The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-22
EXCITING SCENE ON THE POTOMAC.
How the Union Vessels IL un the Blockade
Cannonade Of the Rebel Batteries ON the
Passing Vessels, &c.

Passing Vessels, &c.
u S STEAMER YANKEE, orr MA1rAwoHAN CREEK
PoroMAc RIVER, Dec l9-7:50P. NJ
The rebel batteries are exhibiting another specimen OF
their skill The lower oncs have just opened lire, upon
what is not yet known as the Reliance, which went
down last night is to remain with the lower lotla Tho
is yet risen but thick fog broods tho
river, showing objects not short disAAce though the
sky, like last night, is nearly devoid Of clouds. The
flashes from the guns very vivid through the thick
gloom, and the reports are very loud for the
evening if perfectly calm. Many OF the shells
burst apparently the Maryland shore. The firing
is altcrnated with conica shell and round shot. the
sri whistle of the former being clearly dstngushabe
from the rushing sound OF the latter The object aimed
at is evidently steamer coming up, for battery after
battery opens, from below TO above the bright flashes
from the guns and the glare Of the bursting shells
pcariug and one shell bursts the
middle Of the river. Chapawamsic creek, Transport,
Shipping Point Quantco creek and Opossum's Nose
successfully passed
fash nearer yet seen and shell bursts over the
river The reports from the gun and the shell following
the rcd glare close as to indicate Cockpit Point
The gun is evidently small one Another flash, and a
louder report followed by 3 rushing noise. II
is q thirty ,wo FOUNDER round shot shell fol.
lows tho momcntary garo revealing small steamer
little below stump Neck, over which tho missile
explode Shot and she'll alternate from Cockpit Point,
the batteries having ceased firing. After several
more rounds one more shell is thrown from lower bat.
terry It is the last shot, making twenty four in all
The putting Of propeller is now heard aud in few
minutes the vessel emergcs from the fog sho comes
abreast Of the iaakee and VIC ooer OF the deck halls
"Shp ahoyr' "nalol" 'swnAt sesamer is that" ''The
Telegraph" ssDid any OF those shots yous'
eve have not been HIT And after this brief dialogue
the Telegraph proceeded her way to Washington She
belongs to Philadelphia. The enemy must have directed
their shot by the sound made by the Telegraph for it
WIS not possible 20 see her.
The Commander Of the Murray ordered this
ing brig at the request Of her master, but he
subsequently thought better Of IT, and declined TO pass
the batteries few minutes after he had thus deter
mined, fro opcned on the Telegraph.
About nine O'Clock in the evening another gun is
heard down the river, from the lower batteries The
firing is in more rapid Succession than before. The fog
has Increased in density, and though the has risen
il s impossible for the enemy TO perceive what they
firing at They only conjecture from the noise Tho
reverberation from shore 10 shore resembles distant
thunder.
iiaif.pa nine O'Clock, and Twenty-Five shots have
been fired long interval, during which the approach
Of propeller is distinctly heard All hands believe it to
be the Herbert The fire The firing resumed.
Tho noise of the propeller heard no more Instead Of
i tho enemys shot y again wns.nng over
tho safety Of the propeller Three more shots heard
but the flashes FROM the guns are not seen They must
be lower down the river. Has tho propeller been SUNK
or has she returned?
AT half ppst ten O'Clock p NJ all wa, quiet A small
Hect Of schoouers from Washington and Georgetown
came down to-day, and ara waiting opportunity
PISS the batteries.
fTHeavy caunonadiag heard over tho hills on the
yirsiaa side, this afternoon and occasionally, il be-
came gloomy Fash could be in ravino, between
Free stone md Cockpit Point
Ds EarER 20, 1861.
Tho rebels KEEP. up the cannonade last night III twelve
O'Clock. The firms was at lengthy intervals II l. con
lectuod that Of the shots heard during the early
par of tho evening were from the MARYLAND side as no
ACCOMMODATING flashes visible. il Is not improbable,
however, that these reports from tic batteries at
Auuia creek, they sounded from distance. Early
THIS morning distant aaaang again heard from
down the river, ap arently in the direction OF Aqua
tx.
A1opt eleven O'Clock this morning trees were secn TO
la where the reb = battery stands at Cockpit Point, and
IN few minutes thp face OF tie battery opposite Mat
tavonau eek where the Yankee. Anacosta and other
vessps are anchor, unmaskcd that the guns
Nay be brought 10 bear ,;pon But arc boy ond
raape. About O'Clock large collier schooner got
under way in order to pass the batteries. Size Vas very
HIGH out Of thu water and presented fair mark the
enemy Tic sk per Of little sclrooner lying near de
term ned to the gauntlet 700. 81 he placed himself
under the lea 81 his big brother, thGs making hirn
do Guty aS 4 nie3stU0sk. 1t nearly cam at
TIE time and IL considered act ot
n,alnts: to ~ mpt sTch icat with sail.
in. yessss As he scbooucls got within range OF tho
htt.ry a. {oekpt tGHt IRE opened On III m, ou
nearly every sheN fell or burst short. After even
ro.us he'd teen fred from the tery tat optssums
Nosa opened After another round from the upGcr bat
ers asei Bgng but the eannonade WAS KEPT up
cesAntig by TO- wn9e lire of batteries lower down.
4 fair wind sprung up. The schooIcrs evidently
ont OF oangcF ,e b3ttsriC alter having expended
forty ive tuEads. have ceased firing 20 Judge by the
position IN which The shells exploded it appears likely
tai the rebels with thoir usual Skin for
tune. have hit nothing.
boat ere1 the Harriet Lime landed the Viz
gina side opposite Indian iead this ming The land
ng was effected the farm oil Mr. OuerBack, loyal
VTEuian residing to Washington, and several sheep ard
quantity II poultry were Oh aimed ir n Kim
About six O'Clock the evening several sailing vessels
ran the blockade from below uamoestcd OTHERS have
haistea SAL "a down.
Ten O'CLOCK = NJ
Tho schuouers have all gone down uuder fair wind
They have no, been mocstcd