Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-06-25

BERS-ROUTES TO YORkIOWN hECUNNOl En-
ED-AFORwARD OVERWHELMINGLY OF GEN.
ERbL BUTLER-NEWP0Rr NEWS CAMP-THE
NEGROES.
From Our Special Correspondent
FORTRESS MONROE,
OLD PoISr COMFORT, June II, 1861.
On Saturday We had some experimental rifled-cannon
firing with practical aims from the RipRlps to sewelis
Point for the purpose especially to test the sawyer
prtecte. The gun used was AZ FOUNDER with a "a
pound bore. The weight Of the pfcjectle-an explosive
shotwas 46 pounds with four pounds OF powder IN the
shell and five and half behind it. Before proceed
ing to give the result OF the firing, will state that no
one except perhaps Mr.. Sawyer himself believed that
he could reach Sewels Point, which ia three and one
eighth miles from the RpRaps. Gen. Butler listened to
both sides for time, and finally ended the matter by
directing the experiment to ne tried.
Accordingly on Saturday afternoon, party OF gen.
tlsmen including Gen. Butler and Colonel De Russy, OF
the engneer proceeded to the Rip Raps, to witness
the test The gun had never before been hred-a CIR
cumstance not favorable to perfect firing At the rst
shot il was elevated % degrees and aimed so that II the
shell should 20 so far it would explode the opposing
shore in the range ofthe Rebel battery The word was
given the explosion took place, followed by sharp
screeching noise caused by the SHE'LL diminishing as the
prof sce sped in its career In less than twenty sec
onds all was STILL and as we waited almost holding our
breath an explosion was heard loud that Of the gun
itself l. was the bursting Of the SHE'LL which struck at
a distance estimated at three and quarter miles. An
involuntary cheer attested the appreciation Of all
present OF the exploit. Presently volume OF smoke
rose indicating that the spot where the explosion took
place was but short distance in the rear OF the
Rebel battery, supposton confirmed by the fact that
the Rebels themselves were observed by those sta
toned where the battery could be seen to run out and
scatter in all directions IL was evident that they had
received sudden revelation the precise nature OF
which they probably did lot fully comprehend. They
had been resting in the belief that they beyond
If FINN the decks of shDs which
in turn they could reach with their guns. Eleven
shells we're fired three of which did not explode, en-
account supposed of their striking in pond Of
water, out oil sight not TO explode the cap The
range was reduced TO fourteen degrees, when the shell
exploded partly in the water and partly in the sand on
the outside Shore distance OF about two and three
fourths miles The last shot was at an elevation OF Is
degrees when the shell exploded on the Point, between
midway the beach and the Rebel battery probably not
more than 200 yards from the latter. The extreme
range attained though not known accurately Is believed
to have been upward Of four miles The experiment was
almost wholly for the purpose Of determining the range
and was deemed in the highest degree successful With
greater elevation, Mr. Sawyer does not doubt that he
can explode his shell the distance OF four and hall
20 i've miles The shell itself is ieariuly destructive and
in Jns resrect is the at whatever distance there
being no such thing spent shot, for whenever it
strikes it expOdes Not only is an unparalleled range
claimed for the prcjectls, but accuracy In ain indeed
this in connection with liz extraordinary explosive quail
lies set forth the chief merit Gen Butler express
ed himself more than sats ID with the result OF the fir
ing as did COL De Russy; and in consideration of the
prompt manner in which the commanding general had
seconded the enterprise and the gratifying results, the
gentlemen present proposed to chrsten 1t the Butler
which was promptly carried
While the firing was going on, men in considerable
numbers TO ropad the front and then go
back and on the opposite shore white tlgs dis
psyed where before a rebel flag famed, and against
which a shot was directed. The white tag was, OF
course respected and more shots were sent in that
direction.
