Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-07-06
CAPTURE OF PRIZE VESSELS-DARING EX-
PLOT OF THE BALTIMORE BOYS.


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, (Ad-
jutant) Lieut.. F. Gibson and others, in Baltimore.
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 ~ 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 acciGentC) 1t.
Alexander went into the cabin of the steamer, and
recognized the French lady O. as an old acquaint-
ance from Paris. Both Thomas and Alexander
speaking the language iuently, 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 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. Hollins L. 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 originally
intended, and the steamer was headed down stream.
On her passage, she captured two schoonerS, and
one brig. Each had crew of about ten men, who
were taken 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 serenty5fre thousand dOllars
The captains of the respective vessels, with their
crews, including several negroes, now lodged IN
the prison depot, on Main street. in this city.
The Engagements at AquiG Creek-A Gallant De-
.tence-Highly Interesting Statements-The Re
salts OF the 4ehieUement.
To the Editors Of the Dispatch:
What has surprised me more than any thing else
in these days of eXaggeration, when every little
skirGlish is magnifed 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 il.
The main cause, perhaps of this under valuation,
Ito 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,
as heard an officer say, was evidently only design
ed to get the range of our guns as 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 hand. 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 was quiet excepting that our bows
were busy strenthening their redoubt, by throwing
up additional quantities of sand in front The next
day CFrlday) 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
Freedom, 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
In about half an hour after the action began. the
Purcell battery, of four small rifed guns was
brought to the heigh near which stood, and OPEN
cd upon the enemy, and some of its shot must have
struck him. Tor ne Immediately returned its fire. and
dld so from time to time while the fight lasted
In the meantime the shot were flying into and the
Shell were bursting over our little battery on the
point, and several times we thought it was DESTROY
ed; but when our fears had grown almost To Ger.
talnties the boom of the gun would tell that our de-
tenders maintained their post About half past
the enemy Withdrew. Our men were wholly I'M
hurt; what injury the enemy sustained we could
not tell; but it must have been considerable. IS he
was repeatedly struck.
Soon alter the fight, one of the steamers went I'M
the river; 1t was supposed to procure assistance
and the supposition proved correct On Satnrdav
morning large three-masted steamer, which proved
to,be the Pawnee, mounting IA heavy guns, had
joined the squadron of the day before and all were
evidently preparing for an attack The manner in
which our men had maintained their post the dav
before satisfied ne that they would do their best
put regarded their annihilatioa as certain when
them. Ns"''''
OWING It was said, to the small amount of ammu
nition the Purcell battery was not th;S Az VI
into action, but one of the guns was niacsT IN -.
Game Point battery Only thnk-tTo LARGE s rmi
one small rided gun, looking like $3.50 S,.
against four steamers, one with Il guns heavie
tRan npis N ths eatssy and the carrying
Just before the first shot was fred the b',i Tes
at the extremity of the wharf was set on tirs an
the bridge leading to it blown up by the dassnd am
Between IL and IL the battle began, and eontiDns
for five mortal hours; and when the canuonade an