Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-10-26
LATE FROM THE MOUTH OF THE mis-.
SISSlPPT

ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE o. s. sLooP-oF WAR
RICHMOND AND A REBEL STEAMER.
We are permitted to copy the following extract
Of private letter giving an account Of an engage
ssippi liver On tie 9th inst three days G prior 70
the attach made by the aFe-ships, bettefing ram.
&c. The letter IL chiefly Interesting az showing
the character OF the annoyances to which our
squadron In those waters IL exposed
U. s. S Richmond, Head Of ths Passes,
MiSsfssippi Rfrsr, Oct IL, 1861 (
vDav before Yesterday oHr ship had sharp en-
gagement with the enemy-a naval action. For
three hours the shell were bursting and whining
around us, but only five took etect-wounding
three, but killing none, thank Heaven! To ex-
plain AT one o'clock a rebel steamer was dis
covered up the river. An hour Afterwards
greatly to our establishment, can assure you
she very plhckily opened fire upon us. At first,
we leug he'd at what we called her fmPEdsncej
but as her shell began to fan around us, and as
we found our heaviest guns failed TO reach her,
things looked dssgreeable. ! will confess, and
frankly tell you, that the first five six shots
that came whining through our rigging made
me tremble all over; my knees knocked together,
my mouth was bound-I could hardly speak,
hardly breathe: | was frightened.
But as soon as we cheat TO quartersn and was
ordered 10 my division. all fear left me. The
shell still whiLzed, but neither heard nor cared
for them. ] was intent upon my duty and az my
division had all the fighting 10 do-being the
only one hearing upon the enemy-l was TOO
much absorbed In the working Of my gun TO think
happy and unconcerned as ever in my life. The
rebel (who blythe by was the New York tugboat
VIM. Webb, armed with four broadsdes and
| two heavy 81 pound rihes,l was our superior, in
asmuch as her guns ranged quite half mile be-
yoDd ours About enc hundred shots were fred
and yet do not think single one Of our shot hit
the enemy.
Half past II D. m Oct. 1.-THE Webb 10 again
In sight, and we are preparing for action. | wish
II was all over, for am exceedingly doubtful Of
the result
Too o'clock p. m-The ship is cleared, and we
have given the enemy eight or ten shots, but she
does not return them. She is evidently 'tplaying
us some trick, }" but we will never " give up the
ship" and IL we only get rifle 42's, (Which
are expected daily,) New Orleans will be ours
before Christmas
Fire o'clock The Webb is out Of sight and
the excitement greatly subsidized, SO will continue
my account Of the first engagement: After firing
from half past one O'Clock until four, the enemy
retired, leaving us as bewildered as we Were
relieved. Besides three shots in our hull, our
mizen topmast backstays were shot away We are
In rather critical position first, draft has
been Increased by six additional guns-the water
on the bar Is low, we cannot cross; second, the
enemy can steam two knots to our one-we can
not fun; third, the enemy's guns range further
than oufs-we cannot fight. These circumstances
Were communicated to the Commodore, who said :,
vi thoroughly appreciate your position, and will
leave myself for Pickens, to obtain some rife
guns When these arrive we can defy all seces-
slondom.-N. Y. Journal of Commerce.