Newspaper Clippings
PROM GEN. HUNTER'S DEPARTMENT. "
A Sound of the New York Vol. Engineers, with their Lientenant, "Nabbed" by the Rebels—Shameful Neglect of Military Duty,
Correspondence of the New York Express.
Hilton Head, S.C., March13, Night.-The long roll has just been sounded at Spanish Wells, and all hands called under aims. As far as I can ascertain, a party of Rebels, consisting of twenty men, under command of a Sergeant, crossed the river during the early part of the evening and "nabbed" Lieutenant RUSHLEY and nine men, six of whom belonged to the .New York Volunteer Engineers, and the rest to the Ninth Maine.
It appears that all the pickets on the beach were asleep, and not a single one of them had his piece loaded. They were surprised by the Rebels, who crossed the river without being seen. The noise created by the surprise awakened Lieutenant RUSHLEY, who rushed out of his bed to see what was going on, and hardly had he arrived on the picketground when he, too, was taken by the Rebel Sergeant. The whole party then embarked in boats, and went "Dixie-ward."
Serrell's Engineers.
On Thursday last, a beautiful stand of colors were presented to the above regiment, at the Seventh Regiment drill-room. A very large assemblage was present and the occasion was one of much note. The presentation was made by William M. Evarts, Esq., . in a very appropriate and fitting speech. Messrs. Warrall, Hoxie and others followed Mr. Evarts in a few remarks. The Seventh Regiment band were in attendance, and discoursed very appropriate music. The colors were manufactured by Messrs. Tiffany& . Co., of Broadway, and are a splendid specimen of artistic skill. They consist of two regimental and two guide colors. The regimental banner is of blue silk, having "Sumter" painted in the centre, with . in the upper corner, the whole surmounted with an eagle. The regimental color is the National ensign,• of Silk, with the name of the regiment and the donors in the stripes,—the Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, an old and beneficial institution of our city. In honor of the existence of an Engineer Regiment, composed of mechanics, they gave Messrs. Tiffany & Co., a cane blanche to manufacture a stand of colors. The colors were received by Company F, Captain S. C. Eaton; Eight companies of the regiment are now at Fort Royal, where the present detachment will depart for, escorting this gift. The occasion was one bringing up to memory many of the early incidents of life. Amid the assemblage were many, both male and female, who had graduated from the kind munficence of this institution. They felt the occasion deeply, and heartily indorsed the action of tke Society. The colors will be borne by the regiment amid the contest of battle, whether in the cotton fields of South Carolina or the hills of Manassas. Colonel Serrell has reason to be proud of his position and command.
"THE FIRST NEW-YORK VOLUNTEER ENGINEERS. ,
The following letter explains itself:
No. 543 Broadway, Ju1y 18, 1865,
. Col. Vincent Colyer; Superintendent flew-I'orfc State Soldiers depot
COLONEL: Permit me to thank you for your Kindness and attention to my regiment, the First New-York Volunteer Engineers. At tho time we arrived in New York you were greatly pressed with Numbers of returned : troops, yet you seemed to bring order out of chaos, and your uniform kindness won the admiration and gratitude of all. Your institution is a noble one, and you have produced results from it which ought to satisfy the most exuoting: and in, behalf of my regiment,. and for myself, I thank you, and through you the founders and supporters of the Soldier's Depot. I am, very truly, and respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMBS F. HALL
Brevet fcrijy.-Gen. U. S. V., Commanding First New York Engineers.