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V^~ y ? ?. ?tVt4 - . . - 1 "#7- . V-V ?.*'? . .<- ?: ' .i~ .- . ,.? .] . .- "' - ^ - J .'l. *' ?* ?? i.t ^ n ?r a a n m u t HJ r. r.- u o u u i n.; 46& H. SEARS, Editor and Proprietor. * wiF i7?yau s\Juki>av, FEiTft). itm. j H *~rm-iL jjl L-Wi^j - uuu mf-iu-gj<rigjtn^^ THE FLORIDA^EXPEDITION. 1 SAFE ABKITil. OF Tff? TROOPS AT . . . THE AUVA.\CX ISTU THE 1MTEKIOX OUR FORCES WITHIN TWO MILES OF LAKE CITY, j Over On* v.tj a Ila1/ 'MHIUjiis of Properly Capixrnl and Destroyed. f Brilliant Cavalry Charge I An Immense Supply of Cotton, Turpentine,; and Camp and Garrison Equipage Fsl! into our Hands. * * } Til b. EXP ED ITIOS S UCi E&SFUL! S Jacx?-:jyu.:jl Tlx., Monday, February lGth. lsSL TH* CSPABTTUK. * He profoundly eocrei did Qen. Qtluiobi keep hie deeifoe, that but three or four pefeone in the whole depart* xuant wive buiiaeil knew a day in advance that an expedition was really on foot for the levaaion of Florida. ?ven the Chief Quaneruuwtfr as"! the Medical Director were takes ... i - ? 11^..1 nW<.t rviMitAfViia t/\ WaiVa OJ Ittryntf *? liV'H c ?ii; a u^/u ?aiv u^uv j^ifFivw fw the requisite asraagoiaente for the transportation of the j troops* sod the proper attendance of those who should requite medical assistance. On the morning of the Cth inst., twenty steamers sad eight schooners ladened with troops, ammunition and provisions, lay off Port Royal harbortn.comph-torradim.ws tosaiL Among the vessels was the Maple Lmf, tits one which Gen. bancoca, ths ComroM .ir of the expedition, had selected for his flag-steamer. At 12 o'clock noon, all the vessels had left the harbor and , were oa their way So T?<i"pon elite, Fts. 'hot the fcait accident occum-d to any of the vessels on the transit. The Maple Leaf mm* ths third to enter the month of the St. John's River, end In going op the stream she took the lead, followed by twelve others, ths remaining vessel^ of ths fleet having been detained, some in consequence of passing over the bar, and not a few on account of the large nornber of troops they had on board which Impeded their progress. At 9 A. M.. Sunday the ascension of the river was comUMBmd, the gunboat Ottawa which had been doing blockade duty off its month, preceding some distance in the sdramfe. It would be superfluous at this time to describe the appear nee of the country on each side of the river. That vnu done when we made a similar expedition laat March, to It wffi saffloe to state that, aa a general thing, the land presented at intervals an agricultural aspect while the intermediate apace* were covered with a heavy growth of pine trees. Occasionally a rtqriflhrove of cattle could bo seen, which was an indication mkt the interior probably contained large droves. A very few people only, were observed in or about the houses. Ae the fleet neared its point of destination a large number of burnt saw-mills were passed. . At 8 P. 1L, the MupU LeaJ touched the pier at JACKDONVUXS. Met a moment elineed 'era Companies A. B. and D. of I the Mtfc Xau., regiment (colored) sprang upon the pier, ftraicd In line tnd marched up to the first street. In quick accession the other vessel* mad* last, and, with as much lhpickty aa possible, disembarked their troops. The propalkr Bmmtide with Co. C, Independent Battalion MassaCavalry on board was the third to make tut her hawser. The Cavalry immediately got aahore, and in five minutes time were ready to make a charge. The steamer General Hunter was the second to reach the pier?while she waa making teat her ropes, a rebel picket who waa stationed in a ehnnp of trees npt fir from the pier fired a shot which aeveraly wounded Mr. Nonius, the second-mate. It waa asoertainod from two or three citisens in the town that the enemy did not number over twenty men. Our