February 2.
The United States steamer Underwriter, lying at anchor in the Neuse River, N. C., was surprised and destroyed by a party of rebels, who belonged to the forces on the expedition against Newbern.--Admiral Lee's Report.
One hundred and twenty-nine deserters from the rebel army under the command of General Johnston, who had effected their escape during his late movement, entered the provost-marshal's office at Chattanooga, and took the oath of allegiance to the United States.--this morning eleven prisoners and ten horses, belonging principally to the Sixth Virginia cavalry, were captured near Blue Ridge, in the vicinity of Thornton's Gap, Va.--the British steamer Presto, in attempting to run into Charleston Harbor, ran ashore off Sullivan's Island, where she was destroyed by the National fleet.
