Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-10-25
From New Orleans.
The New Orleans Picayunc OF the 18th

this morning, at halfpast 12 o'clock, on
board the steamer Calhoun, Which had in
tow the prize retaken by our naval forces
from the enemy.
! From the hasty Information we, could
get, it isthe Hinceness, and not the PrcLie.
as previously reported, Which was sunk
by our valiant Manassas. The PreJlc
and the RicAmond got also their STARE,
and the5latter is aground, ina. very bal
condition. !
1T is expected there was great loss of
life on board the Tincenesx, us the scream
ing and shrieks, while she was sinking,
were awful to hear but 90 account of
the darkness, it was impossible to tho wit
nesses Of 2tllat te 'rible, grand Drama to
make amy estimate Of the 2ainlago done by
them
Another account says:
Comu!odore Iollins wc,.t ashore i'm
nieaiately and drove Of to lis home lie
vas excessively .iatigued and worn out
and unable to furnish any details Of the
remarkable combat he had planned anI
executed, but from gentleman who was
|sall through the fight, we obtained the fol-
lowing p articuiars:
The expedition started down the river
, from the forts at an early hour Saturday,
the fire boats ahead and the guuboats fol.
lowing. But tie span Of tire>boats could
not be controlled by the tug that was at
tempting 10 guide it, and very soon it CONS
menced to slew round, aid then, despite
every cffor, it'rah into the river bank.
Tie plan of firing the fleet was immc
d;a.ely abandoned by .Coommodore Hol
! l;ns on the occurrence OF this accident, and
| the proceeded down the river with the
! gun boats. for tic purpose of making a
legitimate attack upon them.
The vessels of the enemy found lying at
the head of the passes, were the steam
fris"tc Richmond, the sailing sloop-of-war
Fince'meS, the sailing sloop of-war P,cjie,
and steam gun boat Water IFiieA.
Tuey were taken completely BY sur
prise, and had not the steamers had steam
up at the time, perhaps none OF them
would have escaped. As it was, their
! firing man9nvres, and general conduct,
showed hat-they were thundeEstruck and
frightened.
! The Manassas led the way of our little
fleet, and, steering straight for Que Of the
-slocps of-w war, ran right into her. The
fcree Of tile concussion was tremendous
so much so as TO put the machinery Of the
lMa'mssqs out Of gear and render her
perfectly useless, Floating about in an un-
manageable condition on tho water.
But the sncmy were very qu ok in ma.
king their arrangements to mo7e, and the
two steamers each took one of the sIoorS.
of.war in tow and started down the river,
making the best speed Of which they were
capable:
They defended their retreat with every
gun they could, d,bring to bear upon their
1 pursuers, but t6cir :airn was wild and
showed that the gunners were terribly
slarmedfs -
The McRac, 10y: and Tusearora led
our feet, and were the boats that kept up
the fire at tks're'rcating vessels and drove
them down stream. The other vessels OF
Four feet followed on down ss we'll as they
oorbj - SsSSs
/. The .saemy's vetsels took the South
west pass f9r their avenue Of escape; but
Fsoue Of them got aground on the bar
:tthere. Boats Of our fleet. then came lip
with them, about O.: O'clock, A. Mss and
firing then commenced in earnest. Ii; be-.
ff:ibg- daylight, they Uncovered the weakness
of our fleet and they managed tlieir guns
in far abler nssfiier. 81
For overap hour the Duel was keptnppii
! gat at. the .Waef that tinfe,S Commodore
I Hollius signaled our boats te Withdraw
from 'assuae qfal q contest, in which motifs
ing more was. 70 Ee gained. Asthe time
ofsIeaxipg t6s saere taking the. men of
the sloopsof ,that had been run into by
the Maaasses ia shssss as,ssitiihpg ID HE
waser ina significant msssser, 50 'ttat there
can gss spo .douIE Eol, her iounderiag. end
totdI loss Our informant believes this
,Eyesselgas .he.. Yiueshaaes: and not the
e eyss g ,ss Ras I, se,oftea 'i. by conmodore
Il -. 81! ~ .'t.ssS. .-3.s .