The Exploits of the C. S. Naval steamers.
The steamer
Robert E. Lee, which has just run into
Wilmington, N. C., from
Bermuda, brings us some very agreeable intelligence from the steamers
Florida and
Alabama Since last heard from she has captured the ships
Aldebaran,
Oneida,
Henrietta,
Crown Point,
Red Gauntlet,
Sunrise, and the schooners
V. H. Hill,
Wm. B. Nash, and
Hull.
The last four were captured within 60 miles of New York. Independent of this, the expedition that left her in the
Tacony, under
Lieut. Reed, destroyed twenty-seven vessels on the
New England coast.
The deaths on the
Florida since her last report are
Paymaster Lynch,
Surgeon Grafton, (who was drowned,) James Sudley, steward;
John Johnson,
John Lonman, and
Isaac White.
The
Florida went to
Bermuda to coal and to land sixty prisoners she had aboard.
When she went into port on the official salutes were exchanged with the
British authorities on shore.
She has $125,000 in silver in the ship's chest.
A letter from one of the officers of the ship gives an account of her chasing the U. S. steamer
Ericsson, sent out after her, within sixty miles of New York harbor It says.
We ran down until we saw the
Yankee colors flying from her peak. "All hand" were then called to quarters.
After manœuvring about half an hour, she finally ran down to us As soon as she was near enough we hauled down the
English colors, (which were flying at the time,) and showed to their view the "Stars and Bars," and at the same time gave her a broadside.
Her men ran from their after pivot and sought protection behind the ship's bulwarks.
But the weather was in their favor, for just then the fog came down so dense that the
Ericsson could not be seen, so all we could do was to wait till it cleared up. But judge our astonishment when it did up, to see the
Yankee about five or six miles ahead of us and traveling for
Sandy Hook. --Now it was we felt the need of good coal.--Our brave
Capt Martit offered $1,500 for 15 pounds of steam, but we could not get but 8 and 10 pounds, although we used pitch and rosin.
All hands were anxious to catch her, for she had been sent out to catch "rebel cruisers," but she caught a Tartar this time.
But we had the pleasure of burning two vessels under her nose.
The
Alabama and
Georgia were at Babia, coaling, when last beard from.
During the stay of the
Alabama her officers were invited to dine with some of their English friends on shore.
Capt. Sammes made a speech in reply to the toast, "Welcome to the strangers."
