themselves with an oath upon them, to supprot the Constitution of United States, and the laws of the United States; how they plotted treason against the government, and had stolen all our arms, robbed the treasury, stolen our ships, forts, and arsenals from the government of the United States, and yet they accused me of stealing, when they were the greatest thieves that ever trod on God's footstool. Men complain of Lincoln tyranny, and they talk of the Lincoln despotism. This has been their hue and cry. forward he dies, and if he turns back he dies. Death stares him in the face turn and look which way he will, and the rebel soldier, for want of sufficient food, is pale and haggard, and they look gloomy and disconsolate. The speaker then referred to the determination of the rebel leaders to push this war to the bitter, bitter end, and to use every means in their power to establish their independence; and he would say that the more we do to raise men and support this administration and sustain the government, the sooner will this rebellion be put down. There is no other way but to fight it through. There is no peace on this continent but in the restoration of the Union and in the suppression of this rebellion. Let me say in conclusion, that when I again saw the stars and stripes floating in the breeze, it was a blessed sight; and when we were to be delivered to the United States authorities, my heart beat rapidly. I was nervous and excited. I thought that after all something might come up, and that we might have to be marched back to Libby Prison. I did not fully decide the question then whether I would die on the spot or go back. I tell you to-night, my friends, that throughout the length and breadth of the Southern Confederacy the jails and penitentiaries are full to overflowing. There is not room to put the men. If they had tried me by the law of Virginia, and sentenced me to ten years' imprisonment in the penitentiary in Richmond, they would have had to build a room for me. What is true of Richmond is true of the rest of the South. The jails are full of men who love their country and the stars and stripes; men who would not swear by Jeff Davis; who would not take an oath to support the Southern Confederacy; men who prefer to lie in prison and rot, than support such a government as that; and yet with all this, thousands of good Union men are found in the South besides those who have been imprisoned for their loyalty, or murdered in cold blood. You talk about Lincoln despotism! No man ever lost his life under Lincoln tyranny. I wish you knew something about tyranny. I have seen them come into churches, where men were quietly worshipping, and take Among the many incidents related by the speakconscripts out of the church at the point of the er, we refer to a single instance of an infidel Surbayonet, and force them into the rebel army; take geon, who said that he had never seen but one them away from the house of God-take their passage of Scripture fulfilled in Libby Prison, and sons, brothers, husbands, and march them off to that was, "Seek and ye shall find." After we had camp. That is the way they do down South. been in prison for some time, and had been prayThey conscript everything there: old men, younging for the prison doors to be opened, the Surgeon men, and boys, into the army, and they all have to go, or go to prison. The speaker then referred to the rebel soldiery, and believed that many of them were not true to the South, and only waited for deliverance from their tyranny; and that all over the South, as soon as our armies advanced in sufficient force, thousands of Union men would rise up and assert their allegiance to the old government. ridiculed the idea, and said we had been praying a long time that the prison doors might be Now a word about their pay. These rebel sol- opened, and that we had got no answer to our diers get eleven dollars per month in Confederate prayer; while the prospect was that the surgeons, money, and a barrel of potatoes costs sixteen dol-on account of the great need of their services in lars, a barrel of flour forty dollars. How much the army, would be delivered in preference to can these rebel soldiers do towards supporting chaplains. Yet the prison doors were opened, and their families? Their wages amount to about two and a half or three cents per day for their services, and yet, by the tyranny of their government, they are forced from their homes and their families, into the rebel ranks. the chaplains stepped out, while the surgeons were left behind. I declare to you to-night, my friends, that I believe my deliverance was in answer to the prayers of God's people in my behalf. The speaker urged upon all the value of prayer for the soldiers and the captives, and the necessity of all loyal men doing all in their power to assist in alleviating the sufferings of the soldiers who are fighting the battles of our country. Doc. 11. Some of the men of this country complain about their heavy taxes, and how much they have got to pay to carry on this