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?????? ??? ? I 1 I The New Machine Shops and Ship Yard at Seabrook. We believe that there are comparatively few persons in the Depai tmenfc who are aware that on the banks of Skull creek, near Seabrook's landing, are machine shops, and ship and boat-yards, already second in importance to none south of the Potomac, all the recent growth of a few months. - * ^ -i 1 .--Vi Tliey have sprung up as 11 were m a hiugie iu^ut, under the experienced and vigorous administration of Mr. John H. Mors, Superintending Engineer of the Quartermasters Department, under Lt. Col. J. J. Elw. ll. Though young they exhibit all the energy and vigor of older establishments North, and are as full of promise for the future as the most sanguine could desire. The necessity has long been felt for a properly organized and effective machine shop and ship yard, wherein the repairs to the engines and hulls of the large fleet of transports in government service in this quarter, could be expiditiously and thoroughly accomplished; but a variety of reasons existed why the plan to meet the demands should not be carried out until last spring. At that time Col. Elwell secured the valuable set vices of "if- TaUV w MArr. a practical engineer of ability | and experience, who immediately inaugurated the present movement to place the Transportation branch of the service beyond the need of going out of the department for repairs, to maintain its efficiency aud value. The present location was selected as a proper one for the new machine shop and ship yard, as affording the best facilities for the kind of service just at present demanded. The Creek affords water d^gp enough for vessels of any draft, with bold shores, and protected against the winds from any direction, the harbor - " '- --i being of sufficient size ior au pracuctu piu^uaco. The Machine shop is a building put up for temporary purposes, ab> >ut forty feet square, on the edge of the Creek's bank, and is already supplied with all the more important and requisite machinery necessary for the present wants of the service. It has a small steam engine, whieh supplies the motive power for the entire establishment With * in we find two slide lathes, a planing, drilling, screw cutting and punching machines, shears, and an abundance of tools, which are in constant activity. Adjoining the machine shop is the Black?-wnth if a fnrcres and blasts; and near snmu a buuj?, ?..?,?? ? ?0- it is the Boiler-maker's yard, where new boilers may be constructed, or old ones repaired. Mr. Mobs has organized in connection with the establishment, a novel corps, whose sole duty it is to scale boilers, which they are enabled to do by making it a specialiU, in about half the time usually consumed by the ordinary workmen. Any portion of the motive power of steamers, can be repaired in this establishment in a much shorter time than the same work can be performed in northern shops. The branches of labor are so well defined, and the mechanics are so well organized, that all the work goes on together, and no one gang is compelled to await the movements of another. Time is thus saved, and the best results attained. Tv^nnrations are being made to put in some large forges in the shop, by which means ordinary sized shafts may be forged for steamers: and soon a department will be formed for making castings of all kinds; and if necessary an engine may be constructed here, complete in all its parts. The artisans and mechanics engaged by Mr. Mobs are all first class, and the work turned out will equal that from any northern shop. Near the machine shop is the ship yard, where ordinary repairs to the hulls of vessels can be j made. A number of first class ship carpenters, oiners, caulkers, and spar-makers, as boat builders, have been brought from the North, to labor here; and it is under consideration to build a marine rail-way, in order to haul up on the ways vessels which need coppering, and repairs < to their bottoms, which can not be ordinarily reached by beaching. We already see the banks of the quiet Creek lined with vessels of all classes, from the huge steamship to the little tug boat or schooner, receiving at this naval hospital for decript and wheezy marine vehicles, such aid as Dr. Mobs and his assistants can give; and we can hear the hum of many voices, the noise of the hammer, adze; and saw, and all the sounds of busy life, that make the neighborhood about ship yards so vocal and peculiar. Hereafter the famous East river yards must be looked for in the vicinity of Seabrook, where the commerce of $e South will congregate to repair. It will be of very rare occurrence that a vessel must be sent North for repairs. Everything connected with ships, except building one, can be performed at Seabrook. A vast amount of money will be saved monthly +Vm nnr^mmAnt hv this new establishment, KV IUV -j - and the maintainance of an e4fetiye marine placed beyond a doubt These important results are due principally to Mr. John H. Moss, under whose suggestion they were planned, and by whom, under orders of CoL Elwell, they were carried out to a successful conclusion. We trust that their efforts to establish such improvements will be further extended, and that still more glorious results will bear evidence of the wisdom of the plan. Mr. Davro J. Pollock, a practical mechanic, is General Foreman of the shops and yard. The sub-foremen are as follows:?Machine shop, Mr. Thomas Loob; Boiler maker, Andrew Fyte; Ship carpenters and Boat builders, Mr. Henry W. 11 i.' 1 ?