Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-05-22

ANYTHING thai was going On, n"twlthstand.
| inc, the strict watch, for the boys were at
work like moes, some of them VIC under
stand having to lay flat on their stonnachs to
perform some part of their labor e9
On Saturday evening when the firing
ceased there was not a gun on the SewelFs
Point battery, but by men lighting for their
! rights herculcan feats can be performed
Three short 80 pounders were carried down
from the city, and got in tolerablc condition
for temporary use. Besides these, two SIX
irch field rifle pieces, the guns of the United
were drawn up in position, the whole con
cealed from view of the enemy.
Yesterday (Sunday) evening about four
/ or five o'clock, small schooner from below
passed up, and when near the Monticello
she fred gun which passed over the bate
ry. 1t is not known positively whether she
freds, at the schooner or at the battery;
though it is asserted by some that the schoon
or was acting in the capacity OF lookout
for The steamer and had sent boat along
side of her before she fired the gun. The
idc, is that the schooner got as near the tort
rs possible and sent man up on her mast
head H. spy into the fort, those inside being
unconscious Of what was gciug on aud deem
inr Der friend However, that first gun
was taken "a banter. and the battery an
swercd it, with as much spirit and rapidity
as convenience would allow, the second bali.
we understand, taking effect in her rigging,
much Of which was cut away. The hring
continued for some considerable time, by
both the steamer and the battery.
The two rifle cannon it is said done the
most execution, a shell from enc Of which II
is reported bursted OH striking the Stenmer's
rigingr, though it is not known whether 1t
proved fatal The steamer was struck ~
her hull severa! times nearly amidships,
into her side. large enough for Hour barrel
to eater. The steamers battery was finally
silencea, and about that time the Two little
steamers, the Yankee and the Young Amer
ic# came up, both Of which fired tow. balls
ut ths. fort They all three then started ott
down the river towards U!d Point.
Il is the general impression That the Mon
1icello is seriously crippled. from the manner
in which she was cArecncd over when she
left and probably from her having ceased
her fire 80 quick. "-.-'
The shot and shell from the steamers tie"
over the battery many OF them striking Il
mile in the rear. One shell bursted near the
batrery without injury. A piece .! 1t weigh
jng four or FIVE pounds We saw last night
The tous Of the pine trees in tie nelghh0r-
hood were pretty we'll cut down by the shot
and shell from the yankees, and the Dough
and spintcrs were scattered about with
good dca! of activity, though, with DO had
results, except the scratching OF the hard of
one of the stat ctiiners who was present.
1t gives US pleasure to hear so glowing
report Of the spirit Of bravery which Was
brought OUT il this engagement. We feel
satisfied that our canse is in the hands OF
the right kind cf mcn. .... -.
During the cannonading, we understand
some of the infantry sailed out on the beach
and discharged their small arms, minnie
rifles, we prcsume,) at the Monticello, she
being, what was considered at the time,
within range. tits said that every man en-
paeed on shore acted the part Of I, hero: the
only regret being thar they were not more
thoroughly prepared for the occasion. by
having their heavy ordnance i'll better con
ditinn for the reception Of the cuomy.
The only injury, we understand, with the
exception al the staff officer. was that rccei7-
cd by Mr. VIM Morris, Of the Woods Rife
corps, VINO got his ankle bruised by the re-
bound of one Of the big gnns. We under
stand the injury is very slight. Not u shot
of the enemy struck the works to iniure them
most of them Passing far overhead. mo
body turt"--on cur side, though we dcn'i
believe we can say the same thing for the
enemy. rs The apparent confusion OH board
seemed to Indicate otherwise
Ii is thought by some shat this attack on
our battery is intended rs Il ruse to draw our
attention from some point OF more lmpor-
lance to the enemy. However, this may he,
they will likely End it unavailing, as cur
| lr.r hot huI NV ST