war. The rebel is taxed one tenth of all that he may raise to support the government, and if the government should need the balance they compel him to sell it to the government for the price that they see fit to put on it. Thus you see they take one tenth without giving anything, and fix their own price on the balance, and pay for it in Confederate money. Should you ever come under such a tyranny as that, you will then know what tyranny is; but God forbid that you should ever be in the condition of the rebels under the Jeff Davis tyranny; and under this tyranny the rebel soldier, if he goes the twenty-second instant, I got under way in ST. JOHN'S RIVER EXPEDITION. this vessel, with the Columbine in company, and proceeded to Picolata, where I had a consultation with General Gordon on the subject of the expedition. It was arranged that I should take two hundred and seventy troops on board this vessel and one hundred on board the Columbine, and proceed with them opposite to Pilatka, and there land them: the Columbine to retain thirty of hers on board as a guard. The steamer Houghton accompanied us with General Gordon and about three hundred men. At 4.15 P. M. we arrived at Pilatka, where the troops were disembarked, and the Columbine and this vessel proceeded up the river. I sent the Columbine ahead, as she was the faster, and the object was to reach Volusia as soon as possible. The Columbine was protected by fifty sand bags and some bales of hay. I enjoined caution on the Captain, and directed him to make the best of his way to Volusia, and take our troops on board if they were there, and return immediately; and if they had been captured to return at once. The understanding between the General and myself was, that I should go on up as far as the pilot could take the vessel, which I thought would be about Brown's Landing, two or three hundred yards above Dunn's Creek. At 7.20 P. M. of the twenty-second instant I came to anchor off Brown's Landing, about two hundred and fifty yards distant, and just astern of us the Houghton anchored. Not knowing why she came up, I took the dingey and went on board to ascertain, when I was informed that the General thought it best that she should be under the protection of this vessel during the absence of the troops. I had scarcely been told this when I was startled by the report of a field-piece fired at the Ottawa. I immediately jumped into my boat and returned to the ship before she had fired a shot in return; but she was all prepared, and in the act of firing. At 7.50 engaged the enemy, and fired by the flash of their guns; we could distinguish nothing else. The enemy had four field-pieces, of from six to twelve pounders I should judge, and fired shell, grape, and solid shot at us and the Houghton. The firing was quite rapid at first and very accurate, but after the third discharge of the one hundred and fifty-pounder rifle they ceased firing entirely, and retreated I presume. This vessel was struck by grape thirty-seven times, and received a shell through the smokestack, carrying away also the mainstay; fortunately there were no casualties. The chain was shipped as soon as possible to get the vessel in motion, as we were too good a target for them. The firing was continued on our side until 9.20 P. M., some time after the enemy had ceased, because I was not certain but what he might be lurking somewhere on the banks, and I spread the fire along the river. At 9.45 P. M. anchored off the mouth of Dunn's Creek. At nine A. M., on the twenty-third, got under way and weighed anchor, which had been shipped. The vessel was not again fired upon. The landing would scarcely be noticed, the woods were very dense, and the undergrowth extends to the water's edge. I do not know whether we inflicted any damage upon the enemy or not, but presume we did, or he would not have ceased firing so soon. I did not feel justified in landing a boat, as it would be in the way if fired upon. It is with pleasure I can testify to the spirited and manly conduct of the officers and men. On the afternoon of the twenty-fourth a messenger arrived from General Gordon, informing me that all had been accomplished by the expedition that could be, and that he wished this vessel to return to Pilatka and embark the troops she had landed there, and that he had sent a messenger to the Columbine to return. I immediately returned to Pilatka, and anchored at 5.20 P. M. I then saw an orderly from General Gordon, informing me that as the Houghton was not there he had concluded to go by land to Orange Mills, and there embark the troops. I remained at anchor all night, with the hope that the Columbine would return, but heard nothing of her. At 11.10 A. M., on the twenty-fourth, anchored at Orange Mills, but found no troops; the General had embarked part of his men on board of the Houghton, and the remainder he had marched across to Picolata. It left me in an awkward position, as the vessel could not float across the flats. I received on board seven stragglers left behind at Pilatka and from Orange Mills, belonging to the One Hundred and Fourty-fourth and One Hundred and Fifty-seventh New York volunteers. On the twenty-eighth instant crossed the flats unassisted, and anchored off Bay Point, agreeably to your order. Accompanying this is a report of ammunition expended in the engagement with the battery. