one battery and two regiments of cavalry in reserve, under command of Colonel McCrea. COLONEL: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken in the engagement of the fourth instant, by my regiment. My I regret to have to report that during the enmen were drawn up in line of battle at daylight,gagement the loss in my regiment was seven in obedience to a standing order of Brig.-Gen. F. killed and twenty-four wounded-some of them Salomon, commanding forces in the field, and at mortally (two of whom have since died) and half-past four o'clock A. M., in pursuance of orders many of them severely-among the number some from Col. Samuel A. Rice, of the Thirty-third Iowa of my best and bravest men. The enemy's loss infantry, commanding Second brigade, we march- it is not possible to state definitely, as he suced westward across the bottom at double-quick, ceeded in removing many of them from the field. to a position on the Sterling road. Upon reach- We buried fourteen of his dead and found the ing the point designated, I found that the ene- graves of seventeen more buried by himself, and my occupied the crests of the hills with their brought one of his wounded from the field. skirmishers north of "battery A," commanding I have the honor to be, Colonel, my position. I immediately sent forward two companies of skirmishers to dislodge and drive them back; but finding them too strongly posted, and being directed by Col. Rice to hold the To Colonel SAMUEL A. RICE, position at all hazards, I continued to reënforce the line until eight companies were deployed. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Commanding Second Brigade, Thirteenth Division of Thirteenth Army Corps. |