Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-07-10

from the Richmond Dispatch, and other EG-
changes "
CAPTURE OF PRIZE VESsELS-DARING EN-
.--. PLOT OF THE BALTIMORE BOYS.
.rI RICHMOND, July 9.
Lieut. Geo. W. Alexander, of the LIST Regiment
Of Maryland Zouaves, reached Richmond on yester-
day morning, with forty odd Lincolnite prisoners Of
war, captured on the Potomac early on Saturday
morning. 1t appears that the Zouave Regiment has
been for some time past in process of formation by
Col. R. Thomas, of Richard, Lieut. Alexander, lad
jutant) Lieut.. F. Gibson, and Others in Baltimore
A short time since, Col. Thomas went from Bal
timore to Philadelphia in disguise, and procured a
supply of arms. Himself and comrades then con-
ceived the project of capturing the ST. Nicholas,
large steamer in the employ of the General Gov
eminent" running between Baltimore and WASH
ington The boat started at four o'clock on Friday
evening from her wharf in Baltimore. Previous
thereto Col. Thomas went aboard with IL men, the
latter as passengers, and their commander dressed
as French lady. The vessel got under way and
stopped at Point Lookout where, according to the
plan previously agreed on, Lieut. Alexander, with
another detachment of men, came on board and Sc
cured passage for Washington. By accGentO It.
Alexander went into the cabin Of the steamer, and
recognized the French lady C) as an old acquaint-
ance from Paris. Both Thomas and Alexander
speaking the language fuently, they found no diff
Guilty in maturing their plan of operations. During
the conversation that ensued between the French
lady and her acquaintance, instructions were given
as to how the PARTY should proceed. The arms,
which had previously been carefully loaded and
concealed, were made ready for instant possession
At one o'clock on Saturday morning, the time for
striking the blow having arrived, Colonel Thomas
threw off his disguise, appeared in his uniform and
ordering his men to do their duty the steamer in
minutes prize to the forces of the Confederate
States. The Captain and crew surrendered without
striking blow, and were confined without trouble
They appeared overwhelmed with surprise.
Capt Geo. N. Holns, U. s. Navy, who had gone
aboard at Point Lookout then assumed command
Of the steamer and ran her into Cone River, expec-
ting to meet the Tennessee regiment and jointly
commence further operations against the enemy
The Tenneseeans, however, did not arrive on the
ground till late Saturday morning. 1t was then too
late for any demonstration up the river as originally
intended, and the steamer was headed down stream.
On her passage, she captured two schooners, and
one brig. Each had q crew of about ten men, who
we're takess prisoners
One of the vessels was loaded with $500 bags of
coffee, another with anthracite coal, and another
with ice The steamer St. Nicholas is first class
boat 275 feet long, side wheel.
All of the prizes were safely towed to the mouth
OF the Rappahannock, and thence to Fredericksburg
Their value is roughly estimated at three hundred
and seoeaty:fce thousand dollars.
The captains of the respective vessels. with their
crews, including several negroes, are now lodged IN
the prison depot, on Main street. in this city
The Engagements at Aquia CreeE-A Gallant De-
.tenee-Highly interesting Statemsns-TAe Re-
salts Of the Achierement.
To the Editors Of the Dispatch:
What has surprised me more than any thing else
in these days of exaggeration, when every little
skiruish is magnfed into battle, is that so little
has been thought Of the repeated attacks upon and
in particular, the three days terrific cannonade Of
the little sand-bag battery at Game Point. AQUA
Greek. For so glorious result, with such means
Of resistance to the attacking force, know nothing
to be compared with it.
The main cause, perhaps of this under valuation,
TO use mercantile phrase,) may be attributed to
the unsatisfactory official report which gave brief
account, as of nothing extraordinary, Of what was
indeed glorious victory.
happened to be at the Creek on the evening
when the first attack was made by single steamer.
since ascertained to be the Freeborn This attack,
rs heard an officer say, was evidently only design
ed to get the range Of our guns only about do
zen shots were exchanged. One of the enemy's RI
fled shells passed through the redoubt and exploded
in the officers quarters, beneath the Captains bed,
and demolished everything in the apartment. By
the fragment Of another shell, one man was slightly
wounded in the hard. This was the only casualty.
1t was taken for granted that another attack would
be made went the following day to the Point,
but everything wassAuet, excepting that our boys
were busy STRENGTHENING their redoubt by throwing
up additional quantities of sand in front The next
day friday again rode over after breakfast and
had no sooner reached the range of hills which over
look the point, than saw that something interest
ing was about to take place. In addition to the
Frceborn. there were two other armed steamers one
of them, however small tug, which were evidently
preparing for attack. Soon after 10 o'clock they
approached and opened fire, which was steadily re
turned by our battery Of two guns
G. In about haitian hour after the action began, tn,
Purcell battery, of four small rifed guns, was
brought to the height near which stood, and open
ed upon the enemy, and some of its shot must have
struck him, for he Immediately returned its fire. ane
did 50 from time to time while the fight lasted.
in the meantime the shot were flying into and tn
she'll were bursting over our little battery on tn,
point, and several times thought it was destroy
/ ed, but when our. fears had grown almost to Ger
taintes the boom Of the gun would tell that our de
tenders maintained their post. About half past
the enemy Withdrew. Our men were wholly un
hurt: what injury the enemy sustained we coul
not tell; but it must have been considerable, IS
was repeatedly struck. ~. IA
Soon after the fight, one Of the steamers went u
the river; jtwasi supposed to procure assistance
and the superstition proved correct. On Saturda
morning large three masted steamer, which prove
70 bs the PswDee, mounting ~ heavy guns, ha
oined the sansdton Of the day before, and all wer
evidently preparing for an attack. The manner i
which our nen had maintained their post the da
oelo.e satisfied me- that they would do their best
o3 issgssded their annihilation IS certain when
thein. q r. !, = Z. q -.
orieg y WA enid, to the small amount Of ANN,
nfioa, tne ruresh battery wasnot this day through
1nso senon, %. one Of the guns was placed in II
ID Game ko,nt 3aIssry, Only think large an
o oos;a ses ss:S sa san. looking like aepcande
4 Dim sicsslh - battery, and IN. St,ss cfryin
! ~ mnhy III GONE ~ 81 NJ ,;aed one