February 16, 1863, The New York Herald
We learn by intelligence from Roanoke Island the important facts that the rebels are contemplating a raid upon the troops of Capt. Foster at that point, which may take place at any moment. It appears that the rebels have 125 small boats secreted in the bayous and creeks of Tyrrel and Hyde counties, by means of which they intend to take their troops, eight hundred in number, across the river and made a dash upon the government property on the island. Captain Porter has notified General Foster of the danger of his position, and unless reinforcements are sent to him, his garrison may be captured.
From the Army of the Potomac it is stated that the rebels continue to erect breastworks and dig rifle pits. There have been further heavy rains there, and the roads are, consequently, as bad as ever. General Hooker is issuing furloughs to the men at the ratio of two in every hundred.
We give today a most interesting account of the proceedings of the Alabama, the reception of Captain Semmes at Kingston, Jamaica, and the curious and exciting incidents which arose from that ovation. A map of the harbor of Fort Royal, Martinique, shows very intelligibly the mode by which the Alabama escaped the blockade of the United States steamer San Jacinto. There was a pretty row at Kingston between two merchants concerning the purchase of some United States Treasury notes from Semmes, which he had seized on the steamer Ariel, the quarrel resulting in personal violence.
By the arrival of the Empire City from Key West we get particulars of the loss of the steamer Swan, with seventeen of her crew and passengers, and of the chase of the privateer Florida by the Sonoma.
Two rebel schooners, the Pelican, with eighty-two bales of cotton, and Break o’ Day, with one hundred and forty-two bales of cotton arrived at the Belize, Honduras, after running the blockade at Mobile on the 23d and 25th December. The latter reports being chased by two cruisers. They ran out in a dark night.
Considerable excitement was caused in Baltimore yesterday by the display of a strong secession feeling on the part of the congregation of the Biddle Street Methodist Church and another place of worship, because the Union flag was hoisted over the buildings.
Our dates from the city of Mexico are one week later than previous advices. They show that while the Mexican nation is putting forth the most vigorous efforts for the defence of their country, the movements of the French invaders are characterized by anything but the dash and rapidity of movement which General Forey promised in his proclamation. The Emperor’s direction, to act promptly and decisively, is apparently being carried out by the rule of inverse proportion. There had been several skirmishes between the Mexicans and French, in which the former have come off victorious. The attack on Puebla, so often deferred, has again been put off, and in the meantime the Mexican Commander Ortega is making it a sort of Sebastopol. The French trains and outposts continually suffer from the depredations of guerillas and the fearful lassoo of the wild Mexican. More than 1,200 French mules have been taken by these men. The news is of considerable interest.
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