The gunboats Louis, New London, and Water

Witch, left Ship Island on the 81st of December,

for Biloxi. The result was not learned, but as

the Rhode Island was leaving, the New London

was seen returning with three schooners in tow.

The schooner :Venus was captured off Gulveston

by. the Rhode Aland. She was bound from „Fort

Isabel, for Franklin, La., with a cargo of tin,

coppery lead, and wood, valued at $lO,OOO. She

was sent to Ship Island.