The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-02
General Turnout of the People to
Welcome Them Home,
~. &s., aes
TINE ENGAGEMENT AT AQUA CREEK .
The Rebel Batteries Silenced---A
Humber Of the Enemy Supposed to
be Killed and WOunded---OnIy
One Injured on Board the
VoSseIs---OlIicial Re-
port Of the Fight,
&C., Sc, &C.
THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT.

OUR POTOMAC RIVER CORRESPONDENCE
OFF AQUA CREEK, Potomac RIVER, May 20, 1861.
Engagement Bdsueen the Thomas Feebor7' and the Aqua
Creek Ba9Uy-7he Free5orn Opens Ine-7he Fire Re-
turned By the BaEuy-Precisisn Of the Fire on Both
Ssdes-7he Shoa1 Water Alone Causes the Action to he
Blooess-7ne Reance Comes the Assistance of her Con-
sms-SAe Fires Three Shells at the Eremy-D,snssp puts
Stop to ne Engagement de-, &C., dc.
The Thomas Freeborn has just had another engagement
with the enemyths time receiving his fire in return
Last night remained moored alongside the Pawnee,
opposite Alexandria, while the engines Of the latter vessel
were set to work cleaning out boilers which had be-
come choked with sand. 1t my intention to go on
shore in company with Dr. Msore, our surgeon and Mr.
Walters the purser and already dressed and armed
for the purpose, when was informed that it would be
an act Of madness for party ignorant Of the
oountersign we would be certainly fired upon by the
sennes Therefore, ounce Of lead in ones body
10 decidedly nconvenent whether deposited there by
friend or foo we considered discreton" 10 be he bet
ter part Of vaor under the circumstances aud remain
ed on board. And right glad was I this morning
ut having acted on the prudent maxim of the obese
knight, when read in yesterday papers Of the sum-
mary manner in which the sentinels TO be doing
business.
Early this morning we left, and proceeded down the
river, keeping bright look out on the ''Whe House.
as we passed, it bears Indifferent reputation but
sign Of battery was discovered. AT Indian Head we
fell in with the Reliance with schooner in tow, which
che had captured, she belonged to Virginia She was
sent on TO Washington. We remained at anchor at In
dian Head during considerable portion Of the day,
while the Reliance cused around speaking every vessel
passed nquirng into her character, &c While this
was in progress the steamer Star passed us, towing
three ted schooner, bound to Washington. Two
three Of the uncouth locking longboas, similar to our
uuAer prize OF yesterday which seem to be somewhat
abundant this parl Of the river overhauled and
proving 10 be honest permitted TO leave with
admorton to 60 to Washington, and nowhere else
One old man, q sturdy Unionist, who commanded
yawl boat was loud in his denuncaton Of the secession
lists He was o Marylander. From the master OF
one of the longboas Captain Ward learned that the
sloop was in the habit of passing backwards and
forwards between Aqua Creek and point little above
in MARYLAND orders therefore given to Lieutenant
gait of the Reliance 20 keep bright ooE out for
her and make prize OF her if found after 1hch the
Freedom weighed and stood further aoT W., as
tsry the entrance to Aqua Creek, about uteen or
eighteen miles distant. -
miles Of the Creek the railroad depot conneon9the line
with Richmond plainly dscarnipie, WIN he ionS
e ~ p esnan A we nany To- By seen pacn to and
fro ct the end OF the pier nearer the land tner aye
eiitterpg IN the suns rays But another o9et Oh lar
more absorbing interest became visible. Tns vas tne
much talked OF battery Borrowing the glass ,on Mr.
Lee one Of the master mates took good lck in the
direction indicated by him. and was at length rwarded
by sight of the battery which bore the Appearance Of
earthwork. counted three embrasures bu Lieute
pant Cashs more experienced eyes showed hin four.
Tho battery wen ns can Judge seems TO be.uated
in little blight between the commencement ohe pier
and white house. 1t soon became apparent bat the
Freedom was an object Of interest IRON tn shore,
which appeared to be ned with people While
we were regarding them with much interest "a they
oorazed upon u.s. another battery in embryo waseen on
em,ncnce to the left OF olden acquaintase Al
last the object dscerned IN that direction locke like
IN fatleYy.
G Nearer and nearer the Freeborn approached " water
Hafradaally shoang rs indicated by the leadyhil
ras constantly Kept heavingrrom four aud hi four
rree, "quarter less three bY the mark the," TO
quarter less two, when was, Of course, Jddgempru
mt 10 keep in any closer This was somewit OF a
,n,per distance from the battery was enlted
two and quarter nilog. Captain Ward, hover. was
tsfmned ~ give y e enemy 0t5usb of qhily,'.