Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-05-21
Tie Conflict Opened near Fortress Monroe
BnlterY YDestKoYed--PrixesT Taken

The stp1mer Freedom, Commander II Ward
arrived st The Washington Navy Yard Yesterday
she IS the " fag-ship" Of Commander Wards
steam hotila, four vessels Of which are now af oat
OF ight draft and heavy guns, intended to chase
and capture all pirates and other secession viola
ters Of the laws Of the country The officers on
the freeoorn are Lieut.. Cash, MIR. Walters, Cap
tain's clerk, Surgeon -, and Messrs Lee and
Gray, Masters mates. She brnugh as uassepg.rs
Senators Wade, Chandler and Morrill, of Maine
Mr.. Nicolay, the Presidents Private Secretary;
Mr.. DinsmOTe, Of New York, and Mr. Petit Of
Pa, who has been on a flying visit to Fort Mon
roe and the blOckading squadron.
The Freedom brings interesting particulars of
the Inauguration Of the opening Of the war on
Saturday, on the part Of the United States by an
assault upon the battery Mt Sewall's Point, the
exterior Of the line Of batteries which guard the
Elizabeth river the approach to Norfolk. There
are seven batteries now in position, all protected
by scient' lly-constructed works. The heaviest
is that at Craney Island, mounting thirty guns
Two batteries further inland mount twelve and
fifteen guns, respectively. The remaining bat
teries are provided with from seven to ten guns
each. These guns are part of the spoils of the
Navy Yard at Norfolk, which was destroyed but
In small part. They are said to be ordnance Of
excellent description. The erection of these bat
teries has hitherto gone on undisturbed by the
fleet, till Friday and Saturday an attempt was
persisted In Of throwing up battery on Sewall's
Point. This position commands the vessels block
aiding James river, and, IL mounted with heavy
and effective guns, would render that portion Of
the roadstead untenable
About noon, therefore, n strong party being OBJ
served Perfecting the earthworkfS facing them
with timber, finishing the embrssures, & c., the
Star (late Montcello) opened upon the works
with two i0-inch guns and shell She had fred a
number Of times, when the Roads greeted new
arrival, in the shape Of the first detachment of
Capt Wards steam flotilla-fonr yessels-36 hours
from New York. Capt Wards own vessel 1.-THE
Freeborn) is armed with 1O-inch guns forward
and aft, and II pounder boat howtzers on the
upper deck Being sent TO toe scere of the firing,
Captain Ward was hailed from the Star and re-
quested TO lay his vessel close in shore. aud open
upon the unfinished battery. He "sailed in'' ac-
cordingly, and taking position within 500 yards
OF the shore, opened with 32-pound round shot
He soon drove the party out of the work, and was
not long In hammeTing two or three Of the en-
brasures into one. The defenders with a mounted
officer at their head, took refuge In clump Of
trees near bv, into which Capt. Ward presently
threw shot, which had the effect of routing the
party. They made admirable speed as they went,
the mounted officer flying through the trees like
an Alabama fast horse at an Alabama quarter race
Inc battery having been pretty effectually
pounded, the Fresborn drew off, and reported to
Commodore Stringham, on the flagship Mime
sofa
The Freeborn, after engaging the battery, WIS
ordered to Washington. On her way UP, she
made prizes Of several vessels who were violating
me blockade. One OF them, small craft of forty
tons, had slowed away in her hold some fifty sus-
plcious-looking characters, who explained that
tney were hshing party, which had been out
since March, and were now returning home.
They had on board as the fruits Of their labors
only two barrels of salt shad as provisions Their
crai' is now anchored at the navy yard at Wash
ington, where they will have an opportunity to
explain their views to the authorities
Per Contra
Especial Dispatch to the Richmond Examiner
PORTSMOUTH, May 10 The battery at Sewall's
Point was fred into yesterday and to-day by
the steamer Monticello. The battery returned
the lire to-day with great effect The steamer
distress 10 Fortress Monroe
Stedmtugs were Immediately sent from Old
Point that hauled her eff The Minnesota alsn
came to her relief, and fired two shells at the
battery. No further accounts have been received
OF the effect OF our fire or the enemy's
schooner has passed the block kade
All is now quiet, but stirring times expected
tomorrow. Perhaps troops will be marched
down to the Point from Norfolk