The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-12-31
lsrEcIAI coRaEsroN pKScE Of THE DisPAfcH


s41ss NORFOLK, Dec. 80, 1861.
Saturday night the Confederate steamer
Sen Bird flag steamer of Com mander lynch
went down to Hampton Roads. As she
crossed the harbor coming from the Confede-
rate dock-yaId and passed Town Point, it
was thought by some who saw her that there
was something In the wind She kept on
her course to the Roads, and lay quietly un-
der sSewells Point until yesterday morning
at half-past O'Clock, when the Federal
steamer Express was discerned steaming along
towards Old Point, to wing the schooner Sher-
wood, from Newport News. The Sea Bird i'm
mediateiy started In pursuit, occasionally fir-
ing her long thirty two atshe Federal steam
er. The Express, after receiving Il she'll or two
one OF W hich it is said set hsr on hre-cut
the hAWaer loose and LETT the Sherwood,
which was immediately taken In tow by the
sea Bird, which quickly steamed oil towards
Norfolk, notWl tuo tanning the dangerous
proximity OF Inc Federal men Of War.--
Meanwhile eight ke0erai gun boats anu al
armed transport were sIeAming after her,
emptying tneir heavy guns OF SHOT AID shell
that Went screAas a. spiashinS, bursting,
and ricoeae,ng III direction excepting
OCCASIONALLY whcelings firing from her
bow gun. suddenly, er, the Federal
steamers ound thai - pro in range CT
the guna.at the SeNeE4eoint Batteries,
which " Vled upon them tepIeIdid sly lie.
Of course the gum oats halted Iii the chase
ana turned Gneic attention To the Point,
throwing shot and shell III quick succession,
some OF which tell III various parts or the
eucampment.
The heavy Sawyer gun at the Eip Raps
also opened upon our batteries. "nd soon al
ter the thunder WAS deepeMed Dy powerful
rihed gun at old Cruny Isiana.
The exciting CannOHa0e continued fer
about two ho uis ana a half, the distinct roai
OF the heavy ordnance adAiAS IL deep toned
"thunder base' to LAe pleasant music OF the
"church- going bells"
About matt past nine the Sea Bird pes seq
up TO the Navy Yard, having il tow the
Sherwood, which vas found 10 Dc Loaded
with water, IL tented Tor the thirsty uessians
at Fort Monroe. Only one IMAM was cap
tureu with the prize.
Il is supposed that some OF the Federal
gun boats were somewhat damaged but the
particulars l cannot give. NO person was
injured on Our SIDE. "A stray Gale Ken, how
over, at SeWefs Point, was Struck by the
fragment OF II smell ana killed.
Inc men at the batteries, well as on
board me Confederate siedller, behaved III
most gallant style, ana managed the guns
admirably ana deliberately. THIS exploit OF
The Sea Bila Is justly Considered GaIlng AID
gallant
In an array on Saturday, L private il. the
Sd Georgia regiment, was badly cut III The
side by ano thor soldier. The CNenGing indl-
vluuaI was promptly arrested aEd confined.
On The 27tn the schooner }. +. Crouch, Of
Port Elizabeth, n. j., from Alexandria,
bound TO Day Ion, Mass went ashore on
Pleasure House beach, 4 few miles nor beast
OF this city. The vessel and cargo, consist
ing OF coai,5 viii be total less. A detacn-
Inent CT Hugers artillery Wens down To the
snOre and took charge OF the Captain
(named Hendsr ard the crew, who were
Drought 10 tnls City as prisoners.