Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-06-21
Che Ohio 6tatesmam
Official Report OF the Attack ON
Aqua Greek.

and now captain 10 the Virginia navy, com.
manded the Confederate forces during the lat,
attack OF the government vessels on the batter,
at Aqua Creek. From his official report, datec
the I'd inst, we copy as follows:
On Friday, at 1880 P. M, two out of thre,
steamers abreast Of the battery opened fre up
on rs, and continued the cannonade for three
hours, when they withdrew. The largest steam
or very. much resembled the Crusader. As they
kept at long shot, mostly beyond our range,
economized ammunition, and only fred fty-
six times. One OF the steamers had a riaed
gun, the shell from which penetrated through
the sand bank. and one Of them exploded in and
completely demolished the room occupied by
the officers and myself. Upon our part no one
was injured; but lookers-on from the hills and
opposite shore state that the enemy was re-
peatedly struck.
Yesterday, the steamers which had laid of
during the night we're reinforced by tie Paw
nee, and at 1880 A. M. they commenced a
brisk cannonade, which continued with little in.
terruption until about 4:30 p. M, during which
the Pawnee fred 392 shot and shell, and the
other steamer 2O7, the greater portion of the
latter being riaed shells. -
Our sand-banks not being on barbette, we
could only fire as the enemy came within range
through the embrasures. This, added to the
long distance et which he kept, and the neces
sity OF occasionally receiving damages to the
breastwork, combined with my desire to save
ammunition, constrained me to withhold Ere,
except when something like fair shot present.
ed. The houses In the rear were very much
knocked about, and the railroad track torn up
In three or four places, but thanks to kind
Providence, who seems to smile benignly on our
cause, no one with us was injured.
Aa tho anarnv had IN Erida oda tbo hn;lJ
ings at the extremity of the wharf his line of
sight upon the battery, had all the furniture,
etc, together with the weather boarding, con
veyed to the rear of the battery, and in the
course of the forenoon set fire to and blew up
the platform and outer end of the bridge.
have spoken OF Commander Thorburn's
zeal In the first engagement, and cannot too
highly applaud the spirit and alacrty, tenn pered
by Difference 10 orders, of Commander Cooke
and Lieutenant Troble. With the exception of
Gunner's Mate CunniDgham and Masters Mate
Larmour, whose services were Of inestimabe
value, our guns crews consisted only of volun.
teer militia, who stood their gronnd bravely.
We had yesterday, In &C cditioH to our guns, a
small rihsd one from Captain Walkers battery,
under the immediate command Of Lieut. Rob
ertson, OF Tennessee, which rendered efficient
service.
In connection with the transportation of the
Columbiads to the summit of lofty bill, can.
not speak In too highly oommendable terms Of
the zeal and untiring energy Of Lieut.. Chas. G.
Simms,
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE EVACUATION OF HARP.
ER's FERRY.
The following dispatch has been received at
the War Department at Washington:
PoINT OF RocKa June l5
To Hon. Simon Came,on:-We landed on the
Virginia side Of the Ferry at 2 O'Clock p. M.
We were the first Union men that crossed. We
than passed over into the town, which was near.
ly desolate. There was not solitary soldier
visible. A few of the poorer classes were on
the street. The best houses were closed The
John Brown engine house and magazine and
armory buildings we have reported saved.
Three cars Of grain and coffee for Winches-
ter, for the engines to haul, were emptied into
the river on Friday, and also a lot of cotton.
ter" Five trucks loaded with machinery and
pipes, stand In front Of the hotel, marked,
Richmond" Near the armory fifty flint lock
muskets we're thrown into the river. Our bows
ire fishing them out. At the camp grounds in
he rear of the town there was nothing left of
my value. The town and surrounding country |
'resents the most desolate appearance ever
cen. ri. .3r Goes
2 The physician who was attending the troops |
ays that In the Mississippi and Alabama troops |
bout fifty we're down with measles. o.,
The troops were ordered to leave twenty.f -four |
ours before they did, and one of Johnson's staff |
aid 1t was reported the federal troops we're go
Dg to take Winchester and fortify It, and cut
hem off. But they would now 20 there and be
enforced from Richmond. We found in the
uildings burned In April, fifteen to twenty. |
wo thousand musket barrels, gathered In piles |
These men were all uniformed according to
ancy, and the means of the town where they
ame from. No side arms were allowed in the |
amp. excepting for commissioned officers. -.
The Kentucky and Mississippi troops said they
anne to fight. and were eager to 60 up and take
Vashington on their own account.
We secured @ lot of baYonets and pieces of
nuskets as mementoes.
Left at O'Clock. The inhabitants are reioic
ng over the evacuation. A piece of the vir-
inia flag, placed there in April, remains on the
op Of the pole. The rope 10 broken, and there
J no flag of any kind In the town. 35at
We saw ayoung man come down on the train
hat left the Relay House at nine, with sword
nd two trunks, by the weight of which we con.
luded they were no doubt percussion caps.
ie said at the Ferry he was going to Richmond,
here he had command OF q company OF Balti-
nore men, adopted BY the county. At Point of
locks sixty four cavalry were reported still
cross the Potomac. r' l.F
The rear of the main body of troops were only +
On miles from the Ferry at noon. have the
onor, etc., A. Il. PAINYER. |,
Government Financial Policy.
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