The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-11-17


Shubrck, and Sanders, behaved CALAMITY. and
rendered much assistance. notice one remark of
Col. Beattys and that is" ga number of which
was killed on the land by our Artillery"
Very Respectfully,
A SOLDIER OF 1918.
tillery?
Narrative Of the Attack on Craney island, 22d
June, 1918.
From the movement of the enemy's ships on the
2lst June, 1918, in proceeding up from Hampton
Roads and anchoring off the mouth of Nansemond
river, about miles from Craney Island, and on
the same side of the river, il was believed that an
attack on the island was med,aed. The enemy's
force was imposing-it consisted of 10 or 90 ves-
sells, 74s, trigates and transports. AT the east
side of this Island, was a small unfinished fort,
where were mounted two "a and nne Is pound
cannon. At the west side of the Island was
small breastwork. Our force was about 400 Mill
Tia Infantry, company of Rifemen, (from VIM
chesier.) and accompanies of Light Artillery-ihe
whole under the command of Colonel Beatty, as
sisted by Major Wagner, of Infantry, and Major
Faulkner, of Artillery On the night of the 2lst.
about IL O'Clock, we were silently called to arms
and remained under arms till rereiUe beat, on
the morning of the 22d, when the troops were
dismissed In few minutes, however the beat
to arms brought every man TO his post and we
saw by the movement Of the enemy's boats in
passing and repasslng from their ships to the shore
they were landing truops-so that's fight was ex.
pected 10 come off, and we went to work to make
preparation for defence The three cannons from
the fort, and four 6 Founders belonging to the
Artillery, were taken 10 the west side of the is
land-iheSe guns formed our battery The InCan
tanry and RIfemen were formed in line at the
breastwork al the west side of the Island with the
right resting on the north-the Artillery Company
from Portsmouth, commanded by Captain Arthur
t.mmersion, was stationed at the guns, about 40
feet IN rear OF the Infantry; on a elevated piece
of ground, overlooking them The four sizes
were on the right and the l8 was on the left of
the two "a Founders. Captain Emmerson and
Lieutenant Thomas Goodwin, each commanded a
"A FOUNDER, Lieutenant Park G. Howle Sergeant
| WIN. T. Young, Sergeant Samuel Livington and
! Corporal WIN. Moffat, each commanded 6
ponnder and the command of the g pounder
was assigned to Captain Thomas Rourk Can't
R0urk was mt at that time member Of our
Company, having some months previous been dis
charged by order of General Taylor: at this time
he had charge of the merchant ship Manhattan.
ct New York, then at anchor in the harbor Of
NoriOlk-he came down to the Island and Joined
us. Early in the morning, we were Joined bv
order of Captain Tabelr # the frigate Constella-
ton, (then lying in the harbor of Norfolk block
| aded) by Lleutenanls Neae, Shubrick and San
ders, with about $50 sailors. Every arrangement
being made TO defend the post, we waited the ap.
proach of the enemy and tolt that were pre-
pared to give him decent reception for the
troops were full of ardor The next thing was
To let the enemy see what flag we intended to
! fight under AS we had flag staff, a long
pole was got, to which the " Star Spangled Ban
ner" was nailed, the pole planted in the breast
works, and the Stars and Stripes floated in the
breeze.
Whilst we were making our arrangements the
enemy was landing his infantry and marines, in
all about $500. We could distinctly see them
marching and counlermarching on the beach, and
after forming into columns they took up the line
of march but such the dense growth of trees
| and underwood between us, that they were soon
lost to our view. We knew not but their intention
was tn march to the town of Portsmouth, get DOS
session Of that place and Gosport, and DESTROY the
! Navy Yard. We were, however, soon undeceived
| In short time the action was brought on by the
enemy throwing Congreve rockets from behind a
| house. on the main land belonging to Mr. Wise
! Orders were Immediately given to Captain Rourk
nearest that point, to diSludge the enemy, which
was Instantly done, by firing into the house, when
we opened our battery upon them, keeping up for
! for some brisk fire of grape and canister shot,
until they were completely routed, with the loss
| of many killed and wounded. Among the killed
it was said, were two officers. Such was the
dense growth Gas before Iemarkedl that we had
not good view of the enemy, otherwise their
loss would have been much greater. Whilst we
were engaged with the land forces, the enemy
was approaching the island with about SO of their
largest barges, filled with sailors and marines
supposed to be from 1900 to 1900. They were
advanced in column order, led on by Admiral
! Wauen's barge, the g Centipede," boat about
50 feet long, rowing "a oars, with brass 8 poun.
der in her bow. Having repulsed their land for
ces, we waited the nearer approach of the barpes
before firing on them, when our gallant comman-
der, Captain Emmerson said, " now boys" lad
dressing himself to his COmpany-for many Of us
were hardly more than boys) :" are You ready 2''
The answer was" Ready P'-the next word
was fire !" when we opened upon them brisk
and heavy fire of grape and canister They con.
tinued to advance until the Centipede and several
of the headmost boats grounded. So quick and
calling was our fire that they were thrown into
the greatest confusion, and commenced hastv
retreat -Four or five Of their boats were sunk
one of then the AdmirsPs barge many others
were shattered that it was with difficulty thew
were kept aAoat. The firing was kept Nd with
round shot Unit! they got out of the reach of our
guns
The loss of the enemy was about 200 killed
iA