The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-03
THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.

The fight at Aqua creek during Friday and Sa-
turday proves to have been quite brisk and bril-
liant affair. The firing on both sides was admir-
able, as will be from the full and graphic ac-
counts of the affair which we give to-day from
our special correspondent, and the official report
of Captain Ward, commander of the POto-
mac fotiIa 1t appears that the fight, which was
temporarily abandoned for want of ammunition
on board the United States vessels on Friday, was
resumed at half past eleven o'clock on Saturday
morning, and continued until halfpast four that
afternoon without intermission. The guns in the
rebel batteries mounted on the heights had
been removed to the beach during the previous
night, and upon that point the fire of Saturday
was directed by the Freedom, Anacosta and
Pawnee, which hauled in shore, and kept up an
incessant fire for five hours, until the men were
worn out from fatigue. Captain Ward reports
that upwards of thousand shots were fired by
the rebel batteries, and that hundred at least
some Of them damaging her hull so that
she leaked considerably, and some hitting
her wheelhouse and shaft. The Pawnee,
too, was struck frequently aloft and below, hurt
ing both hull and rigging. On board the Anacosta
was party of twenty-five men of the New York
Seventy first regiment, under Lieut.. Prendergast,
who worked the guns gallantly. Before the firing
ceased the battery on shore was silenced, and the
rebels were observed flying from the spot Fear
ing landing of the men from the ships, they set
fire to the freight depot on the pier, which was
entirely consumed. Several of the rebels were
hurt, but whether fatally or not could not be as
certained. No one was killed on board the yes.
sels but the firing from the batteries shows that
the guns were ably handled.
A brisk little affair occurred at Williamsport
on Saturday morning. The rebel forces attempted
to seize ferry boat lying opposite that point,
with view it is supposed, of using her to cross
the river into Maryland from Falling Water, where
a strong band of secessonists is stationed. The
federal troops opened fire upon them; the Skin
mish lasted for an hour, and the rebels were com
PEELED to desist after having three four of their
party wounded.
No important movements have taken place
at Fortress Monroe beyond the transportation of
heavy gus to the Rip Raps
gentleman who left Yorktown at four P. NJ. on
Saturday says there were about four thousand
secession troops assembled there, but that none
are to be seen between that point and Fortress
Monroe, distance Of twenty-seven miles A stand
is evidently TO be made at Yorktown, whittier the
the slaveowners in Warwick, York and Elizabeth
counties have been obliged to send half of their
negroes. with three days provisions, to work
on the Entertainments.
Everything is quiet at Alexandria and Wash
ington.
From Cairo we learn that full regiment of
Missouri Union troops had arrived at Birds Point
from St Louis, composed entirely of Germans, and
had taken position there, where they are
throwing up Notifications. II will be remem-
bered that Birds Point is the only available
point OF attack on Cairo from the Missouri shore,
and its occupation by federal troops is
therefore important. This regiment is among the
advance guard Of the Missouri Brigade, which is
10 occupy every available point from Birds Point
10 the Arkansas frontier. A little excitement was
created in the camp at Cairo by the report that
General Pillow and his army had advanced as far
North as Columbus, by the Mississippi river, with
a view 10 attack the federal encampment.