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LCDR Phelps, US Coast Survey ship Corwin writes to SECNAV of the alleged depredations by his crew of Doctor Stewart's house that the building was abandoned by the family. He waited two days before seeing signs of life, when a rocket was shot off and he sent an armed boat in to discover what was was going on. "On the landing of the party they discovered two or three negroes, and as they approached the door, which was open, were met by a mulatto woman, who invited them in and informed the officers that the house was owned by Dr. Robert Stewart, and at the commencement of the war the family had moved with nearly all of their effects to the hall, situated about 1 mile inland, and that she was left in charge as housekeeper. After cautioning the party not to molest anything the officer proceeded to examine the rooms, finding only a few pieces of furniture and a few miscellaneous articles of little or no value. In the library he discovered a lot of blue lights and signal fires, an old spyglass, and a parcel of old ragged novels, reports, and periodicals scattered over the floor, and in the cellar, the door of which was open, about one dozen sacks of wheat ready for transportation, firearms, three kegs of nails, and a barrel of oil apparently, by its marks, recently received from Baltimore. In a short time the party returned to the boat, when the housekeeper appeared with a picture, which she claimed to have the right to dispose of, and asked $2.50 for it. The officer offered her that amount in United States currency, which she refused and accepted a $5 Confederate note which the officer had obtained as a curiosity at West Point, Va. Immediately after this transaction Mrs. Stewart rode up in an excited state, dismounted, seized the picture, reprimanded the woman for daring to sell the Yankees anything, and informed the purchaser that he should not have it at any price, and for several minutes refused to return the note. The officer next enquired if she would not sell him a few chickens and eggs, when she commenced a violent tirade against the United States and the Yankees, and stated that if she was overflowing with provisions and a Yankee ship was starving she would not sell them a dollars worth; that she and her husband were secessionists and she gloried in it, and Dr. Stewart was the most violent secessionist in the State and she thanked God for it, and if they sold the Yankees a cents worth they would consider themselves disloyal to the South. The boat shoved off and returned on board, when it was discovered that one of the party had brought off the spyglass and a few ragged novels. I immediately had an examination made and the articles returned to the place from whence they had been taken." No other depredations were made, no locks broken, no sheets or pillowcases, nothing. He has learned since then that the house is used as a regular headquarters for smugglers.

MGEN Dix, USA, 7th Corps, writes RADM Samuel P Lee, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron "I very much regret that the last steamer sent with flag of truce to Aikens Landing should have passed you without reporting. It was sent off in great haste, on a direction from the Secretary of War, with an officer who had never before been on that service. I have taken such measures as I trust will effectually prevent any such failure to report hereafter."

CDR Steedman, SOPA, St John's, writes RADM Samuel Du Pont, South Atlantic Blockading Squadron that General Brannan has arrived with 400 troops and have been landed on the mainland. "On the afternoon of the day of the arrival of the transports, Commander Woodhull, with the Cimarron, Water Witch, and Uncas, proceeded up the river to feel the batteries at St. Johns Bluff, the enemy having been busily engaged several days on some work in and around the old battery. When he got within range he opened on the enemy, who promptly responded with their three heavy guns, with great accuracy as to the range. The fire from the gunboats was as rapid and well directed as could be desired." After making their reconnaissance, he ordered the recall signal. He need 100 pounder Parrot rifle shell and coal.

LCDR Roe, USS Katahdin RADM David G. Farragut, West Gulf Blockading Squadron that he burned to the ground Snarl's grocery just above Bonnet Carr. "Mr. Snarl himself is a notorious rebel. Mr. Burbank, the Union planter living above, was my principal informant. The building contained nothing but a counter, a card table, packs of old cards and counters, and some trappings for horsemen, and one bed. "

LT Thompson, USS Pittsburg, writes RADM Charles H Davis, Mississippi Squadron, that he went to Memphis for coal and then to Randolph to protect the Ohio Belle. He is off Fort Pillow "Three separate gangs of guerrillas, numbering about 250 each, are reported in this section about 25 miles back. The officer in command here has requested me to remain, in case the guerrillas should mass their forces and make an attack. I shall remain here until sufficient time has elapsed for it to get noised about the country a gunboat is stationed here."He has a large sicklist - 19 on the USHS Red Rover and 9 on board. He needs coal.