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. LIVINGSTON BREESE, Lieutenant-Commander, U. S. N. Commanding St. John's River Flotilla, Jacksonville, Fla. Commander GEO. H. BALCH, Doc. 12. EXPEDITION TO CUT THE CHARLESTON REPORT OF REAR-ADMIRAL DAHLGREN. SIR: Since my last nothing of importance has occurred. The blockade is maintained as well as it can be with the present force. In the St. John's our positions are undisturbed, attention being given to tracing out the torpedoes which the rebels are so industriously engaged in placing about the channel, and have already resulted in the loss of three transports by the army. On the twentieth Captain Balch writes to me: "From information received, by deserters, it is believed that the force immediately in front of Jacksonville has been much reduced; but whether our force here is strong enough to make an advance is somewhat doubtful." When I returned here, on the twenty-second, from Ossabaw, I found an expedition preparing by General Birney, to ascend a certain stream and sever the railroad. My coöperation being asked, I directed Lieu tenant-Commander Stone to take the McDonough, (Lieutenant-Commander Phythian,) and the Hale, Acting Master C. F. Mitchell, and render whatever aid might be needed. The Dai-Ching, Lieutenant-Commander Chaplin, was to assist as far as circumstances permitted. Two boat howitzers and a detachment of marines were added. The expedition left this place on Wednesday, and early on Friday the army transports returned. I was telegraphed that the affair was a failure, with the loss on the part of the army of a fine transport steamer, the Boston, which grounded under fire, and was destroyed to prevent falling into the hands of the rebels; some lives were lost, and about sixty horses were burned. The Hale and McDonough did not return until the afternoon, not having been informed of the retreat of the troops. The reports of the commanding naval officers show that the gunboats did the part assigned them satisfactorily, and without loss. Lieutenant-Commander Stone was senior officer in command; Lieutenant-Commander Chaplin commanded the Dai-Ching; Lieutenant-Commander Phythian commanded the McDonough; and Acting Master Mitchell the E. B. Hale. I enclose the reports of these officers. Captain Boutelle, of the United States Coast Survey, with his usual zeal, accompanied the gunboats in the Vixen, and skilfully piloted them along the windings of the narrow channel. due regard to the safety of your ship. When the I send you a tracing of the proposed route and points: A. Bennett's Point. B. As far as I think it prudent for you to go. C. The point at which I propose to land two howitzers and a few marines, in case I cannot get up to Willstown with the vessels. Proposed route of General Birney. You will find General Birney on board of the Lieut.-Com. J. C. CHAPLIN, REPORT OF LIEUT.-COM. E. E. STONE. UNITED STATES STEAMER CHIPPEWA, PORT ROYAL HARBOR, S. C., May 27, 1864. SIR: In obedience to your orders of the twentyfourth-instant, I proceeded with the McDonough, Hale, and Vixen, to and up the South Edisto River, as far as Governor Aiken's plantation, on I take this opportunity of making my acknowl- Jehossee Island, at which point I landed the maedgments to the eminent head of the Coast Sur-rines and two howitzers on field carriages, who vey, Professor Bache, for the many advantages which I have derived, while in command here, from the accurate surveys executed by his orders. Their scientific and practical excellence have never been surpassed in any country, and have rendered them invaluable in conducting operations in this quarter. I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Secretary of the Navy. INSTRUCTIONS FROM LIEUT.-COM. E. E. STONE. SOUTH EDISTO RIVER, S. C., May 25, 1964. were ordered to cross the plantation to a point as near Willstown as they could get. I sent a boat to the point agreed upon with General Birney, with the expectation of communicating with him, but was disappointed, no vidette having been found. On the morning of the twenty-sixth, at thirtyfive minutes past seven, I opened with the howitzers on Willstown, and in the supposed direction of the battery, which we afterwards discovered from the window of one of the mills, but entirely out of range. As soon as the fog lifted, the vessels were ordered up as far as it was deemed prudent to go, and fire opened at half past eleven in the direction of the battery and houses at Willstown, by the rifle guns of the McDonough and Hale. After firing for a couple of hours orders were given for the vessels to return to the previous anchorage, and for the marines and howitzers to fall back to the place of debarkation. I despatched an armed boat through Mosquito Creek to communicate with the Dai-Ching, being anxious to learn the cause of a large fire observed to the westward, and the whereabouts of General Birney. On her return, at three o'clock in the morning of the twenty-seventh, I received the melancholy news of the disaster to the steamer Boston, and that the General had returned to Port Royal; whereupon the marines and howitzers were ordered on board, and at daylight we proceeded down the river, en route for this place, where we arrived this evening. For the details of the loss of the Boston, and the part taken by the Dai-Ching, in compliance with my orders, are fully set forth in the accompanying report of Lieu- Your obedient servant, Rear-Admiral J. A. DAHLGREN, REPORT OF LIEUT.