Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-05-28

1EN 80 WAA5 8h Nv
rebel battery on the Potomac was written to
a citizen of New York, by bis son, who eas-
sisted" in the engagement /: ar
UNIrxD STATES sTEAMER psgAR,"O
U. a (La.e MORticdHO,
Up Eizsbeth River, may 10, Is6i-645P. M.
We have at last commenced the war in
reality. / wrete you this morning in regard
to our firing at q small tug, and our FIRE being
returned from the Brush Bluff battery.
All last night the guard heard repeated
noises on shore, but did not suspect what the
enemy were doing. This afternoon, at half
past FIVE o'clock, we had reason to belieYe
that the rebels were at work on the battery
opposite which our ship was stationed. We
Immediately threw a three and a-half-pound
shot in that direction. In a moment and to
our utter surprise, the flag of Virginia was
run up and a shot returned from the battery.
Immediately, our Captain, Henry Engle,
sung out, IAN men to quarterslp and buck
ling on his ,reVelFer-belt, gave orders 10
commence firing. We fred in rapid success
ion from our pivot-gun forward Ia ten.ineh-
shell gun and with our port thirty-two
FOUNDER; and with some effect too, as every
man on board our craft heard a shrek as one
of our shells exploded. GA
We were veered by q hawser TO the buoy
sbout eight hundred and hfty yards distant
from the battery, and broadside 70 II, 50 that
they had a large object to hit and ought 70
have struck US every time. Their pieces
were six, pound rihed cannon, aud they
threw shells and shots at intervals. From
their Sspid firing we judged that they had
three such pieces. m
They struck us five times, and the shells
passed through our vessel, with the excep-
ton Of one that exploded in the coal bunk
ers. We were strnckin the pilot house, and
the pinnacle was destroyed, but the COMPASS
was unipjured. Another shot went through
the captains and another etate-room1 and
knocked things about mizcellaneonsly,
smashing every thing ia its way.
y Every man on board stood up to bis work
like men who have been drilled 70 it-nke
30 many machines. Not one hinched. We
fred from the two guns one hundred and
fourteen shells, from half past I'VE 70 forty
minutes past ak p. NJ, when W. had 70
steam back, having only Eve charges Of eight
pounds each with which TO serve the pivot
The tugs Reiiaaes and Amsrioa, OF Com.
mandsr Wards hotillA under Lieutenant
Nyggtt came 10 our relief Lieutenant
MyRatt bad one gun, which be fred effec-
lively three times, The ting 4mfied. which
had no guns, was near By to assist in casa Of
the rebel shots sinking us. The trigates
Cumberland and AinResota Is vel a. the
fort Itself, were crowded with men, who
could see eur firing and ehsered AZ every
sbotaiaIsi b
A email ting came out from Norfolk, and
we expected 70 be attacked by Der but she
kept her distance till we steamed away,
We 90 up tomorrow, and under orderI
from the Gag officer, we are not 70 modest
thsm, but 70 prevent re-enforcements com
ing By water to the battery. Too much
credit can not be given 70 Lieutenant ID. l.
Braine, former Commander Of thie vessel
who aimed the first gun which did the mos
damage. Captain Edwin eager OommandeI
Of this vessel Nhen IN the merchant service
now an acting master in the aervlce) plotted
the vessel dnFing the actlon.
On Tuesday We Commences actual service
The Cumberland viii DO lowed and TIE BAT
teries must be Ailenced At any cost hnrfal
for the Vhitst red and blue