Yesterday morning early il was discovered that the
rebels had commenced throwing up battery opposite
10 the Rip Raps in the edge OF the woods and toward
evening when the steamer C4tane the Government
transport was returning from Newport News, the small
rebel tug which showed herself round the Point few
mornings since and drew the fire of the Cumberland,
fired two shots at her. which fell far short The Cum
sr.and warned the little thing back by couple OF
shots The rebels doubt intend TO annoy the ship
piDg as they doubtless do if they succeed in con-
strCctng batteries were they represented as having
commenced work yesterday. |. is not probable that
thev will be permitted do any such thing Even
should they succeed in throwing up battery there half
dozen of SawYers shells would cause them TO decamp,
At least such of them as we're not killed. doubt whether
hey will seriously make the attempt 10 throw up works
in the direct range OF the Rip Rps or the Fortress The
distance from the Zip R7ps the neares; point on the
opposite beach is and half miles, from the Fortress,
lbou. one mile further.
In view of the occurrences Of Yesterday the Catalina
has received rfed gun board and will hereafter be
able to return whatever compliment the rebel tug may
choose 10 send her.
paid filing vi,i. to Camp Butler, at Newport News,
Yesterday and found that the motion OF the camp had
been fomeslat disturbed - episode in The morning
scouting party went out for cattle Gld when about
four niles tom Vsnp, tuey e IN NTH party u cavalry,
who a. THIRTY ysrds fred on with buCkshOt char
yes Five volunteers were hit which fact though the
buskshot proved the deficiency Of the rebels in arms
spoke well for their aim. The fire returned with
fatal effect il believed, one of the men was seen
10 drou in the saddle and sustained ny others
the party rode rapidly away. The wounds Of our men
we're slight They drove in about fly head OF cattle
the owners Of which have either been, or viii be, fully
The redouJt and battery at Newport News finished
very much to the relief Of the men, who have aborcd
in,t- sny They have accomplished great work, the
extent Of which may be judged Of when It is understood
that for twenty day5 from three 70 five thousand men
have aEorra c0rstanv IN il. The work has been done
under the sye OF Capt Stewart Cs tie Engineers. The
gus we're mounted by the smcnted Greble, who had
completed the last when he met Es heroic end. Oae
f,ct which came to my knowledge is worthy of being
noticed About fifteen hundred letters are received daily
at the camp, snd ,any dispatched. bes,des nesspa-
uer5 BY the bushel The same IL true OF Camp Hamilton
do not believe that anything ike this was true o!
soldiers before certain part of each day is given by
nearly every nan to reading or writing, or both.
The Massachusetts, Volunteers are now on the last
month Of their enlistment, circumstances will determine
whether they remain longer than the original .iod
They will by that time have acquired tie discipline snd
knowledge that make soldier, and their loss would be
felt.
If am to place any reliance signs and appearances,
before long the monotony OF tie camp will have been
once more relieved w active operations will not lay
nys If liable TO the complaints lodged sglins. CORES
pondeus in and abou. Washington by INDUCING in spec
ulacns much less will divage what nay convictions
are even though might make frstTlte sensation para
graph and perhaps record item in history before the
happening Of the event For three days certain
regiments have been expecting orders TO hold themselves
in readiness TO march, and certain movements which in
camp have sgnfcauce have lent en- :nt2re.t and Kept
the in glow OF expectancy Still, there are CON
ngences On which projected operations hinge, which
mag defeat general expectation not TO say settled pur-
poses.
To day. an expedition, under the command of Lieut..
Col Warren with Col Smith of the United States Topc-
grs phics's consisting of about 500 from Col Dur
wees regiment started On the route to Big Bethel, for
the purpose OF making survey and reconnaissance OF
the country and routes toward Yorktown. The expedi-
ton took artillery and two days rations This s pre-
limnary step to an important movement which will not,
however, take place before al things are completely
ready.
Great activity has been infused into every department
of the service especially that of ordinance. Steps
have been tax for rng several cannon Of heavy cali
bre and there nnmista&ahle INDICATIONS O, strong
movement ~ Lo very distant day
Negroes continue to into the fortress aud the
whole country around is full of them at liberty to go and
come just as they choose. The stories they tell are won
dsrfu Apparently thinking that large story expect
ed they take good that disappointment ia e1ps-
rcnced Little reliance cen be placed what they say
Steamers to be daily crossing the James Alver
about high up Yorktown and the inference Il, the
rebels concentrating large force there, in the ex-
pectation of a forward movement by Gen. Butler.
BY Telegraph