The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-12-21

probably entirely disabled her. The
fire was again continued till dark, and
with uortars occasionally until two
o'clock the next morning, when the COM
BAT ceased.
This fort, at the conclusion, though it
has received Il great many sho. and shell I,
Is, in every respect, save the disabling
OF one gun carriage, and the loss of SER
vice of six men, as efficient as il was Mt
the commencement of the combat, but
the ends proposed in commencing hav-
ing been a tained, except one, which
find to be impracticablc with my present
means, do not deem it advisable further
to con inuc it unless the enemy think it
proper to do SO, when | shall meet him
with alacrity.
The tack on &c Billy Wilson'S" camp,
the attemp ed attack on my batteries,
and the insult to our glorious flag, have
been fully and fearful)y 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 continu-
Gus for two days, and could hardly fail
Of having impor ant results.
Our loss would have been heavy but
for the foresight which, with great labor
caused us to erect elaborate means of
protection, and Which saved many lives.
| lost one private killed, one sergeant,
one corporal, and four men (priva esq
wounded, only one severely.
The bombardnent of the 22d and Odd
has elected some facts hat are of in,por-
lance, and | notice them that we may i'll
future benefit By them
Fiyst-That wi h the most efficient
guns of the largest calibre and served in
The bcst manner, no serious injury can be
done to stone or brick walls, or to guns
i'll sand batteries, or to troops serving
them, unless probably BY rihcd guns, il
properly projected, at distance of from
two thousand to three thousand yards.
Second-That shells and hot shot are
not to be depended on for firing even
wooden buildings, unless having in them
incendiary composition.
Third-That pieces of port fire are
|
position.
-Four h--Tha, brick buildings covered
with slae cannot be fired by either hot
shot or shells at the distance named
unless by accident, unless the shells have
rock Tires.
Fifth-That the trouble and expense
incurred in protecting forts by sand bag
travcrses, &c., is far more than repaid
by the saving of the lives of the dcten-
ders.
Sixth-That no dependence is to be
placed on James rife projectilos, cithel
as 1t respects accuracy or range. If
had had guns to have been depended on
| could have silcnccd the most Of tho
enemy sand batteries and the guns il
| Barrancas.
Scvcnth-That ships with their prcscn
armament cannot for an hour contcnl
against rihed guns, and that if our navy
is not at once supplied literally witt
good rihed guns it will be very likely tt
be disgraced.
Eigh h-That on service here, and
believe the remark applies with cqua
force to every river and harbor in the
Gulf, gun-boat drawing six feet water
and wei! armed wi h good rifed guns
can do more and better service than {
for y-gun ship, or than such ships as tn,
.Niagnrn and Rictmond.
Ninth-Ihat sail vessels are uttcrl
useless in enforcing blockade.
Tenth-That Parrot s rifed gun:
are efficicn', and that forts should b'
Immediately supplied with them and
full supply of ammunition.
| would strongly urge that dozen o
PARROTS thirty Founders, or, if to b.
had, of larger calibre, be sent to thi
post, wi Ii a good supply of ammunition
as early as possible. | had son'
which | found to be excellent, but whcl
the navy met with such mishap in thu
Mississippi | was compelled to lie, Fla!
Officer Mexican have il and one of m,
twelve FOUNDER Parrot guns to puS OIL
one of his ships % save them from bcin:
driven out Of the waters by littl
steamer having rifed gun on board.
| am, General, very respec fully, you
obedient servant,
HARVEY BRowN,
Colonel-C Commanding.
Brigadicr-Gcneral l.. Thomas, Assis
tant Adju ant General, United Safe
Army Washington, d. &.