Cavalry under Capt Bat, formerly lieutenant of Co. C. dashed out * lxt pursuitof tbe rebels who were fleeing at a rapid .pace toward their camst eight milee beyond. Five miles out ear force came upon a signal station and snaceeded in cap mring nve men wun uieir signal utensils, ana material. One of the men wu a Sergeant Nothing farther of imporfence occurred that night From farmer descriptions the public are doubtless familiar with the general. appearance of the town of Jackaonvttlet At proaoat it ia in as extremely dilapidated ?ondition. many of the building* having been burnt and not a small number torn down. Mr. Bcjuil, an old resident of the place, has managed to keep his property from the 5 ends of the spoilwrs. Notwithstanding *-' ' "' ' ?? be #j nrxUhLzee with the Union c*ukc lie hab had the good fortune to eiy'oj the-Mhriiege ol remaining at hoiu? where it wm mrrooadod Ky^eboli. w ' to* army advancer. . * UJJjI'M., on Monday the 8th. th- army advanced from J? Mfcfetvijl*. fdlorin;; the line <1/ tV lioriA* Ontral IteSxMkL * TUrfon*>j?w divided into three col u nm* ; Col. Hksby t&mnand -d HJb center. t\>L IIabtok 1I>o len, ana CoI^awlky the right. Different-roods were taken, all uf 1"kidi united Hi a point three miles from Jacksonville. This point was reach*! at da A. and it whs intended origieg* to precede fnrtlK-r that night. Thru: miles in advance wo* * Mdj^WwiUt a smuTl str>-um. Here it was expected a fiifct irovM take place. Coi. Hs*ry, having expressed an earnest desire to take his cavalry and artillery end go forward on a recoonoiasxnce, received order* from lien. Skvuocb to proceed and use his own judgment The column passed the creek without meeting the enemy, when two tnilas beyond the* creek they came within sight of ~ .camp vsnuus. The advance guard of four men which CoL Hknrx kept during his entire ma&b up the country was sent forward to reconnoitre the enemy's position. They rods sufficiently n? ar to perceive about "2* K) of the enemy drawn np in Bne cf battle awaiting the rhjftge of our cavalry. The camp was on the right of the woo? and near the railroad and could be i aaily flanked. CoL Hrxby did not hesitate to leave the rebels in his rear and proceed to Ten Mile Run, also a point on the railroad at which the enemy had a battery camp. It must be remembered the night was extremely dark, and in many places the road was rough and circuitous. JU - U gjfdick, CiJHjad of the column came up to within a few yard* ox the Bun. On the way up a picket station had been charged ami flvs prisoners captured. The men at the Bun numbered 150, and could be seen by the light of the camp tkAla Kovofte awwt oniHntr fM/lv in u* t o, lu^u u\'*mro hum ? their bsjjgige by a train of cars which was expected down from Lake City at L2 o'clock that Bight. But the/ were disappointed. CoL Hxbby at the head of the lnd< pendent Baiulioa made a CHAMB upon the camp, and in three minutes time had completely surrounded it The sound of the bugle warned the rebels of their danger and they escaped to the Woods. They left, however, in onr pos-wuaton two rifled ld-ptmnder and two 8-pounder guns. Our force also captured four caissons filled with ammunition, four wagons, fifty hones and mules, an immense quantity of camp and garrison equipage and a large list of of&cars' baggage. They also took six prisoners, including a telegraph operator with his instrument Before Ids capture the oneraior hadttow b>>-$nd a despatch to \ tmkf fvtytSfo from coming to Ten Mile Bun. At 4 A. 1L. Tuesday^ CoL Henry started again in the advance. He entered Baldwin without opposition at 6 o'clock. Baldwin is a station on the railroad, situated tw enty mile* from Jacksonville. It 1b made op of a dozen or fifteen hem see including the railroad depot, a hotel and a tore-bouse. The