-COM. J. C. CHAPLIN. UNITED STATES STEAMER DAI-CHING, SAINT HELENA SOUND, May 21, 1864. ADMIRAL: In obedience to orders from Lieutenant-Commander Stone to cooperate with General Birney, in his expedition to cut the Charleston and Savannah Railroad, I have to report as follows: instances, their clothing. I immediately opened fire from all of our guns, and in a very few minutes silenced the battery. The army gunboat Plato then proceeded to the Boston, we firing occasionally for two hours without a response. I called on the General again, and asked if I could be of service in getting her off, or saving public property. He replied, "No;" that he had already sent one of the Dai-Ching's boats, with one of his own officers up to set her on fire, and requested me to send another in tow of the Plato; however, before she arrived the vessel was in flames, having on board some sixty horses. After the rebels got the range, every shot struck the steamer; fortunately none were killed by the fire of the enemy, but some seven or eight were drowned in their hurried attempt to get on shore. It was supposed she had been struck seventy or eighty times, one or two shots going through her boiler. The colored troops, being in a position where they could not return the fire, seemed to have been panic-stricken, and Mr. Nelson says it was as much as the officers could do to keep them from crowding into the boats and swamping them. At eleven A. M. the General started down to Bennett's Point to embark his troops, as the object of the expedition failed. The Dai-Ching followed to cover embarkation. At two P. M., the troops being all on board the transports, they started down the river; we followed, covering the retreat, and anchored off Otter Island at 3.30. It was the impression of Acting Ensigns Nelson and Sheppard that the Boston could have been gotten off; at all events, the horses might have been saved, as the Plato was alongside of her for some time before she was set on fire, and not a shot fired at them by the rebels. The transports, with the exception of the Boston, arrived here at half past six P. M., May twenty-fifth. I immediately called on General Birney for instructions, telling him I had no pilot, but thought I could find one on Ash Island. He replied, if I did not find one he would send the Captain of the transport Wyoming to pilot this vessel up in the morning; but in the mean time to send the Wild Cat outside to bring in the Boston. All the steamers proceeded up the Ashapoo, with the exception of the Boardman, which grounded near the mouth of the river. The Boston arrived about this time. I sent Acting Ensign Nelson on board the Boardman to render assistance, as he knew the channel; Mr. Nelson afterwards went on board of the Boston to pilot her to Bennett's Point. On his arrival at Mosquito Creek he informed Colonel Montgomery that that was the place where the landing was to be made. Colonel Montgomery, seeing a steamer standing CAPTURE OF THE STEAMER COLUMBINE. up the river, said his orders were to follow. Mr. carry Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. C. CHAPLIN, Lieutenant-Commander. Rear-Admiral J. A. DAHLGREN, Doc. 13. DESPATCH OF BRIG.-GEN. G. H. GORDON. officers of Colonel Beecher's regiment. I informed her commander that I should press forward with my troops in the direction in which she was going; that I would afford him all assistance as soon as I could reach him; that I should not consider the discharge of his artillery as an indication that he was in danger. This was assented to by the commander of the Columbine, who said he would throw up a rocket if he was in danger. