The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-06
To the Hon. G. ]. INcERsoLL.
Narrative Of the defence Of Craney island on The 22
June 1913, bg one tcho pas there.

Narrative Of the defence Of Craney island on The 22o
June, 1913, by one ,cho pas there
When about the beginning of June, 1919, the
enemy appeared in force in Lynnhaven bay, serious
fears began to be entertained for the safety of Nor
folk. General Robert Taylor, of Virginia, dis
tnguished lawyer, was in command Of strong
militia force for the protection of the city, and the
best disposition of this force became question Of
serious importance 1t understood at the time,
that councils of war were held, at which it was
proposed to keep the military force in and about
Norfolk, leaving the defence Of the approach by
water to the naval force At a council, however,
to which the two senior officers Of the navy were
invited, Captain Tarbell, then in command of the
Constellation frigate, offered to assist in the defence
of Craney island, which he considered land Justly
too) key to the harbor, by adding 10 the militia
force stationed there, some seamen and marines
from the frigatc. This was acceded to. II was at
first supposed that the enemy would land on the
shore of Lynnhaven bay, and approach Norfolk by
direct route from that place; but when, about the
18th of the month, strong force Of line-of-batue
ships and frigates moved up into Hampton Roads,
it became evident that the attack, if made at oil
would be by the approach of the Elizabeth river;
and the importance of Craney island, and the wis.,
dom Of Captain Tarbcll's counsel, became at once
apparent. Two frga,es and razee preceded the
main force; one Of the former anchored far above
her consorts, well up in the Roads, and was at
tackled, and very nearly captured, by fotilla of
gun-boais commanded by Captain Tarbell; her fire
was at first feeble, and soon altogether slenced,
when, breeze springng up enabled her consorts to
up, open their fire the hotila, and save her
from capture. This ship was supposed to be the
Narcissus, 80.
On the 10Th, the enemy, fourteen sail in ALL
moved up to the mouth of james river, mo0sing IN
a line up and down Hampton Roads. AT this time
the aotilla of gun-boats ives anchored short dis
lance above Craney island, wemanned WITH in
addition to their own officers and men, the greatsr
part Of the officers and men Of the Constellation
frigate. The frigae, with very reduced compile
ment, was moorcd between the forts, just below the
town Of Norfolk.
On the morning Of the 2lst, Lieutenants Neale,
Shubrick, and Sanders, with one hundred seamen,
and Lieutenant Breckenridge Of the marines, with
fifty men of that corps, we're landed on Craney
island to assist in preparations for its defence In
the night between the 2lst and 22d, the enemy was
busily employed landing men on the shore, just be-
low where Nansemond river empties into ampton
Roads, two or three miles above Craney island; and
about a. M, a strong hotilla Of boats was seen
advancing in a line parallel with the shore. The
land from Nansemond runs down towards Craney
island in a tongue formed by the water Of Hamp-
ton Roads on one side, and creek or inlet run
ming up towards, but at right angle with Nanse-
mond on the other. The troops OF the enemy on
the land advanced, pari passu with the boats AT the