amount of 3 s ncnu taken In this place U enormous?On the track ware found three ears, one of which supported a 3-inch gun, ready loaded, and a caisson filled with ammunition?the othar cars contained corn?on the platform near the depot were 43 bales ?f cotton, and still forther up the railroad 13 additional bales were discovered. The depot itself contained a vest quantity of rebel goods. Among the heavy articles captured were 83 barrels turpentine, 13 tierces rice, IS sacks flour, 30 hloClellan saddles, t bales cotton sheet. log, 40 box?s tobacco, to say notnmg or toe ordnance store* and camp equipage. Tbe column retted at Baldwin nn?U 9 o'clock. Wedneaday morning, and then pushed on toward Sanderson. When four mile* out of Baldwin they chine acroaa a building that contained 1,000 barrels of turpentine, and 500 pounds of bacon. Ten miles from Baldwin a place called Barber's was reached?three-fourths of a mile beyond waa tbe South Fork of tbe 9t. Mary's river, and hers the ftiat exntwisa took place. About 154 rebels had posted themselves on the opposite aide, and when ear column advanced down the road toward the river they opened fire with their muskets. Cel. Hxnry ordered his advance to retire until he could get the 40th Make, regiment dismounted atfd in at the point It did not take long to coneumate this movement, and before the enemy knew what was going on he was receiving a fire an his left flank; this was too much for the kebels and they scattered to the woods leaving on the ground one kiilo* and two severely wouuded. Their horses, numbering about fifty, were found tied to trees. We had three killed and ten wounded; the following are their names: Sergt. C. C. Conklins. Co. A. 4'Hh Mass.. killed: Thomas Bean. 0*. A, Independent Battalion, killed; Thoiuas Cahiil, Co. lad. Batt, killed; Corp. Bartlett Co. A, Ind. Batt., since dead; R. Borne, Co. C, Ind. Batt since dead. Wounded Ind. Batt Kue Cavalry : E. Pasho, Co. C, arm; Geo W, Hunkine. Co. C, hand; Geo. Hutchinson, Co. C, arm: Geo. K. Ferrand, Co. B, thigh; Frank Biatadeli, Co. B, acalp; F. F. Howland, Co. A, arm; Cierson, Co. A, iOtfcMaes., thigh; Chas. E. Lee, Co. A, 40th Man. arm. The wounded were taken to a house on this elde of the riTer, when they received proper medical attendance. The colnmn left the South Fork at 1 p.m., and dashed into Sanderson st p.m. Three large fcnUdiugs used b;r ! the rebel rnminlwy were in flusri, baTing been fired hat i fifteen uiiuutee prior to the entrance el our troops 11110 iw* ; place. A train of car* having on board a company of I cavalry troop* backed np to Lake City abottt the tame time. The burning buiMiog.s consumed S.itOO bushel* df own. , and 2.0UQ barreldof turpentine, besides a large quantity of supplied In the railroad depot, were found 2nd bags ??t salt ej.d 3'ty t>f cats?<"ol. li*Nit it alined leie tfil 'i i o'eWk, Thursday morning,' and then took up the haw of' j march for Lake City?twenty-five mile* ahead, and CO miles : from Jacksonville by the lailreud. When within two miles ; of Lake City he discovered the eneiuy had posted a strong line of skirmishers a mile in langth directly in his front. | One company of the 40th was dismounted and sent Into the woods as skirmisher, while a company of the Independent ! Battalion advanced tow rd the hoe. A desultory firing ensued which lasted half an hour. Col. liKXitY thought it advisable, in consequence of his f mail force, to fall back a short distance ami swait infantry rtinft rccments. The order to fall boek was given, and the retrogadc movement conducted leisurely and orderly. In this skirmish the enemy lost two killed and several wounded. Our force bad ' three slightly wounded. CoL Hkkhy retired to a distance of five miles, and bivouacked for the night. The enemy did not follow in