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT Of Florida, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, May 27, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have to report that on the night of the twentieth instant I received from Colonel Noble, commanding forces east of St. John's River, information that a force of about fifteen men and one officer had been captured by the enemy, who had crossed the river and surprised the post. On My march was prolonged into night. I accomthe morning of the twenty-first I advanced Col- plished about nine miles, and encamped on the onel Noble a communication, in which I ordered north side of Haw Creek. This creek is impasshim to withdraw his guards from the river oppo-able but by boats. I heard a great deal of firing site Volusia and Saunders. On the night of the from artillery in the direction of the mouth of twenty-first I received another communication Dunn's Creek, but saw no rocket, and had no from Colonel Noble stating that a force less in number than that at Welaka had been captured; that the enemy, reported to be four hundred (400) strong, were said to be pushing northward on the east side of the river. I received the last communication at about eleven at night. In an hour I started for the nearest point to that threatened. I carried with me in the steamer Charles Hough- The garrison at Volusia was safe, no rebels this ton two hundred (200) men from this garrison. side of the river. The two small posts at Welaka At my request Captain Balch ordered two gun- and Saunders captured, shamefully surrendered, boats to accompany me, the Ottawa and little I hear-not a gun fired. I have ordered full resteam-tug Columbine. At Picolata I added to my ports to be made, which I will transmit when reforce six (6) companies of Colonel Beecher's regi- ceived. I found the country people quite excited, ment, and all the available force of the One Hun- and quite confident that the enemy, seven hundred and Fifty-seventh New York regiment, num-dred (700) strong, were at the crossing of Haw bering in all about six hundred and fifty (650) or Creek. Indeed, from reports, I had reason to beseven hundred (700) men. I was obliged to use lieve some truth in this. despatches. I presumed the firing to be the ordinary shelling of the woods by the gunboats. I pressed forward on Monday morning, making that day about thirty miles. I encamped at night at the crossing of Haw Creek. I found Colonel Noble had pushed his infantry four (4) miles farther, and that his cavalry was at Volusia. the naval boats, as well as the Houghton, to On Tuesday morning, the twenty-third, I ditransport the troops. On Sunday, the twenty-rected Colonel Noble to send the cavalry down second instant, I arrived at the landing opposite the country to drive in herds of beef cattle, which Pilatka. My movements had been slightly de- it is well known are going towards rebel armies. layed by time expended at Picolata in filling sand I also directed him to tell the Columbine to go bags (no cotton or hay bales, save one of the lat- down the river, that I had no further use of her. ter, being available) to render the little tug Col- The infantry I ordered to concentrate at camp, umbine less vulnerable. I designed running the nine miles south of St. Augustine, at that place, tug up the river to Volusia to protect that portion and at Picolata. The two hundred of the One if threatened, which I could not doubt from the Hundred and Forty-fourth were ordered to return report of Colonel Noble. Although my march to Jacksonville. My reasons for this disposition, was lengthened by disembarking opposite Pilatka, and my views of the only mode of operating with I did not deem it prudent to convey troops far- infantry in this country of immense distances and ther up the St. John's. The Ottawa was to con- illimitable pine deserts, I have given to the comtinue to the mouth of Dunn's Creek to afford all manding General in a private letter. Having acpossible protection to the Columbine. The Col-complished all I could, I did not deem it advisable umbine was ordered to proceed immediately to to attempt to pursue the enemy across the river; Volusia and afford all possible assistance to the and being totally unprepared to do it, if I had force at Volusia. The Houghton was to await thought it advisable, as I had no boats, and havfurther orders, and was to keep near the Ottawa ing no rations, and no transportation for any with for her protection. I directed my march towards me, I made my way back to the landing at Picothe road from St. Augustine to the crossing of the lata, to take the steamer Houghton to JacksonHaw Creek, thence to Volusia. ville. I reached the river on Tuesday, the twentythird, at about four o'clock P. M. I had sent on the evening of the twenty-first a despatch to Colonel Noble, saying that I should move for this position, and directing him to keep forward to the same point, and beyond if practicable, all his available infantry and cavalry. I have thus stated all the movements ordered and commenced from Saturday night at twelve o'clock until Sunday at four P. M. Before the Columbine started I placed on board of her, at the request of Commander Breese, of the Ottawa, a guard of twenty-five men and two A despatch from the Ottawa, at the mouth of Dunn's Creek, to whom I sent my Aid, gave me the first information that the enemy had opened with artillery on Sunday night on the Houghton and on the gunboat. The Houghton had got under way and proceeded down stream; she was struck three times with twelve-pound solid shot, once amidships and near walking beam. No great harm done. I proceeded to Orange Mills, and there found the Houghton. This morning a re |