The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-27
Official Report of the Affair between the
S1ran.e - and fhe SI.uueII,s Paint Rnifei.y.

Official Report of the Affair between the
Steamers and the SeweH's Point Battery.
WASHINGTON, May 90, lS6I.-The following Off
cial report of the action between the United States
steamer Star and the SewelPs Point battery on
the 18th inst, has just been received:
u. S. STEAMER STAR, May 10, 1861.
Flag Officer s. II. Hringtop,
Commander of the Home Squodron:
From the time reported to you yesterday kept
strict watch on the movements of the enemy in
and about SewelPs Point battery. Several noises
were heard during the night but not distinct enough
for me to trace them.
AT halfpast five p. NJ, heard distinct blows,
as If from securing timber platforms for
gun carriages, inside of the embrasures and i'm
mediately ordered a shot to be fired over them
The rebels Immediately h0isted white flag, with
some design it, and fired shot that cut the fore
spencer guys near the gaff. Immediately went to
quarters, and returned their fire, which was con-
tinued by them. expended fifteen round of grape
twelve ten-inch shot, thirty-two ten-nch she'll ten
shell for thirty-two Founders, and fortyfv thirty
two pound shOt making a total of one hundred
and fourteen shots, which | think did some execu-
ton among the rebels. | only desisted for want Of
ammunition, having only five eight pound charges
remaining for the pivot gun. | regret that ant
OF ammunition compelled to retire, as | am
satisfied could have sienced the battery in a short
time.
| cannot too highly praise the courage and pa
trlotism of the officers and men under my command
They acted nobly, and with great cOolness as the
repeated firing will show. The action continued
from 5. so to As =. NJ, a duration of some hour
and fifteen minutes
The battery is masked; thirteen embrasures hav-
Ing been erected behind sand-bank. The rebels
had three rifed cannon, and fired several volleys
OF MIME balls, which struck the ship. The ship
was struck hive times by the ri1ed cannon shot in
the hull and upper works. The damage can be re-
paired by ourselves.
herewith enclose the report of the medical off
Ger OF the ship by which you will perceive that
lIfrht tl,r nA
cannot close this communication without call
ing the attention of the Flag Officer to the valuable
services of Lieutenant Daniel l.. Braine, who had
charge of our pivot gun, and who, during the
whoie action, displayed great GOODNESS and skill in
the management.
HENRY EAGLE, Commander.
lCorrespondence Of The AlerandriG Gazettel
,, From Harpcr's Ferry.
Ihe work of f0rtifying the neighborinp heights
Deng OF the greatest Importance, deserves the first
attention. This work is progressing rapidly and
substantially, large body of men having been en-
gagged Tor some time, both the Virginia and
Mary land side, and although little be seen from
Harper's Ferry proper, yet more favorable point
OF observation will convince any one that no time
has been lost in the work Of defence
military road is now in progress, aud nearly
completed to the Pinnacle, which is the highest
point on the Maryland Mountain and tomorrow
additional number of laborers and mechanics
will proceed to that point, to hasten on the work
of fortfcation.
both sides the Ridge, on the Maryland side, as does
the opposite height the Virginia approaches
But the attention of our commander is by no
means confined to these two points of defence
Large guns have been planted on the hills back
OF the Ferry, which sweep the valleys of the Poto-
mac and Shenandoah.
An enemy is not looked for from any particular
direction; We guarded on all sides, and scouting
parties are out for miles in every direction.
Besides the troops employed in building and
throwing up fortiiications, a large number of ne.
groes have been sent in by the neighboring farmers
and if needed, the number will be largely increased
as soon as the planting is over
Provisions are plentiiul-we are fed on the finest
beef, with bacon, bread, coffee &c, in abundance
Troops are arriving every day. Two Regiments
OF MIsslssippians were among the last. They are a
line looking body of men, very tall are armed
with rifles and we'll supplied with camp equipments.
Each company has one or more negroes along to do
the cooking, &c One old gray-headed negro boast
ed that he helped dig the foundation of the first
house erected at the Virginia University, and de-
invasion, which he seemed quite intent upon doing
with his gun in hand, and cartridge-box by his
side.
The daily arrival of cannon is fast supplying our
wants in that line. Several fine brass pieces came
down the Winchester Railroad to-day, aud others
of larger size will reach there tomorrow.
The troops are in fine spirits, and good health.
RumOr of an Important Arrest.
1t was currently reported Friday night that
while the Sixty Ninth regiment of New York,
(Col. CorcOran,) was recOnnoitering on the Orange
and Alexandria railroad, rumbng noise, like the
movement of cars, was heard in the distance, which
caused the regiment to Law in ambush along the
road in order to discover, if possible what it might
be. in short time, two locomotives with TWEEN
ty-two attached, approached when they in
stantly stopped, and those within, reported to be
three hundred and fifty armed secessionists, were
arrested by order OF Col. Corcoran.