force, only a few scouts were observed on tho Jhuik and rear. Deserters who came into the catnp that n ght state that lhs rebels evacuated the place and went to Madison while our msn were coining this way. The rebel General Fixnigax is represented to have baeu deathly frightened. The next morning, in obedience to orders. Co}. Hkvry took hfM command to Sanderson, to * Inch place Gen. Sltmoub with a body of inlantry had previously repaired. Pi nee that lima nothing of importance in active movements has transpired. The troops under Cob Basics marched to Camp Finnigan the mcrn. ing alter CoL IIknby passed?here they captured asothxb ocx, \ e quantity of sabres, carbines, and pistols, beside a full supply of camp equipage and private property?all the property was packed in readiness to be transferred to the cars end taken to Lake City. At a point on the river two miles from Camp Finnigan lay the blockade runner St* Mary, which tho captain had been endeavoring to get to sea for several weeks. The cargo consisted of 275 bales of cotton. When CoL Hinet advanced toward Camp Finnigan, the rebels took out the cotton, firad H, and scuttled the steamer, sinking her in deep water. A email field gun stationed on a hank near by was taken by our men. fix of the crew came in the next day and took the oath of allegiance, lbs remainder will probably fcJUw the example. ^ a llcoxxoisanck up the St. John's river by the steamer i\VBy Baker, s distance of 35 miles from Jacksonville, to a place called Qrccu Cove Spring was highly fruitful. Medical Director Bwm wae in command of the force o board, which amounted to not quite one company. The object waa chiefly to select a favorable location for a hospital, although some attention was paid to rebel movements. At Green Cots Spring thsro are three hotels, each capable of holding 200 guest*. There is also a magnificent sulphur spring, surronsded with bath hcttaes. Dr. Swtrpiae decided to make this place a convalescent hospital. Ihe Aeily Baker brought back 18 bbls. sugar, 14 bbis. turpentine, and 3 bbls. rosin; all of which was taken from the principal hotel. On Saturday the Cutn/ituininn went nn the name ftirer tan milus hernnd t.i I ilatkii?the troops did not land. TBC COitFLETZ ICCi'fJI of the expedition cannot be questionocL It la estimated by compete aLaudges that over one and a half million dalUrt worth of rebel government property Las been captured and destroyed. The intention it undoubtedly to make Florida a permanent occupancy. Tlie towns of Jacksonville and Baldwin, and the station called Barber's are being strongly fortified. The telegraph is in operation froiu Jacksonville to Sanderson. A iRun of cars will be running In a day or two. By holding Florida, we take from the rebels, according to their own acknowledgement, their main source of sub sisteuc* fur their army. Another Account. BAldwix, Duval cocntt, PlAlWUi.1 February Utb, b>-i. J [Correspondence of Ths Few South.] The army under Gkn. T. Savjtocn, arrived at this place yesterday ; the cavalry under CoL Hussy, preceding us, arriving at daylight. In order tu give you eome account of the expedition, ita lauding at Jacksonville, its advance tu Cvnp Trntpan, and ita march here, I must look buck a few days. The tranapoita, enumerating twanty-seven Steamen, left Port Eoyal oa in* eta ; reacuou we oar uu ?k wwuu?, w* uu morning at daylight. The flag-steamer Maple Leaf, with Ob*. Sxtmouk and Staff, took the laad up the St. John's river? was the first to laad at Jacksonville. Just as we seared ths wharf the Gen. Hunter came up and was casting off her line* at ths pier above us, when the Rebel Cavalry pickets fired upon us, perhaps twenty shots, one of which struck Mr. Koerii, Second Mate of the Gen. Hunter; passing through his shouldor. The wound was ssvere. though