The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-21

Aftemciy puuoDgs 10 De immeciately prcViocu W3sn
other and more healthful and comfortable quarters
Acting Surgeon General Wood response 10 the Secre-
reary says has made frequent personal inspections
of the localities coupled by the troops and nr;rncsea
the medical director and other medical officers 70 take
every reedfu preeauton 10 prevent disease Details bad
already made OF the two surgeons TO examine
and report the sanitary con 4on OF the hospitals 10
this city They viii be again instructed as tney ha1
PREVIOUSLY been 70 examine the condition Of the hospital
within the precincts OF Washington and 10 report with
delay In connection with this subies, he SAID be
called the attention Of the Mayor OF Washington 20 the
sanitary condition of the city, which subject sub
mtted the day sanitary board by him, Offering
at the time operate in every with hin
in sariiary measures
TIE FIRST FIGHT BETWEEN THE GOvSRN-
NENT SHIPS AND THE REBEIS-THE
CANNONADED.
WASHINGTON, May 20, 1861.
On Saturday afternoon, at sewens Point, Hampto1
Roads At the mouth OF the Elizabeth river commenced
the first offensive operations the part OF the United
States in this war.
i am put in possession Of full particulars by the
arrival Of the United States steamer Thomas Freeoon
Commander James H. Ward, at this port this evening,
with special dispatches to the government. Sho
brings up from Fortress Monroe gentlemen who went
down on Friday the United States steamer
ystone State especial visit TO the fortress,
among whom were Senators Wade Chandler and Morrill,
Mr. Ncoay, the Presidents Secretary, and Mr.. Dns.
mere of New York. all Of whom witnessed with unteign
ei comfort from the pier at Fortress Monroe the cannon
adirg Of the unfinished sswas Point battery in which
the Freeborn played SO important point
The battery in question s the eighth and last Of the
nj
all now in the hands Of the secessionists The
est to Norfolk mounts eighteen guns the second Fort
Norfolk, has twelve guns next, Cransy Island moants
thirty guns, while below there two Others
one of seven and the other OF ten guns, ali
splenddly built, and mounted with the beat
heavy rifled and other ordnance from Norfolk Navy
Yard the least part a which destroyed in the par
tial fire. The heaviest Of Dahlgrens ri1ed ordnance
were at that yard.
am informed that the erection OF the eighth work at
Sewals Point is Of less importance defence than
offensive work, operating on that part Of
the blockade which relates to James river How mpo
this Ia will be from the fact tina. there
twenty prizes tobacco adened lying under the guns Of
the bos kadpg squadron nearly all taken coming out Of
that river Among them is British bark, cargo
iued at hundred and sixty thousand dollars ALSO
American bark.
commenced cannonading the New Work. She fred she'd
with ten inch guns, which burst with effect. Commander
Wards fotlla arrived from New York at two
o'clock. Captain Ward, in the steamer Freeborn,
was Immediately sent to aid the star The Frceborn
opened with thirty two pound round shot; she
fred fifteen rounds, and drove out the engneerI <
or defending party, commanded by mounted Officer
She then hauled off and reported 10 the Com nodore,
who despatched the Freeborn Immediately for Wash
ipgton.
Hampton Roads Ia covered with the fleet and the prizes
The vessels bringing in prizes every hour. Tho
best naval officers say that inferior naval feet
venture 70 approach Norfolk
These eight works are within space Of six miee
Newall's Point, the ouormost, is six miles from old
Point
ON the way up the Thomas Freeborn at dayligh
on Sunday, fel, in with the steamship Baltimore, be
longing 70 and bound from Baltimore to Havana,
out Of her course in the Potomac river the mouth
The Frecborn msook her for enemy and brought the
guns to bear on her. She finally showed the American
flag She was boarded and found to be aground Eorts
were made pull her off, resulting in parting both hsw
sers and the Freeborn obliged to leave her To reach
Washington with despatch
On Sunday afternoon the Freeborn, at Cedar Point took
Virginia schooner a prize The craft was OF no i'm
portance In the evening got n thick weather. and laid
to in the fog. small vessel the Isabella, attempted
to pass after being hailed repeatedly. AT the threat
Of a shot the captain let go her anchor He
reported that she fisherman, bound 10 Alexandra,
and had two passengers for that place. BY daylight
was found her hold crowded with men, fifty being
counted deck at She was brought to Washing
and anchored under the guns Of the navy yard The
said they had been offered thirteen dollars per month
to in the secession army The captain said they
of Alexandria
Lieutenant Cash, first officer OF the Freedom, ably
managed the working OF the vessel under her experienced
commander.
learn from the party arriving in the Frceborn that
the forces at FORTRESS Monroe number three thousand all
in healthy condition and tine spirits. They were daily
mounting new guns and practising. Secession spies
often TO the end Of the bridge connecting the fort
with the main land. The Thomas Freeborn also towed
up two store vessels.