Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-11-27
PEDITION
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
DESTRUCTION OF TWO REBEL CAMPS
ON JAMES RIVER.
LOUISIANA and GEORGIA REGIMENTS
ROUTED.
EXPLOIT OF TWO GUN-BOATS.
FORTRESS MONROE. VIA

FORTRESS MONROE. VIA
BALTIMORE, Nov. 81, 1861.
An intelligent deserter from the Tenth Georgia
Regiment reached Newport News on the morn
Ing Of Friday last, and was taken to head-quar-
ters at Fortress Monroe, where, upon being inter-
rogated, he made known the location OF Q num-
Der offmporrsnr Ke0ef camps on the right bank
Of the James river.
Acting upon this information, an expedition,
consisting Of two gunboats, was prepared on Fri
junction Of James and Warwick rivers about
nve and one-haH miles above Newport News
The Cambridge led the way and steamed with
mated, where the white tents Of the enemy could
be plainly discerned on q low wooded triangular
piece Of land. This was near midnight.
Almost before the rebel pickets could give the
alarm the gunboats were In position, and had
opened FIRE upon the camps, the guns following
each other In rapid succession.
No enectual resistance was made by the enemy
and the discharges were continued for more than
an hour, at which time the camps appeared near
ly 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 sole aim being to destroy the
camps oy an efficient cannonade, and this was
successfully accomplished. II is believed that
heavy, owing to the suddenness of the attack
and their comparatively defenceless state
In this same neighborhood were, and still are,
Except those scattered by the gunboats,) the fol-
lowing regiments: 10th Georgia, Colonel Cum
minis; I'd Louisiana, Colonel Farnow; 14th Vir-
ginia, 2d Florida, 18th Louisiana, 5th Georgia
Louisiana Zouaves, 500 cavalry, and one battery
Of eight pieces.
The Second Louisiana Regiment had the most
exposed position, the camp being on the point Of
land at the confluence Of the Warwick and james
river and Deep creek. II was this regiment that
sustained the hre Of the gunboats, az already
stated. The men are French, Irish and German
and our informant says that the confusion which
sometimes reigns is most amusing. On the point
they have thrown up an earthwork and procured
two howitZers for It's defence. They have also
brought number Of old canal boss dawn from
Richmond, and sunk them across the entrance of
WARWICK river, stream one mile In width at its
mouth.
The tenth Georgia camp adjoins that of the Sec
ond Louisiana. being further up the shore of war
wick river. Adjoining these, and still further
up, 10 the tenth Louisiana. Beyond these and
one mile distant from the river, az Tabb's fields
(near Warwick Court House, } Is the second Flor.
IDA, the men OF which, according to our infor-
mant, sustain the climate remarkably we'll the
fact being that but small portion Of them are
really from Florida. The fifteenth Virginia COM
mand the road leading from Newport News TO
Richmond, and have thrown eartRworks across
1t eta point about five miles above the New.
They have also ditched Il, and erected an eight
gun battery already alluded to-
OF the guns two are brass held pieces and one a
rlned cannon A squadron Of Eve hundred cav
airy 10 stationed with this regiment and used for
scouting purposes. The 9th Georgia regiment IN
at Yorktown, where formidable earthworis have
been thrown up with the assistance Of negroes
impressed into the service. The Louisiana Zou
ayes are at Williamsburg, exactly siIty-hye miles
from Richmond.
Nearly all OF the rebel troops are erecting win
ter quarters, there being no design of adysncIno
upon Newport News or Fortress Monroe AZ
though this idea was entertained sometime since
Gen. Magruder has % 600 troops in his depart
ment, comprising the districts Of James and
York rivers. He visits the camps at long inter
walls, and Is addicted to hard drinking He Ia
however, strict disciplinarian, and, In the Ian.
guage OF my informant, is not In favor with the
men, "bscause he won't give them furloup BIS -
The tents In use are generally very poor The
rations consist Of fresh meat and hard bread
twice each week; bacon twice, and sugar and
conee twice There is plenty Of food such as "A
10, the provisions being brought by steamers
from Richmond.
Two weeks ago the tenth Georgia regiment re-
ceived new clothing, each man being OBLIGED to
pay twenty-four dollars for his suit-the sum be-
Ing deducted from his wages. This created much
dleatnacton among the soldiers Two months
ago three other regiments received new clothing
The second North Carolina regiment went home
TWO weeks ago, many Of the men positively re-
fusing to serve under General Magruder or Briga-
dier General McLaus