Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-12-25

! The next morning | again opened about
the same hour, the navy, unfortunately, ow-
ing to a reduction in the depth of water, caus-
ed by change of wind, not being able to get
as near as yesterday, consequently the dis
tance was too great to be effectua. My fire
this day was less rapid and thitk more eff
fcient, than that of yesterday. Fort McRae,
so etteetua!ly sileuced yesterday, did not FIRE
again to day. We silenced entirely one ortwo
guns, and had one of ours disabled by shot
coming through the emhrasure.
About three o'clock fire was communicated
to one Of the houses in Warrington, and short
ly afterwards TO the church steeple, the church
and the whole village being Immediately in
rear Of some Of the rebel batteries, they ap-
parently having placed them purposely direct
ly in front of the largest and most valuable
buildings. The fire rapidly communicated to
other buildings along the street until proba.
bly, two thirds of it was consumed, and about
the same time fire was discovered issuing
from the back part of the navy yard, probably
| in Wolcott, village TO the north and imme
diately adjoining the yard, as Warrington
does on the west. Finally it penetrated to
! the yard, and as it continued to burn bright
ly all night concluded that either in it or in
Wolcott many buildings were destroyed
Very heavy damage was also done to the bull
shell, and splinters showered INCREASINGLY on
! them for two days, and being nearly freproof.
being built of brick and covered with slate,
| could not succeed in firing them, my hot shot
or shells not having any power of igniting
| them.
The steamer Time, which was at the wharf
at the time was abandoned on the first day
and exposed to our fire, which probably en-
tirely disabled her. The fire was again con-
tinued till dark, and with mortars occasion
| ally until . O'Clock the next morning, when
the cembat ceased.
This fort at it's conclusion, though it has
received great many shot and she'll, Is, In
every respect, save the disabling of one gun
carriage and the loss of service of six men, as
efficient as it was at the commencement of the
combat, but the ends proposed in common
| cling having been attained, except one, which
l find to bo impracticable with my present
means, l do not deem it advisable further to
continue it unless the enemy think it proper
to do so, when / shall meet him with alacrity.
The attack on Billy Wilson's" camp. the
attempted attack on my batteries, and the
insult to our glorious flag have been fully
and fearfully avenged. | have no means Of
| knowing the loss of the enemy, and have no
disposition to guess at it. The firing On his
batteries was very heavy, well directed, and
continuous for two days, and could hardly
fail to have important results.
Our loss would have been very heavy but
for the foresight which, with great labor,
caused US TO erect elaborate means of pro
lection, and which saved many lives. lost
one private killed, one sergeant, one corporal
! and four men (priyates) wounded, only one
| severely.
My officers, non commissioned officers and
| privates were everything could desire. They
one and all performed their duty with tho
| greatest cheerfulness, and in the most able
| and Efficient manner. | am much indebted
to Major Arnold, my executive officer, for his
valuable assstance-his whole conduct was
admirable and Captains Allen, Chalfn.
! Blunt, Robertson, Hildt and Duryea, and
Lieutenants Mcfarland, Langdon, ClosiD,
| Shpley, jackson, Pennington, Seeley and
| Taylor, merit my warmest encomiums for
the GOODNESS and deliberation with which
! they performed, without one exception, their
duty under heavy and continuous shower Of
shot, shell and splinters for two successive
days. Lieut.. Todd, ordnance officer, had
full supplies of all required articles, which
were on hand at the post, and the department
was conducted with system and efficiency
Major Tower, Surgeon Campbell, and Assis-
! tant Surgeon Sutherland, in their respective
duties, sustained their high reputations.-
Captains Robertson, Duryea and Blunt, and
| Lieutenants Pennington and Seeley respect
lively commanded Batteries Lincoln, Scott,
| Totten and Cameron, and small battery at
Spanish Fort, and the other officers batteries
in the fort, with distinguished ability. Cap
tains Dobies and Bailey's companies were
with the batteries at Lincoln and Cameron,
and did their duty faithfully and efficiently.
The companies Of Captains Henberer and
Duffy, of the Sixth Regiment New York Vol.
unteers, were successfully on duty at the
fort, and rendered cheerfully important as
sistance to me. The regular companies en-
gagged at the batteries, all of whom performed
their duty so efficiently as to preclude my
making a distinction, are companies A, F,
and l., First Artillery G. Fl, and X, Second
Artillery, and and E, Third Infantry, and
companies G and l, Sixth Regiment New
York Volunteers.
In closing, | tender to Flag Officer Mexican
and Captain Ellison, of the navy, and to
their officers and crews. my best thanks for
their able cooperation, which would have had
the happiest results but for the unfortunate
fact that great draft of water prevented their
sufficiently near approach to the work of the
| rebels.
am General, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
HARVEY BROWN, Colonel Commanding.
Brigadier General l.. Thomas, Adjutant
General United States Army, Washington,