/>/>nn,n1iahni1 men in \\ HEELER; Oil pntCUt'ttl UUU av^wui^iMuvu amvm their respective branches. Another Prize?The Tioga, commanded by A, T. Cleaby, captured the tug-boat Herald off Cook's Inlet, as she was about leaving for Nassau. She had on a quantity of cotton. She was brought into this port last "Wednesday, and has been turned over to the Navy as a wood-boat. We take the following from the New York Herald of the 18th: * J-J I During the last seven days we nave recurueu no less than seven victories for the Union, which give the excellent average of one substantial and decided triumph for our cause per day. These seven victories are not confined to any particular part of the country, nor do they add lustre to the genius of any one general; but they indicate that the United States have servants of ability everywhere, and that for the safety of the country we may fearlessly rely upon the inteligence and honest judgment of the people. First we have the victory at Colliersville, on the Charleston and Memphis Railroad?a neat, decisive and important little fight. While the fight was in progress Major General Sherman, with a portion of the Thirteenth United States infantry, came up on a train en route for Corinth. r>?comi?iv nrwl the reimlarg debarked and IXllUCim uaKi?-A.. -0 . took a hand in the fight, and the rebels were repulsed with heavy loss and pursued towards the Tallahatchie river. Our next victory was in Missouri, in the great border war. For three successive days Shelby's raiders had been pursued bv the Union men, and finally, on Tuesday last, thcv were brought to battle* by General Bbown, near Marshall, in Saline county, and decisively routed, with a loss of all their artillery, a part of their train, and a great many small arms. Earlier in the war this fight would have received more attention than is accorAaA /* it nntr | UV/U W iv MV ??? 1 Another of the seven was the victory of the rear guard of the Army of the Potomac?composed of the Second corps?over the rebels of Lee's army at BrLstoe Station. General Wabhex's force was struck in flank while on the line of march, but was put into position with singular promptitude ana gained a handsome victory, with four hundred and fifty-seven trophies. * Four hundred and fifty of these were rebel soldiers, five were rebel field pieces and two were the colors of rebel regiments. Our other four victories were inflnately greater ones than these. They were won in the four States of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Iowa. They were the victories of the people over an enemy more dangerous than the Southern soldiers, and they are not surpassed in grandeur by any four victories our armies have won. Camp 9th Maine Vols., ) Morris Island, S. C., Oct 12th, 1863. [ Dr. S. F. Elliot, Surgeon, U. 8. V Sib We have learned with regret that the Department is about to lose your valuable services, and we consider this a fitting time to testify our respect toward one, who by his abilities ana untiring exertions, and gentlemanly qualities, has endeared himself to the officers and men of this Regiment We shall ever recall with the liveliest feelings of pleasure your connection with our ? - ? ?j cvm Regiment as surgeon, anu mau tt? tmu uugcvu of oar Brigade, commanded by the lamented General Strong. For your gallantry at the storming of the Batteries on Morris Island, and your bravery and brotherly kindness to the wounded, exhibited under circumstances of the greatest danger, in the assault on Fort Wagner, on the 18th July, accept our gratitude. Be assured that in whatever field of usefulness you may be placed, our most earnest wishes for your prosperity will follow you. We remain, Dear Sir, Very Respectfully Yours, Z. H. Robinson, Lt CoL Chas. A. B books, Captain. , Billings Brastow, 1st Lieut. on behalf of the officers of the 9th Me. Port Royal, S. C., Oct 16th, 1863, Gentlemen Yours of the 12th inst has come t/\ hand, and adds one more to the many eviden ces of your kind regard, for which I am so deeply indebted to your regiment. To thank you only, for so many favqrs would seem a cold return if it were in my power to make any other. At present it is not?except ever to remember my obligation #in the future to Continue to deserve your good opinion. The service you have rendered your country is amply attested by the lafge number of your killed and wounded. This mournful jecord also affords most ample evidence of fehejortkude and bravery of the other five regimeR^ which with yours, composed the Brigade of our valliant and indomitable General Geo. C. Strong; the leading of which, on that most vaunted stronghold of the enemy?Morris Island?(under the skillful direc tion of the General commanding this Department,) is rewarded by a Nation* 4 gratitude. The gallant deeds of General Stboxo's Brigade on the evening of the 18th of July, are known to our whole country. That night is a part of its history. Let us cherish the memory of our lost companions in arms, to whom the sunset of that night was the sunset of life!?though on the morrow a sun illumined their memory which shall continue with a glorious brightness so long as valor and patriotism shall be esteemed virtues nmong men. I remain, gentlemen, with sentiments of high regard, your obedient servant, S. F. ELLIOT. Lieut. (Joi. L. 11. jkobikbos, Capt. Chas. A. Brooks, 1st Lieut Billings Brastow, on behalf of the officers of the 9th Me. ARRIVAL OF THE* STEAMSHIP ARAGO. Four Days Later News From the North. The steamship Arago, Capt Gadsden, arrived at this port yesterday morning. She brings New York dates of the 19th. We are indebted to Mr. Gbautegein, purser, for favors. By the Arago we have news of a movement in the rebel army of the Potomac. The opinions as to its present position, entertained in Washington, are various and conflicting. That Lnr. has not gone to the Upper Potomac seems to be the prevailing idea, while, on the other hand, a fresh raid intn Pennsylvania and Maryland is reglfrded as almost certain. General Meade's position, however, secures the protection of Washington. Indeed it is intimated that his forces are now within the lines of defence, or at all events so posno fho <onr>itrt.l Rpwirp. On Satnrikv ICU OO IV AVUV4VA VMV J ? ^ night Mosby made one of his daring raids, getting between the rear of the army and our forces for the defence of Washington. A cavalry picket of the latter, consisting of eleven men, was captured on the Chantilly road, near Fairfax, three of whom succeeded in making their escape. Mosey, with two hundred and fifty men, was said to be between Fairfax Court House and Washington on Sunday morning.