Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-12-26

utements ~
containing from one TO -four guus, Irnauy Of
them being ten-incb columbiads and Aome
twelve and thirteen inch sea coast morArs,
the distance varying from two thousshd ono
hundred otwo thousand nine hundred Yards
from this fort AT the same time cf my
opening, Flag Officer Mexican, in the Nj.
agara, and Captain Ellison, in the Richuiend,
took position as near to Fort McRae as the
depth of water would permit, but which un-
fortunately was not sufficiently deep to give
full effect to their powerfulbatteries. They,
however, kept up a spirited FIRE on the fort
aud adjacent batteries during the whole
day My fire was incessant from the time
Of opening until it was too dark to see, ct
the rate ofa shot for each gun every fiftscn
or twenty minutes, the FIRE of the enemy
being somewhat slower By noon the guns
Of Fort McRae were all silenced bat one,
and three hours before sunset this fort and
the adjoining battery ceased Gre l dfrsc-
ted the guns Of batteries Lincoln, Cameron
and Totten principally on the batteries ad-
jacent to the Navy Yard, those Of battery
Scott to Fort McRae and the lighthouse
batteries, and those Of the fort to all, We
reduced very preceptibly the fire Of Bsrr6-
cas-, entirely silenced that in the Navy Yard
and in one or two Of the other batteries, the
efficiency Of our fire, at the close of the day,
not being the least impaired.
The next morning / again opened about
the same hour the navy unfortunately, ov-
ing to reduction in the depth of water,
caused by change of wind, not being able
to get so near as yesterday, consequently
the distance was too great to be effectual. -
My fire this day was less rapid, and think
more efficient, than that ofyesterday Fort
McRae, SO effectually silcnced yesterday,
did not fire again to-day. We silenced en-
tirely one or two guns, and had one Of ours
disabled bya shot coming through tho en-
brasure. . -t .-.o.f
About three clock FIRE was communicated
to one of the houses in Warrington, and
shortly afterward to the Church steeple, the
Church and the whole village being immS-
diately in rear of some of the rebel batteries.
they apparently having placed them purpose
ly directl. in front Of the largest and most
valuable buildings The fire rapidly com.
municsted TO otherbuiidings along the street,
until probably ytwo-thirds oft was consumed
and about the same time fire was discovered
4 issuing from the back part OF the Navy Yard,
probably in Wolcott, a village to the north
and Immediately adjoining the yard, as War
rington does on the west. Finally, it pene-
trated to the yard, aud as it continued to
burn brightly all night, concluded that
either in it or in Wolcott many buildings
were destroyed. Very heavy damage was
also done TO the buildings of the yard BY tho
avalanche Of shot, shell and splinters show
cred increasingly on them for two days, and
being nearly freproof being built Of brick
and covered with slate, could not succeed
in firing them,l my hot shot nor shells net
having any power of igniting them. O.. =;
j The steamer Time, which was at the wharf
n AZ the time, was abandoned on the fifsfe IIy
and exposed to our firs, which probably o.
tirely disabled her. The fire was consirue1
till dark, and with mortars occasionally until
2 clock the next Morning, when the combat
, ceased p1'iSn
This fort, at its conclusion, though il has
received great many shot and shells, is, in
every respect, save the disabling of one gun
carriage and the loss Of six men, as efficient
T as It was at the commencement of the con
bat, but the ends | proposed in commencing
having been attained, except one, which
l find to be impracticable with my present
, means, do not deem it advisable further
to continue it less the enemy think it proper
: to doso, when l shall meet him with alacrify.
The attack on Billy Wilson's, camp,
81
t the insult to our glorious flag. have. beer
' fully and fearfully avenged. have no mean
r OF knowing the loss of the enemy, and have
no disposition to guess at it. The firing or
his batteries was very heavy, well direcred,
and continuous for two days, and could hard.
ly fail of having important results 3ao ~
. Our loss would have been heavy but for
? the foresight, which, with great labor, caused
US to erect elaborate means of protection,
and which saved many lives. / lost one
private killed, one sergeant, one corporal
n and four men (privates) wounded, only one
e severely. a.. r. ID .sa.9s s,ff-d
= My officers, non-commissiOnedo officers, and
priyates, were everything could desire
y They one and all performed their duty with
: the greatest cheerfulness, and in the mos,
! able and efficient manner. am much IN
!. debted to Major Arnold, my executive officer
!, ! for his valuable assistance-his whole con
= duct was admirable; and Captains Allen
J. Chalin, Blunt, Robertson, Hildt al,
!, Dulyea; and Leutenants Mcfarland, Lang
y y don, Clossln, Shipley, Jackson, Pennington
: Seeley, and Taylor, merit my warmest en-
y = comiums for the GOODNESS and deiiberatiol
y with which they performed, without one Ok
: ception, their duty under heavy and ;oon
tinuous shower OF shot, shells and splintevs
. for two successive days. Lieutenant Todd
y ordnance officer, had full supplies Of al rs
> quired articles which were on hand at tn
Z post and his department was conducted witl
. system and efficiency. Mjor Tower ,Sus
! geon Cameron and Assistant Surgeon Sutt
erland, in their respective duties, sustaine
= = their high regulations. Captains Robefts6
\ Duryea and Blunt, and Lieutenants Per
y nington and Seeley respectively commando
n batteries Lincoln, Scott, Totten aud Came
y, on, and a small battery at Spanish Fort, az
70 the other officers batteries in the fort Wit
u distinguished ability. Captains Dobles aIa
" " Bailey's companies were with the bstteris
- at Lincoln and Cameron, and did their dui
y faithfully and efficiently. The foinpani,
~ of Captains Henberer and Dufyolof Il
y Sixth Regiment New York v Vohlntesrs, we,
- - successfully on duty at the fort, and rends
- ~ ed cheerfnlly important assistance. to m,
u The regular companies engaged at the -ba
i teries. all Of whom performed ther duty 4
q :, efficiently as to preclude my making = di,
= tinction, Cos, A, 4 and l., First Artillery
u, q, Ii and X, Second Artillery; and G on
" Il, Third infantry, and Companies g and
Sixth Regiment New York Volunteers
= In closing / tender to Flag Oiiiocr McKea
n and Capt Ellison, Of the Navy, aniltothei