Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-07-04
m

an ACCOUNT FROM A NORTHERN
SOURCE.
We are indebted to an estimable gentleman
of the press in This city for a copy Of the
Washington National Republican. Of Friday
evening last. 1t confirms the statements Of
the Fredericksburg papers, and supposes that
q number Of the rebels were killed and
wounded.
Tie steamer Pawnee arrived at the Navy
Yard this morning, bringing the body OF Capt.
Ward, Of the steamer Freeb"rn, who was
killed in an action at Matthias Point about
dusk yesterday Afternoon.
As near a7 we can learn, the particulars are
as follows;
Capt Ward, on Wednesday night, sent to
Cap. Rowan OF the Pawnee, for two boats
crews. which were sent down under LieuteH-
ant Chapman, in order to take possession OF
the point, and erect a battery. Early yester-
day morning a landing was effected, and the
pickets Of the enemy we're driven back. The
number Of men landed was between thirty and
forty, Cart. Ward in the meantime promising
to cover the men With his guns.
About this tim, a "coutTaband" slave be
longing 20 Or. HOGe, 4 noted ssCessjonist, made
bis appearance with d shirt on a pole, as a flag
OF truce, and stated TO he men that there %as
a rebel force of from 500 to 1000 men in the
vicinity but his story was not believed, and
the men proceeded with filling their sand-bags
for TIE battery.
VII lie he men were at work at the battery,
the signal was given for the boats to return
from the Pawnre, and simultaneously the enc
emv opened q fire OF Husketry frsm the bushes,
and the men r~c'reated to their boats, the fire
being meanwhile kept up. The gunner on the
Freebarn was wounded in the hip by a ball,
49, T--E uT--l s-naFf1Ao1u anrunE IN hTg
place, and was in the act o. sighting the piece
when he vas shot in the breast.
-Four others were wounded, among them W.
J Bees, gunner, who was struck with four
shots, and will probably die, and Jack Will
liams, the cOXswaiD Of the third cutter, who
was shot in The hip IS the beat was returning.
Immediately on being struck, he ordered the
boat tack, and drfantly waved bis flag In the
face of he rebels The flag is perfectly rid
died with shot, there being nineteen holes in Il.
The men retreated with such precipitation
that a number Of them were left on shore and
had to swim of. one Of them bringing on his
back Mr.. Bess, who was wounded.
The Freedom returned The fire, and threw
some ten OF a dozen SHELLS into the bushes,
which were seen to explode among the rebels,
and doubtless killed a number Of them.
The Freebyr after getting The men on board,
haulel of; and AFTER tn death of Capt. Ward,
who died about eight o'circk, Zone hour after
he was shot, his body was sent up 20 the
Pawnse, on which it was brought to the city.
S-me accounts Of The action 5 ate that when
the fire had commenced, the boats were on the
way TO the ship "a bring off the guns for the
battery, but such could not have been the case,
as the battery was not ready to receive them,
and only some two hundred sand bags had
been filed.
On he Pawnes's arrival, the boiy was re-
moved 10 the engine house in the yard, under
the escort Of two companies OF the list regi-
ment, a guard Of marines, and the sailors who
tsok part in the action, with the riddled flag
carried 10 the action, where it was laid ont
preparatory to its being sent to New York for
interment. All the flags in the yard, and on
the wharves, were immediately displayed at
half mast.
Capt. Ward was IF y-fve years old OF more.
He was born in Connecticut, where be has re-
sided while on shore. In 1923 be entered the
navy. In rank he Nas nesr the head Of the list
Of commanders.
Capt. Ward was brave to a fault. He knew
not he word fear, and hardly saw danger.
Fond Of bis profession, be bas written several
works which are textbooks in naval matters.
His most considerable work is entitled "Naval
Gunrsry." He has also written a popular
treatise on steam.