Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-03
Z. s. STEAM SLooP SENIvoIE


On Fortress Monroe. Oct. Ie, 1861 s
We arrived here this morning at o'clock
having left Washington yesterday morning
Nothing very Remarkable occurred on the
way down to . Iantico creek. At that point
the steamer PocahoGtss, which was some
miles ahead OF Us, threw three or four shells
mo the bushes at Transport, or Shipping
Point, Va. The FIRE was not returned, and
she proceeded on her way.
As we neared the Point, AT 101 A NJ, our
decks were cleared for action, all hands at
quarters, matches clos and everything
Ready. Al l0:45 they opened On US, with RI
fed shot and shell, from three batteries, two
on the banks and one about 400 wards in
land, 81 Evan<port. These shot fell 20 rods
short. The Seminole returned the fire brisk<
ly. and with effect, from her pivot gun and
two medium 81 Founders We kept on our
course, returning during 80 minutes, and re-
ceivlng theirs during 10. We were q fine
targ t for them-a slow steamer clear against
the horizon, while they were hid in earth and
bushes. 10 sls9lsvh1 -a.2az
We ceased firing at HIPS. A. NJ, after
which they sent several ricocheting shois-
and all handsome ones-at our water line
which ldckils fell short. We expended twen-
ty-three shells, several-partculaIl those
planted by Captain ellis in person-with
good effect. They sent at least thirty
rified balls and shells, ali splendidIy aimed,
their guns being evidently well manned.
Some OF their shot and she'll went over rs,
about eight or niue feet clear of the deck,
and only few feet above my head. These
fell or burst from twenty to forty rods be-
yond on our port side. Some burst Just out.
side, before reaching us. and som3 just over
our heads. Fragments of shells few about
the deck and splinters in thousands.
We lceTe struck eLtpea tl8lss. Oae ball cut
away the main stays, scattering bits of iron
chain down on the deck. Oae shot through
and shiversd the mizzen mast. several
banged clear through tn. ship, in at one side
! and out at the other. One ri1ed ball came
| through in that way, struck and carried
away the brass hand-rail guard around the
| engine hatch, and went out through the oppo-
site side OF the ship. This bali went within
| five feet of me, and sent a piece of brass,
bent double Ike boomerang, whiZzing over
| my head. How the balls do hiss, and the
| shells sing alOud--a perfectly distinct, fasci-
mating, locust-like song; but growing louder
aud faster as they come nearer; plunging,
| Kissing and bursting through the air. | was
never under fire before, but l never was
cooler in my life. I stood by my capstan
and took my notes of the time and the effect
of the balls both ways, jumping out of our
| own smoke 10 see where the balls lodged,
&c all just as a matter of course. But
| thought of it afterwards, and it was no
| joke.
The fight was severe one, and without
| knowing what the other side suffered do
know that the Seminole suffered severely. So
soon we get rid of some expedition now
on hand, we shall probably run in North
somewhere for repairs. -
The officers and men behaved well. Had
| Capt. ellis stopped we should have been
| blown out of the water. Every one says
that guns were never better handled than
those of the enemy yesterday. Every shot
came true. The only wonder is that no lives
were lost. A number were scratched by
| splinters. l was hit by them half-a-dozen
| times.
|
/ ave expected lively time passing Mat
thias Point. but either they have no battery
there, or they allowed us to go by it unmo-
Tested. We were abreast of the Point at
2 25, having been called to quarters at din
ner TO prepare for an emergency. At this
point the channel carries vessels of our
| draught within less than half mile of the
bluff shore. a good battery, well manned,
could command the river, and could have
sunk US yesterday. After piping down, we
were second time called to action from
dinner, and threw she'll at the point, but
without any return. So we were three times
cleared for action during the day"