5/46 It was some time since they had ascended as high as Jacksonville, for their orders were strict, one vessel's coal was low, the other was in infirm condition, and there were rumors of cotton-clads and torpedoes. But they gladly agreed to escort us up the river, so soon as our own armed gunboat, the John Adams, should arrive,--she being unaccountably delayed. SIR,--I am informed by Major-General Hunter that he is sending Colonel Higginson on an important mission in the southerly part of his Department. |