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LT H Brown, USS Dumbarton writes CAPT B F Sands, Western Bar Division, Wilmington, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, "I have the honor to report that at 6 hours and 40 minutes last night, Bald Head light bearing N. E. ½ E., Bug light N. ½ E, this vessels head being in a W. by N. direction, going ahead under one bell, saw a flash of a gun and heard a report, bearing N. by W.; immediately after a rocket was fired in a westerly direction from the same point. We started ahead under full speed, steering W. by S. for about six or eight minutes, when we saw a large side-wheel steamer, with two smokestacks and two masts, about two points on our starboard bow. The bow pivot was immediately fired at her which made the runner turn around W. S. W., bringing her right ahead of us, about 300 yards off; we now fired a rocket right ahead, which burst directly over the runner, revealing her so distinctly that for an instant we thought we could see men on her deck. The runner now turned his head S. S. W. and fired a rocket from his stern in a westerly direction. We immediately fired another rocket, which, however, exploded on our own deck. By the time we got another rocket ready the runner was bearing south. We fired a rocket over her, which again illuminated her for an instant. The runner now fired a second rocket in a westerly direction. All this time we were keeping directly astern of the runner, firing our forecastle pivot at her. She was, however, gaining distance all the time. I ordered pine wood to be thrown on the fires when the chase first began, in order to raise the steam, but we were unable to get it above 15 pounds. At about 7 hours and 20 minutes p. m. two blockaders kept firing on our starboard quarter, and we were making a great deal of black smoke, and, thinking they were chasing us, I ordered a light to be hung over our stern. But this did not seem to have the desired effect, as they still kept up the firing at intervals of some five or ten minutes. All this time we were steering S. by E. with the runner in full sight, but gradually gaining distance from us. As we were making a great deal of black smoke, and as the firing was still kept up on our starboard quarter, at 7:50 I ordered Costons signal No. 8 (being the challenge for the night) to be burned, which was immediately answered by two vessels bearing N. W., which had the desired effect, for there was no more firing in that direction that we could hear or see. At 8 o'clock p.m. the chase was hardly visible; at 8:15 p. m. she was out of sight altogether. We now hove the log, and found the ship was going 10 knots per hour. At 9 o'clock p. m. we turned around and returned to our station, as I judged it useless to chase a vessel so very much our superior in speed any longer. At this time we judged ourselves to be about 23 miles off land, Bald Head light bearing N. ½ W.; at 11:30 got back on our station. In conclusion, I most respectfully beg leave to state that if there is any such thing as hitting a vessel at night the runner in question must have gotten several shots into her, as she was at one time not over 300 yards distant."

RADM Jonathan Dahlgren, South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, writes SECNAV "I beg leave to acknowledge having received the Department's communication of the 6th instant, enclosing copy of a dispatch to the State Department, dated the 24th ultimo, relative to the arrival and departure of blockade runners at and from the blockaded ports, in which I observe that Charleston is included.
    I regret to say that this represents about the best that can be done with the present force, when taken in connection with the blockade runners that have been driven back or destroyed. The Prince Albert, Mary Bowers, and the Constance have been stranded and sunk, as well as a fine large steamer which was driven ashore on the shoal side of the channel opposite Sullivan's Island on the 22d instant. The latter was principally effected by the picket boats.
    I have been compelled for the want of something better to organize two divisions of these, and they, with the tugs, run close in by the batteries at night, at the risk of being pelted with grape.
    The tug Amaranthus has just been sent down for repairs, an 8 or 10 inch shot having passed through her, and not far from her boilers.
    In this connection I have also to acknowledge the receipt of the communication in regard to a design for passing in troops to reinforce the rebels.
    I beg leave to say that the blockade of some of the ports south of Ossabaw is very weak, such as St. Catherine's, Doboy, Altamaha, and St. Simon's, where the main channels are each held by a single sailing vessel, as the Department will see by the semimonthly returns, while on each side is a wide scope of water, accessible to light-draft steamers, such as run into Charleston. At Sapelo and St. Andrews are steamers.
    The blockade at Charleston monopolizes all the best vessels, and the continued service there keeps many of them under repair.
    At this time, when most needed, four of the finest steamers are here in the hands of the mechanics: The Canandaigua, Pawnee, Pontiac, and Nipsic; also the Dai Ching and three large tugs, Amaranthus, Sweet Brier, and Camelia. The Laburnum has broken a fan of her propeller; and when these return, others demand attention.
    The Cimarron is doing duty with one boiler, and when the James Adger goes I lose the best seagoing steamer, nearly as fast as the Pontiac and Mingoe, but capable of keeping the sea in any weather, and can carry at least thirty days coal.
    Georgetown will also require more force, as I have information that a gunboat is building in the Pedee, and may be expected down before long, said to carry eight guns, two of them heavy; so the Pawnee or Canandaigua must go there to blockade her.
    I had contemplated a move on the Georgetown batteries, and had examined the locality with a view thereto, but Commander Colvocoresses, whom I had designed to bear a chief part, and had made the preliminary examination, being withdrawn, and then the Wabash with her large crew, I found it beyond my means."

RADM S K Stribling, East Gulf Blockading Squadron,writes SECNAV "I have the honor to inform you of the destruction of a valuable and extensive Government (rebel) fishery on Marsh's Island, north of the Ocklockonee River, by an expedition from the U. S. S. Stars and Stripes, Acting Volunteer John Sherrill, commanding.
    I enclose the report of Lieutenant Sherrill, giving a detailed account of the expedition. The happy issue of this enterprise, resulting in the destruction and capture of a large amount of rebel property and the capture of 16 Confederate soldiers, without any loss on our side, reflects credit on the officer in charge, Acting Master George E. Hill, and I heartily concur with Lieutenant Sherrill in recommending his promotion.
    I also recommend Acting Ensign 0. S. Roberts to the favorable consideration of the Department, as he has been represented as a very worthy officer. The prisoners have been delivered to the army authorities."

RADM David Glasgow Farragut, West Gulf Blockading Squadron, writes MGEN E R S Canby, USA, Military Division of West Mississippi "In the course of catechising two men who deserted from Mobile, machinists, working in the ordnance department, one of them, who appeared to be an intelligent man and not overwilling to say more than he could well avoid, in reply to my question, what had become of Generals Gardner and Higgins, said it was understood in Mobile that their business was to erect batteries at suitable points on the Mississippi River to interrupt commerce. I remarked, "You mean to help the enemy across the river?" He said: "Yes, sir; that is also a part of their work."
    I learn by Commodore Palmer's letter that you no longer feel under any apprehension, as there are a sufficient number of gunboats up the river. I think the commodore will always be able to send one or two in case of necessity. The sickness has cramped him a little by killing off our engineers. I hope the fever is over, however.
    I enclose you one of your New Orleans papers, which appears to me to be a pretty strong rebel paper. It purports to be the organ of the French-American population. No doubt it is, and its sympathies are pretty manifest.
    I am watching with great anxiety the movements of your army up the river. One of our officers, just escaped from Texas, came down the Red River and informs me that the rebels are fortifying its banks very strongly."

1st LT, Samuel M Kneeland, 18th Michigan Infantry, Assist Adjutant-General, District of Northern Alabama " The general commanding desires that you move up the river with your vessel at once, reconnoitering the banks very thoroughly, especially about Whitesburg, where it is reported the enemy will attempt a crossing.
    Please forward immediately any information of importance you may obtain."