Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-07-31

cannon 81 poutlder ..forxarddrid aftr We looked
at each Other as this formidable stranger rounded
to, and then inquiringiy at the commander. There
be stood, serene and impossible, herce smile OF
bitter regret his countenance, that his vessel was
20 small and in his eye determination to give the
e big steaaer" warm reception. We saw that We
had before as hot work and plenty Of IT As soon
as she lost her Roadway after rounding TO, the
steamer opeaed the ball by sending rife she'll
whistling high over our hurricane deck. 1t was
really relief to US when the shot was fired as we
had been in moaentary expectation of it for some
time, and the suspense was horrible-especially to
those of us who had never before tasted the fierce
pleasures of war" aThes smoke from her gun had
scarcely drifted astern of her. the echo had not
ceased vibrating over the waters around, when the
little Beaufort'' the very inpersonatfon Of "mul-
tum in parvo replied most graciously and effective
ly to this courteous Sunday salutation of huge
friend; as the smoke of gun cleared up, and we
the water dashed up the sides of the steamer,
hearty cheer broke forth spontaneously from the
entire crew. The opinion of every one on board OF
our steamer; whose position enabled them to Judge
correctly was that our first shot struck the enemy
between her main and IniDzen masts This opinion
was conGrned afterwards by parties on shore.
=, The enemy now opened with her forward
riled cannon, and round shot and shell from her
side guns, and the action became general; but Tar
above the deafehiAg roar of cannon, the whistling
of shot and the bursting of SHE'LL the voice of our
men to keep cool and DO their work surely. Never
did men behave better more bravely; their work
ing of the gun was beautiful, and cool and steady
as if going through the ordinary exercise for prac-
tice.
The enemies first shot as have said, flew far
above usi but with queer hurting, seething, very
dsagreeable and tending much to disorder the nerves
Of who hears it for the first time. Their second
and third shcts were much better; but still above
While every time that peculiar sound Of the shot
and she'll became more dsagreeable After exchang-
ing several shots with US the enemy, apparently
satisfied with our performance, moved around and
dropped farther to the southwark of us, behind a
large sand bank which hid all of her except portion
of her masts and completely prevented us from firing
a shot at her. at the highest elevation we could
give our gun our shot would not clear the sand bank
behind which, moreover the soldiers as before men
toned lay and over which if we fired at all, We
should have been compelled to shoot. This was, to
say the least Of it cowardly retreat and as such,
victory for us-se had the advantage of position at
first Ito say nothing of her superior armament) be-
ing higher than we. Not content with that she
took position from which she could easily rake us
"fore and aft without being harmed by us. From
this new position the enemy fired four shots-one
Of them Just missing our smoke stack, another pass
ing between the smoke stack and mast very close to
the hurricane deck third passing very near the
Boatswain's head The fourth shot which together
with the third were fired were preparing to
get out Of their raking fire passed in about two
three feet of the neaying at the wndlass Their
first shot from the new position satisfied our COM
mander that they had gotten our range, and aware
that we could by no possibility return their fire,
the order to heave home the anchor was given, and
slowly and sullenly the little Beaufort obeyed her
helm "swung round" her head up stream, compel
led 10 retire from advantage cowardly taken; and
which she could not have prevented or remedied. To
have remained longer under such circumstances
destruction. We retired with colors floating
defiantly to the breeze | should remark here
somewhat remarkable that the enemy showed no
coors during the entire engagement
Thus You will perceive, that never in the annals
of naval history, there such terrible odds to
contend WITH and may safely add, never were odds
more bravely encountered.
A large three masted propeller, carrying six heavy
guns and rifed cannon forward and aft and having
on board at least one hundred and seventy five men,
engages, from q position Of her own choosing n
small steamer carrying only one smooth bored gun
and a crew of twenty-six; after exchanging several
shots is compelled 10 retreat from position already
advantageous, TO one from which she could complete
ly rake the small steamer without being replied to.
Just about the time we had gotten well of from Shore
the enemies steamer slowly stood out to sea- tackled
stood to the southland and soon was seen no more,
till afterwards discovered apparently anchored
the shore and off New Inlet, about eight miles to
the S0ul0 ara OF uS-IeaNlIlR tue IMPRESSION
this fact and the appearance OF her movements when
leaving, that she was to say the least sufficiently
amused with the mornings sport. Gentlemen on
shore who had the very best opportunity of accu-
rately observing the effect of our Shots confirm
belief that at least three of shots took effect
her hull. We claim, at least the honor Of the first
naval engagement of the war, and to have driven
from the shores of our noble old State vessel OF
eight times strength in guns, to say nothing of
her numerical strength.
The engagement commenced at 10:15 A. NJ and
ended at about ii A. NJ, or perhaps little AFTER
The enemy fired fifteen Shots five or six Of which
were from her rihed cannon. We fired eight shots,
three of which we were certain struck The enemy's
steamer. Not one Of her shots struck our vessel;
but all of them were good line shots and her ra-
king shots from the last position taken by her.
very near to indeed. Two or three reports were
heard at the same time, and the impression shore
is that of the shells from the steamer exploded
just they left the gun. am apt to believe, how
ever, that it was simply broadside from her three
guns. Altogether it was a most provdential escape
on part and Of piece with many other similar
in our favor during this most wicked
Our brave and skilful commander sighted the gun
in person every time it fired. We fired too at
close quarters. The lookout at the encmy's mast.
head could be distinctly seen noting the effect of
their shots and directing their fire. After anchor
ing mile from the shore Lieut.. Duval sent out a
boat after the shot which had fallen the fats,
and the men succeeded in recovering four-threc
thirty. two pound round shot and one rife bomb.
Thus you see we only lost out Of our eight shots,
four. e-e
A large vessel was signalled TO us as approaching
from the northward yesterday, which proved to be
a large man-oi-war. She did not however come
near enough to ascertain much about her. She
stood out to sea last afternoon and has not been
since. A large number Of hands have arrived
at the Fort and 1 hope it will be completed in a
short time Yours, respectfully,
IAN EYEWITNESS"
CoINcIDENCEs.-The battle of Waterloo was fought
on Sunday. The battle of New Orleans was fought
on Sunday. The battle of Buena Vista commenced
on Sunday. The battle of Monterey was fought
partly on Sunday. And last, and most import ant