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Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 108, 30 October 1863, Page 6

From advices received at Liverpool by the Persia yve learn that the Federal cruisers were making sad work of the steamers and sailing vessels engaged in running the blockade. Letters from Nassau state that between the 6th and Bth of July the following vessels cleared for St. John's N. 8., but in reality for Wilmington and Charleston : — The Charleston, Racoon, Antonica, Ella and Annie, Hebe, Kate, Elizabeth, Pet, Cronstadt (just arrived from Hull), and Lizzie. On the 3rd and 4th the steamers Banshee and Juno sailed. Of these steamers, four have been captured — viz., the Racoon, Charleston, Lizzie and Kate, while it is reported that the Ella and Annie had been chased ashore at Charleston, and destroyed by the Federal gunboats. The other steamers captured are the Emma, Merrimac, and Kate Dale, together with about a dozen schooners and bri^s. The Merrimac was captured by the U.S. gunboat Iroquois, on the morning of the 25th ult., after a chase of seven hours, having run the blockade of Wil • mington the night previous. She is a side-wheel iron steamer, of 535 tons measurement, 600 horse-power, and built in London, in 1862, for the Confederate. Governmest. She had a cargo of 576 bales and 34 half-bales of cotton, 1 1 kegs tobacco, and a quantity of turpentine, &c. The Lizzie was_ captured on the

15th ult., after a chasing of two hours, by the Santiago de Cuba, while attempting to run into Wilmington. Her. cargo consisted of dry goods, brandy, soap, provisions, &c, &c. The Emma was captured on the 25th ult., in lat. 33*41 N., and lon-. 76.13 W., by the United States transport Arago, Captain GodSen. The Emma was observed early in the morning of the 24th, and, as she looked somewhat suspicious, chase was at once given by Captain Godsen, although the Arago was an unarmed vessel. On coming up with the strange vessel, the following conversation took place, Captain Gadsen being the interrogator : Q — What's the name_of your vessel ? A.— She has not got one. Q. — What's your name? A. — David Leslie. Q. — Where are you from ? A. — Dixie. Q. — Where are you bound ? A.— l don't know. Q- — Who does know. A.— Nobody. Q. — Why did you throw cotton overboard ? -d'+— To lighten ship, and to get out of your way. Q. — Where are you bound? A. — Nowhere; but its no use talking any more. The ship is from Dixie, and is your lawful prise. The Emma had a most valuable cargo of cotton, resin, and turpentine, and is well known as a famous blockade runner. The arrivals of blockade runners at Havanna are as follows: — July 13th, English steamer Alice, three days Mobile, with cotton, was chased by Federal cruisers, and had to throw overboard 240 bales ; 15tbj steamer Alabama, three days from Mobile, with cotton, was chased, and threw overboard 180 bales; 16th, Spanish steamer Isabel, two days from St. Mark's, with cotton, and steamer Fanny, three days from Mobile, with cotton and turpentine..