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The Official Dispatches
Washington. Feb. 9. —A bearer of official dispatches from the fleet off Charleston has arrived here. The following is from rear admiral Dupont concerning the rebel attack on our squadron off that port:—
Admiral Dupont’s report.
Flag Ship Wabash, Port Royal, Feb. 2.
Sir : I have to report that about 4 o’clock on the morning of Jan. 31st, during the obscurity of a thick haze, two iron-clad gunboats came out of Charleston by the main ship channel unperceived by the squadron, and commenced a raid upon the blockading fleet. Most of the latter were of the light class of purchased vessels; two of the heaviest men-of-war, the Powhattan and the Canandaigua, being at this port coaling and repairing.
The Mercedita was the first vessel attacked. Her officers and crew had been particularly watchful during the night to look out for suspected vessels, and at 3 o’clock had shipped her cable and overhauled a troop steamer running for the channel by mistake. She had returned to her anchorage, and Capt Stellwagen had gone to his room for a short time, leaving Lieut. Commander Abbott on deck, when one of the iron-clads suddenly appeared. Her approach was concealed by the haze and mist of the atmosphere. The vessel was immediately hailed, and an order given to fire, but the iron-clad being close aboard and lying low in the water, no guns could be brought to bear upon her.
Fairfax Court-House, Va, Saturday, Feb. 7, 1863.
A detachment from Companies H and F of the 5th New-York Cavalry, under Capt. Penfield, yesterday made a raid to Middleburg, and at Aldie captured eight of the 1st Virginia (Rebel) Cavalry and the Postmaster at Little Washington. They were on their way to a ball given to them by the citizens of that place, and were fully armed and equipped. Among them were, it is supposed, some officers, but they refuse to disclose their rank. Most of those captured belonged to Capt. Monley’s party, who have been attacking our pickets along the picket lines. They were excellently mounted, and their horses were also captured.
Correspondence of the N. O. Delta.
OFF MOBILE, Jan. 16, 1803.
There was great commotion among the blockading fleet off this harbor last evening. The rebel steamer Oreto, which has been lying in Mobile Bay for some months, succeeded in escaping to sea in presence of seven blockading vessels. The R. R. Cuyler, one of our fastest steamers, immediately gave chase and was gaining on her when the two disappeared in the distance. The Cuyler was firing at her continually during the chase from her long range guns, and as she was gaining rapidly, great hopes are entertained that she will bring the audacious Rebel to. The Oreto is commanded by Maffit, formerly of the United States Navy.
Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.
Indianapolis, Feb. 2, 1863.
On Friday last a small squad of soldiers were sent to a village named Waverly, in an adjoining county, to arrest some deserters. Upon their arrival there they were fired upon by some of the citizens, and informed that the deserters would be protected, and under no circumstances would they be surrendered.