A Rebel Ambuscade

WASHINGTON, March 31. – The Secretary of the Navy received a dispatch from Com. Dupont, dated of [Mosquito] Inlet, Florida, March 24th, giving a detailed account of an affair at that place by which Lieutenant Commanding Budd and Acting Master Mather and three men were killed.  It appears that about 40 men in boats went up the Inlet and were fired on from an [ambush], by which the above mentioned were killed and several wounded.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 4

From Florida

WASHINGTON, March 31. – The gunboat Bienville arrived at the Navy Yard wharf this morning, having left San Augustine on the 28th.

She brings the bodies of Capt. Budd of the Penguin, and Capt. Mather, who were both killed at Mosquito Inlet.

When the Bienville left, the general impression was that the people of Florida were returning to their loyalty, and the rebel troops had either all left or were making their way to other Southern States.

The only place where any formidable opposition to the Federal troops was made, was at Mosquito Inlet, and that only in small boats.

From the [Penguin] and Henry A. Andrew eight of our men were killed and wounded.  Loss on the rebel side not ascertained.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 4