The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-14
OPERATIONS ON THE POTOMAC.

Lieut.. Harrcll's Gallant Exploit-Thc EN-
trance to Quantico Creck-Burning OF
the Schooner-Hcavy Fire OF fMuslketry-
The Fire Rcturned-Narrow Escape Of q
Seaman-Rcconnoissan OF the Rcli-
ancc, &c., &C., Sc.
Our special correspondent board the United States
steamer Reliance, Of the vessels connected with the
Potomac squadron arrived late last night and furnishes
the following report Of the gallant affair at ouanco
creek.
On Friday morning while tho Reliance was at anchor
iittle below White House. and few miles above Indian
Head heavy firing was heard several miles down the
river Clifford, the seaman who kept the star
board watch reported the the commander Acting
Master Hannum. Considerable excitement prevailed
among the squadron tho greater part Of which
the Of action than where the Reliance lay Early
in the afternoon Of Friday went board the Yankee
the flagship of the squadron, when l saw Commodore
Craven who kindly permitted TO the official report
Of Lieutenant Commanding Harrsll, and allowed TO
take notes Of the document. lie would have perhaps,
permitted me to copy the report ITSELF had desired it,
but did not. however, gathered from il all thought
the HERALD would require, knowing that the official docu
ment would reach the HERALD Office in due course.
But a stroke Of good fortune awaited mo- On regain
ing the deck Of the Reliance boat sent frsm the
Commodore with orders to steam down the river the
and found the Union Oh Wades bay In company with the
little Rcso!ute he twin sister Of the Reliance) and the
Satatc, blockading Aqua Creek the batteries Of which
were distinctly visible with the naked eye
Gaining the deck Of the Union, Master Hannum pre-
scntcd the letters Of Commodore Craven the gallant
Harre, and betray confidence In saying that the
Commodore so far from censuring Lieutenant Harre for
acting without orders him for the spirit he
had displayed The the letter of the Com
modore to his subordinates in the action, and
felt greater pleasure in my life than in witnessing the
Of the young they read the approval
nf Iasth rcc th ,lr hat
HERALD man so TO record their weitmed exul
tation, though the word is somewhat strong
specting the AFFAIR He said that when they
reached the schooner she was close in shore, and
,nas ss.er ser Pns the furniture .t in the cabin
in such to prevent the flames from bursting
out till they out OF danger but seaman contrary
TO orders, set fire TO sails deck which revealed
their position TO the enemy. This frs, made mani
fest by man haing Schooner ahoyl' after the
boats had left the burning vessel and being
retnrned voley Of mueketry poured into the boats
and this continued both sides Of the channel
each shore Of uhich ithin pistol shot Of the other till
out "Ahi you damned Yankees we have you nowi' The
firing was terrific One had his cap shot through
grazing his head and several of the had their cloth
ing rddcd as were the boats; and yet, strange say
not man wounded. The channel is very intricate
and not till Lieutenant Harre had got through the
worst he ordered his boat howitzers fire. and then
they poured into the enemy shower OF shell that must
have aStonished them.
Lieutenant Harrell says the destruction Of the
schooner Is complete and it must be: but in pass ing
Quantico creek Friday evening saw two masts as
If belonging 70 schooner still standing; but the seaman
eye Of commander detected once that the masts
belonged TO that be of further use to the
enemy.
On returning from the Union we kept unusually
close into tho Virginia Shore for the purpose Of
reconnoiterng In fact were within rifle shot
great part Of the way. No batteries were dis
covered between Aqua Creek and Frcestone Point
which latter. as have said in previous communications
has been denuded Of it's batteries Rebel soldiers were
seen however at Evarsport and they had their rides
with them too and perhaps could have picked some Of
us Off; but then had rifles too, and twenty four
FOUNDER howitzer and they did not like to try All the
way along the smoke Of their camp fires plainly dis
cernibe On the whole, there is believe that
the rebel force very strong a along the south bank
the Potomac from little below Alexandra TO Matthias
Point.
Lieutenant Harrell said 70 Master Hannum in nv pre
sence Friday evening, that such affairs tended TO de-
yelope the capabiity of officer and that he was glad
he had been engaged in IT, it gave him experience