September 16.–An expedition from Hatteras Inlet, under the command of Lieutenants Maxwell and Eastman, of the steamer Pawnee, visited Ocracoke Inlet and destroyed Fort Oregon, a fine fortification at that place. The expedition was entirely successful.–(Doc. 51.)
–The gunboat Conestoga captured the steamers V. R. Stephenson and Gazelle, on the Cumberland River, Ky. The Stephenson had fifty tons of iron aboard. The Gazelle was without a cargo.–Louisville Journal, September 19.
–Ship Island, near the mouth of the Mississippi River, was evacuated by the rebels and immediately taken possession of by the National forces.–(Doc. 52.)
–Major French, the commanding officer at Key West, published the following important order; its promulgation caused a vast amount of commotion among the secessionists:
Headquarters U. S. Troops
Key West Florida, September 16, 1861
I. Within ten days from this date all male citizens of the Island of Key West who have taken the oath of allegiance will send their names to these head-quarters to be registered.
II. Within thirty days from this date all the citizens of this island are required to take the oath of allegiance to the United States.
III. At the termination of sixty days all citizens of this island who have failed or refused to take the oath of allegiance to the United States will be removed from Key West. This will also apply to their families and the families of these who have left the island to join the Confederate States.
Wm. H. French,
Brevet-Major U. S. A., Commanding.
–The Washington Grays, Forty-seventh regiment N. Y. S. V., commanded by Colonel Henry Moore, left East New York for the seat of war.–N. Y. Times, September 17.
–There was an interesting ceremony at General Smith’s camp near Washington, this afternoon. Some days ago, General McClellan gave directions that the flags of the Seventy-ninth should be restored to the regiment. This afternoon the regiment marched to the parade-ground of the brigade, for the purpose of receiving the banners, which were escorted to the field by the Third Vermont regiment. The two regiments being drawn up in line, facing each other, the colors were saluted, and then transferred from the Vermont to the Highland regiment. On transferring the banners, General Smith thus addressed them:
Soldiers of the Seventy-ninth: By direction of the Major-General commanding, I restore to your custody the banners of the regiment. Since you have been under my command yon have earned them. I hope that when any opportunity offers you will prove yourselves worthy of them.
The Seventy-ninth then saluted the colors, and a salvo of artillery from Captain Mott’s battery of thirty-two pounders also greeted them. After these ceremonies the troops were reviewed by General Smith, the two regiments warmly cheering each other as they marched from the field.–N. Y. Times, September 17.
–Governor Hicks of Maryland issued his proclamation exhorting the observance of the last Thursday in this month, as appointed by the President of the United States, as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer. – Baltimore American, September 18.
–General Price commenced an attack on the intrenchments at Lexington, Mo., commanded by Colonel Mulligan, this morning. The fight lasted all day, and was very severe. General Price assaulted the works, and was repulsed with severe loss.–N. Y. Herald, September 20.
–The Forty-sixth regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Knipe, left Harrisburg for the seat of war, being the first instalment of the last requisition on Governor Curtin. The regimental colors were presented by Governor Curtin.
The Second Buffalo regiment, under command of Colonel D. D. Bidwell, left for New York.
The Forty-third regiment N. Y. S. V., under the command of Colonel Francis L. Vinton, left Albany to-night for the scat of war. They are a fine body of men, fully equipped and armed. –N. Y. Times, September 17.
–The Provost-marshal’s Police seized over two hundred muskets and a lot of ammunition, to-day, which were found buried in the establishment of Messrs. Egerton & Keys, on North street, at Baltimore, Md. The guns are of Harper’s Ferry manufacture. The Police also seized a lot of muskets at the armory of the Independent Greys, on North High street.–Baltimore American, September 17.
–The Fremont Rifle regiment N. Y. S. V., under the command of Colonel Rudolph Rosa, left their encampment at Turtle Bay Brewery, New York, for the seat of war on the Potomac. –N. Y. Times, September 18.