Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-11-27
The Gunboat .Anga sement at warwick,
virginia.

[From the Philadelphia Inquirer.l
An intelligent deserter from the 10Th Geor-
gia regiment reached Newport News on the
morning OF Friday last. and was taken to
headquarters at Fortress Monroe, where, upon
being HterrOgated he made known the l0ca-
ton Of a number Of important rebel camps on
the Light bank ui the James river. Acting on
this information, an expedition consisting of
two gunboats, was prepared on Friday, in rea-
diness to proceed at nlghtall to the junction
OF the James and Warwick rivers, about 81
miles above Newport News. The Cambridge
led the way, and steamed without interruption
until reaching the point indicated, where the
white tents Of the enemy could be plainly
dlscerned on low wooded triangular piece
OF land. This was near midnight Almost
before the rebel plckets could give the alarm
the gunboatS were in position aud had opened
fire upon the camps, the guns following each
other 10 rapid succession.
No etectual resistance was made by the en-
clny, and the discharges were continued for
over an hour, at which time the camps appear
ed nearly deserted. The darkness Of the night
and the want OF sufficient men prevented a
landing being effected. Indeed this was not
the object OF the expedition, the sjle aim be-
ing to destroy the camps by an efficient can.
nonade, and this was successfully accomplish.
ed. 1t is believed that the loss OF lie on the
part Of the rebels was heavy, owing to the sud
uenueSs Ui the attack, aud their comparatively
detenceless state. After the exploit the gun
boats returned to Newport News and anchored
in the stream, the result being communicated
to Cen Wool aud Commodore G0Idsborough.
The rebel deserter alluded TO was about
twenty years OF age. lie managed to elude
the vigilance OF the outer rebel piCkets, and
followed the sandy shore of James river from
a., ,,l, 4.
News, where lie was met by five men OF one
OF the massachusetts regiments, and taken in
charge. He desired to return to his parents
in Boston. He was a sailor by profession, and
at the lime OF the blockade was attached to Il
Massachusetts vessel at Savannah Owing 10
the blockade she was unable to get 10 sea- and
the lad found himself without employment.
lie finally visited Augusta, Georgia, aud being
entirely destitute OF money, and attracted by
the pacarls covering the walls Of the city
promising Sll per month TO those who would
enlist, he becaAle member OF the Georgia
tenth regiment, Col Cummins
The rebel troops about Warwick, he s,ys.
were nearly all erecting winter quarters, there
being no design Of advancing upon Newport
News or Fortress Monroe, although tins idea
was entertained some time since Gen Ma
gruder has $4,000 troops in this department,
comprising the districts oil James and York
rivers. lis visits the camps at long intervals
and is addicted 10 hard drinking. The TENS
in use are generally very poor. The rations
consist of fresh meat and hard bread twice each
week; bacon twice and sugar and coffee twice
There is plenty OF food such as it is tie pro-
Visions being brought by steamers from Ricn-
mond. Two weeks ago the 10th Georgi re-
lment received new clothing, each man being
obliged to pay S24 for his suit-this sum b..
ing deducted from Ills wages. This create
much dissatisfaction among the soldiers. Two
months ago three ether regiments received
new clothing. The q North Carolina regi-
ment went home two weeks ago, many OF lie
snen positively refusing to serve under Gener-
al Magruder or Brigadier General Mel ms.