The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-06
THE DAILY, UNION.

extremity of the tongue of land spoken Of, and d.
rectly opposite to Crancy island, was thin wood Of
yourg pine saplings, and behind the wood a
cornfeld; in this cornheId the troops formed.
Information was given of their position to those
on the island by persons stationed for the purpose
on the land, on the south side Of the creek. The
point Of land on which was the pine wood was
separated from Craney island by an inlet about SO
yards wide, and fordable at hali-tde. II was the
intention Of the enemy If their boats succeeded IN
gaining footing the island, to ford the inlet and
supper, them. They never, however, came in view
from the island As the boats came within gun
shot, two of the eighteen FOUNDERS opened upon
them; these two were directed by Lieutenants Neae
and Sanders; and the gun commanded by Lieute-
nant Sanders was soon dismounted. The gun on
the south end Of the battery commanded by Lieu
tenant Shubrick, opened upon the men in the corn
field, firing through the thin wood of pine saplngs,
which offered little or resistance to the shot. A
house near by, belonging to Mr.. Wise, was taken
possession OF by the enemy, and few congreve
rockets thrown from it, on and over the island;
which did no damage, however, nor had any effect
in any way, except TO surprise Il will not say
aarm) those who had never before seen such mis-
siles.
Five Of the enemy's boats were sunk; several of
the men in which, were taken up by the other boats;
but the larger part of them came were brought
| ashore TO the island. These boats had more men
in them than composed their proper crews; the
Cenupcdc, the largest Of the otlla, had four men,
instead OF two, on every thwart round shot
passed through this boat, in the wake of the after
thwart taking of the legs of four men, and sinking
the boat Immediately; she had, however, got so
close to the island, that when she took the ground,
several feet of her bows out of the water; to
| this part two Of the wounded men crawled; they
were brought 10 the island, and received surgical
| attention, but died in few hours. II was under
stood at the time, as coming from the prisoners
themselves, that there were number of Frenchmen
in the boats, who had been released from English
prisons on condition that they would serve against
| the Americans.
Many men were killed in the cornfed. After the
enemy retreatcd, small party from the island
forded the inlet the writer of this of them
There were marks of several bodies having been
buried in haste; several legs and arms were found
| separated from the bodies. The ground was not
critically examined, il probable that the
my might return and cut the party of.
At sunset, the enemy were seen going off in their
boats, and before morning they had all returned
to their ships.
| Perhaps more disgraceful military expedition is
not record-disgraceful in conception and in cx-
ecution. The precise force Of the enemy is not
known. Captain Cassin estimates it at four thou
sand. There is no doubt that the killed and prison.
ers Of the enemy were as many as the force of the
Americans that was engaged; for the battle was
fought by the seamen. Not man on the island
was hurt a
| While the enemy remained in force in Hampton
Roads, and while the horrible atrocities were enact
ing at the town of Hampton, the officers and seamen
of the frigate remained encamped on the island
prevented from crossing by the strong force in the
Roads. s.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 90, 1S45.
! DEAR SIR: am much obliged by your kind let
ter of the 22d instant, and hope that future
| sion will allow me to make such use of il as may
be acceptable to you and the other gallant men,
whose names in my opinion, should all be mem
toned with honor in every account of those trans
actions. But mine was so much generalized, that
could hardly ever be as particular as justice re-
quires.
shall be grateful to you for any facts or sug.
gestions concerning the naval events of that in
the years 1914 or 1915; and hope that few
weeks hence may have the pleasure Of personal
communication with you on the subject at WASH
ington.
am, very respectfully,
! Your obcdient servant,
! C. J. INGERSOLL.
Captain w. BRANFoRD SHuBRIcK, u. s. N.